News Briefs California
CALIFORNIA
A Valentine for Scion
Marketing and sales executive Erica Valentine has joined Napa's Scion Advisors as a senior associate. She'll work with business owners to advance their objectives, develop long-term strategies and shape go-to-market plans. In 25 years in the wine industry, Valentine has worked with Seagram Chateau and Estates, Constellation's Icon Estates; Shafer, Markham, Hanzell and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, as well as top international brands.
Hearthstone opens Paso tasting room
Hearthstone Vineyard and Winery opened a 1,000-square-foot tasting room on Vineyard Drive in Paso Robles. The intimate venue has a small adjacent vineyard. Hearthstone has vineyards in the Adelaida area west of Paso Robles, and makes its wines at Denner Winery, near the tasting room.
Changes at J. Lohr
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Paso Robles and San Jose, promoted Jeff Meier to executive vice president/COO of J. Lohr Winery. Previously, he was senior vice president of winemaking. Senior vice president of planning and development Steve Lohr will have complementary responsibilities as executive vice president/COO of J. Lohr Vineyards. Owner Jerry Lohr remains president and board chairman.
Boisset launches PET bottle
Burgundy-based Boisset Family Estates, owner of DeLoach in Sonoma County, introduced Fog Mountain California Merlot in a 1-liter PET plastic bottle. Retailing for about $12 per liter, the wine is available nationally at JW Marriott hotels and off-premise at Total Wine stores.
Fontanellas open Napa winery
Jeff and Karen Fontanella opened a new winery on Mt. Veeder. The 8,000-case Fontanella Family Winery also serves as a custom crush. Winemaker Jeff Fontanella had previously worked at ZD, Opus One and Saddleback Cellars. Karen, a real estate attorney, secured the financing and permitting, and now handles sales and business. Learn more at fontanellawinery.com.
Old Sugar Mill has new owner
The Old Sugar Mill, Clarksburg, was purchased by Koy Builders, Pomona, Calif. Former owner John Carvalho, who restored the now-75-year-old landmark in 2000, continues to operate the Clarksburg Wine Company and Carvalho Family Winery, both tenants of the Old Sugar Mill. He's in discussions with Koy regarding an ownership stake in the Clarksburg Wine Co. Four other wineries are housed in the mill: Heringer Estates, The Solomon Wine Company, Todd Taylor Wines and Three Wines, owned by Sonoma transplant Matt Cline.
Napa farmers show other side
Once again, 14 members of the Napa County Farm Bureau, including numerous prominent grapegrowers and vintners, have bared almost all to help preserve agricultural land. The 2010 Napa Uncovered calendar is available for $23; limited autographed copies were offered at $40. See it and buy at napauncovered.com.
Inaugural release from Dane Cellars
Dane Cellars, Sonoma Valley, released its first wines including 2006 Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker and owner Bart Hansen, who has worked for Kenwood Vineyards, Benziger Family Winery and still helps produce Lasseter Family Vineyards wines from organically grown grapes, sourced grapes for his 250-case brand from sustainably farmed vines at the foot of Sonoma Mountain.
Martin will consult
Tina Martin, former sales and marketing manager for Flowers Vineyard and Winery, Keller Estate and Hanzell Vineyards, has started a consulting business focused on brand building, distribution expansion and winery sales and marketing. Contact her at (707) 542-8424.
Reha named Orfila winemaker
Don Reha has joined Orfila Vineyards & Winery, Escondido, succeeding Leon Santoro, who died in January. A specialist in Rhône and Italian-style wines, Reha was most recently winemaker at Thornton Winery in Temecula.
Marketing and sales executive Erica Valentine has joined Napa's Scion Advisors as a senior associate. She'll work with business owners to advance their objectives, develop long-term strategies and shape go-to-market plans. In 25 years in the wine industry, Valentine has worked with Seagram Chateau and Estates, Constellation's Icon Estates; Shafer, Markham, Hanzell and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, as well as top international brands.
Hearthstone opens Paso tasting room
Hearthstone Vineyard and Winery opened a 1,000-square-foot tasting room on Vineyard Drive in Paso Robles. The intimate venue has a small adjacent vineyard. Hearthstone has vineyards in the Adelaida area west of Paso Robles, and makes its wines at Denner Winery, near the tasting room.
Changes at J. Lohr
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Paso Robles and San Jose, promoted Jeff Meier to executive vice president/COO of J. Lohr Winery. Previously, he was senior vice president of winemaking. Senior vice president of planning and development Steve Lohr will have complementary responsibilities as executive vice president/COO of J. Lohr Vineyards. Owner Jerry Lohr remains president and board chairman.
Boisset launches PET bottle
Burgundy-based Boisset Family Estates, owner of DeLoach in Sonoma County, introduced Fog Mountain California Merlot in a 1-liter PET plastic bottle. Retailing for about $12 per liter, the wine is available nationally at JW Marriott hotels and off-premise at Total Wine stores.
Fontanellas open Napa winery
Jeff and Karen Fontanella opened a new winery on Mt. Veeder. The 8,000-case Fontanella Family Winery also serves as a custom crush. Winemaker Jeff Fontanella had previously worked at ZD, Opus One and Saddleback Cellars. Karen, a real estate attorney, secured the financing and permitting, and now handles sales and business. Learn more at fontanellawinery.com.
Old Sugar Mill has new owner
The Old Sugar Mill, Clarksburg, was purchased by Koy Builders, Pomona, Calif. Former owner John Carvalho, who restored the now-75-year-old landmark in 2000, continues to operate the Clarksburg Wine Company and Carvalho Family Winery, both tenants of the Old Sugar Mill. He's in discussions with Koy regarding an ownership stake in the Clarksburg Wine Co. Four other wineries are housed in the mill: Heringer Estates, The Solomon Wine Company, Todd Taylor Wines and Three Wines, owned by Sonoma transplant Matt Cline.
Napa farmers show other side
Once again, 14 members of the Napa County Farm Bureau, including numerous prominent grapegrowers and vintners, have bared almost all to help preserve agricultural land. The 2010 Napa Uncovered calendar is available for $23; limited autographed copies were offered at $40. See it and buy at napauncovered.com.
Inaugural release from Dane Cellars
Dane Cellars, Sonoma Valley, released its first wines including 2006 Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker and owner Bart Hansen, who has worked for Kenwood Vineyards, Benziger Family Winery and still helps produce Lasseter Family Vineyards wines from organically grown grapes, sourced grapes for his 250-case brand from sustainably farmed vines at the foot of Sonoma Mountain.
Martin will consult
Tina Martin, former sales and marketing manager for Flowers Vineyard and Winery, Keller Estate and Hanzell Vineyards, has started a consulting business focused on brand building, distribution expansion and winery sales and marketing. Contact her at (707) 542-8424.
Reha named Orfila winemaker
Don Reha has joined Orfila Vineyards & Winery, Escondido, succeeding Leon Santoro, who died in January. A specialist in Rhône and Italian-style wines, Reha was most recently winemaker at Thornton Winery in Temecula.
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