News Briefs California
California
Executive decisions in California
Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg, named Peggy Furth co-chairman and CEO. She is in the process of divorcing attorney Fred Furth, Chalk Hill founder. Clos Du Val Wine Co. Ltd., Napa, promoted John Clews from vice president of vineyard and winery operations to chief operating officer of production. Castello di Amorosa, Napa Valley, appointed Georg Salzner as president; previously, he was director for Public Gastronomies for Compass Group, Austria. Schramsberg Vineyards, Calistoga, promoted Fred Zammataro from chief financial officer to executive vice president/chief operating officer. Laurent Sarazin was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing.
Nowak heads Sonoma State wine program
Dr. Linda Nowak was appointed director of the Wine Business Program at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park. Nowak, who is in the university's School of Business and Economics, was previously faculty liaison to the wine program's advisory board, and was instrumental in winning approval of SSU's Wine MBA program, the nation's first.
Industry leaders honored
Karen Ross, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, received the Lodi Winegrape Commission's annual Wine Integrity Award for 2008, in recognition of nearly two decades of service to the industry. The San Luis Obispo County industry announced its awards at the California Mid-State Fair: winemaker of the year, William Sheffer, Halter Ranch Vineyard; winegrape grower of the year, Ric Fuller, Shimmin Canyon Vineyard; wine industry person of the year, Jerry Lohr, J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines; posthumous, lifetime achievement, Dennis T. Collins, Treana Winery. The California Exposition and State Fair in Sacramento presented lifetime achievement awards to Mike Grgich, Grgich Hills; Warren Winiarski, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars; and Mary Ann Graf, founder of Vinquiry.
Tasting rooms sprout in North Coast
Foursight Wines broke ground for a new winery and tasting room to be completed by May 2009 in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley. Frank Family Vineyards, Calistoga, opened its new tasting room in an original Craftsman house on Larkmead Lane. Topei Winery, Hopland, opened its new tasting room at 125 Matheson St. in downtown Healdsburg. Joseph Phelps Vineyards, St. Helena, has opened a new guest center at its Freestone Vineyards near the Sonoma Coast. The iconic Napa winery began planting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes on the 100-acre vineyard in 2000.
Fish beefs up Kunde team
Russell Fish joined Kunde Estate Winery & Vineyards in Kenwood as assistant winemaker. Previously, he held a similar position at Wattle Creek Winery.
Alexander Valley's Harry Wetzel dies at 88
Harry Wetzel, who purchased land in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley 45 years ago, planted vineyards, founded Alexander Valley Vineyards and helped establish the appellation, passed away at home Aug. 15. His wife Margaret had died two months previously. Together, they had restored the historic home of the valley's namesake, Cyrus Alexander. Their son, Hank Wetzel, remains general manager. The senior Wetzels were known as philanthropists, and the new emergency room at Healdsburg District Hospital is named in their honor.
Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg, named Peggy Furth co-chairman and CEO. She is in the process of divorcing attorney Fred Furth, Chalk Hill founder. Clos Du Val Wine Co. Ltd., Napa, promoted John Clews from vice president of vineyard and winery operations to chief operating officer of production. Castello di Amorosa, Napa Valley, appointed Georg Salzner as president; previously, he was director for Public Gastronomies for Compass Group, Austria. Schramsberg Vineyards, Calistoga, promoted Fred Zammataro from chief financial officer to executive vice president/chief operating officer. Laurent Sarazin was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing.
Nowak heads Sonoma State wine program
Dr. Linda Nowak was appointed director of the Wine Business Program at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park. Nowak, who is in the university's School of Business and Economics, was previously faculty liaison to the wine program's advisory board, and was instrumental in winning approval of SSU's Wine MBA program, the nation's first.
Industry leaders honored
Karen Ross, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, received the Lodi Winegrape Commission's annual Wine Integrity Award for 2008, in recognition of nearly two decades of service to the industry. The San Luis Obispo County industry announced its awards at the California Mid-State Fair: winemaker of the year, William Sheffer, Halter Ranch Vineyard; winegrape grower of the year, Ric Fuller, Shimmin Canyon Vineyard; wine industry person of the year, Jerry Lohr, J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines; posthumous, lifetime achievement, Dennis T. Collins, Treana Winery. The California Exposition and State Fair in Sacramento presented lifetime achievement awards to Mike Grgich, Grgich Hills; Warren Winiarski, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars; and Mary Ann Graf, founder of Vinquiry.
Tasting rooms sprout in North Coast
Foursight Wines broke ground for a new winery and tasting room to be completed by May 2009 in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley. Frank Family Vineyards, Calistoga, opened its new tasting room in an original Craftsman house on Larkmead Lane. Topei Winery, Hopland, opened its new tasting room at 125 Matheson St. in downtown Healdsburg. Joseph Phelps Vineyards, St. Helena, has opened a new guest center at its Freestone Vineyards near the Sonoma Coast. The iconic Napa winery began planting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes on the 100-acre vineyard in 2000.
Fish beefs up Kunde team
Russell Fish joined Kunde Estate Winery & Vineyards in Kenwood as assistant winemaker. Previously, he held a similar position at Wattle Creek Winery.
Alexander Valley's Harry Wetzel dies at 88
Harry Wetzel, who purchased land in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley 45 years ago, planted vineyards, founded Alexander Valley Vineyards and helped establish the appellation, passed away at home Aug. 15. His wife Margaret had died two months previously. Together, they had restored the historic home of the valley's namesake, Cyrus Alexander. Their son, Hank Wetzel, remains general manager. The senior Wetzels were known as philanthropists, and the new emergency room at Healdsburg District Hospital is named in their honor.
SHARE »
