Russian River Valley Winegrowers elected its 2010 officers: president Valerie Wathen, Dutton-Goldfield; vice president Nick Leras, Leras Vineyards; second vice president John Holdredge, Holdredge Wines; secretary Carol Kozlowski, Kozlowski Farms; treasurer Saralee McClelland Kunde, Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s Vineyard.

Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association’s 2010 officers are: president James Pickworth, Jackson Family; vice president Sabrine Rodems, Wrath Wines; secretary Paul Johnson, Lockwood; treasurer Michael Marcus, member-at-large.

Sacramento-based National Grape and Wine Initiative elected chair John Martini, Anthony Road Vineyards, Yates County, N.Y.; vice chair Vicky Scharlau, Washington Association of Winegrape Growers; secretary/treasurer Richard Smith, Paraiso Vineyards, Monterey County, Calif.

McMahon is Luna winemaker
Luna Vineyards, Napa, promoted Jim McMahon to winemaker, replacing Mike Drash who left to form his own brand. McMahon was assistant winemaker since 2006 at the 40,000-case winery.

Danza del Sol launches in Temecula
Danza del Sol (sun dance), owned by software developer Bob Olson, has taken over the former Filsinger Winery in Temecula. Winemaker Michael Tingley will concentrate on Mediterranean varietals at the 3,000-case facility. New packaging developed by Britton Design, Sonoma Valley, features a yellow sun.

Stevenot brand changes hands
Stevenot Winery, Murphys, was sold to Oliveto Distributing Inc., Amador. The 20,000-case brand, its Main Street tasting room and wine club were formerly owned by the Munari family, which purchased it from founder Barden Stevenot in 2006. Chuck Hovey will return as Stevenot winemaker.

Bevill oversees Hanna vineyards
Duff Bevill and his Bevill Vineyard & Estate Management (BVM) were contracted to manager 140 acres of Hanna Vineyards and Winery estate vineyard, including Red Ranch, Alexander Valley, and Slusser Road and Home Ranch in Russian River Valley. BVM manages 1,000 vineyard acres in Sonoma County, employing 125.

Another master distiller at Charbay
Miles Karakasevic, 12th generation European grand master distiller and proprietor of Charbay Winery & Distillery, St. Helena, declared his son Marko a master distiller by virtue of his solo production and sale of his first case of Doubled & Twisted whiskey, following a 26-year apprenticeship. The 1,000-case Charbay produces table and dessert wines, liqueurs, grappa, brandy and other distilled spirits.