News Briefs California
Nick Frey to Retire from Winegrape Commission
Sonoma County Winegrape Commission executive director Nick Frey announced he would retire May 1, after 14 years with the commission. Frey said he would continue to work part time to help the group find his replacement and ensure a smooth transition. Details: sonomawinegrape.org.
Winemaking changes at Peachy Canyon
Josh Beckett, winemaker and son of Peachy Canyon Winery owner Doug Beckett, announced he would move into a consulting role at the Paso Robles winery and hired Terry Culton as winemaker. Culton is the former winemaker at Adelaida Cellars. Beckett remains a partner in Peachy Canyon Winery, though he plans to focus on building his own wine brand, according to a statement released by the winery. Details: peachycanyonwinery.com.
Winery makes first release
Blair Estate winery in Soledad released its first wine—a $35 2010 Pinot Noir from the Blair family’s own Delfina’s Vineyard. More than 200 cases were produced in this initial bottling. The wine also will be available in a new tasting room in Carmel-By-The-Sea. Blair Estate shares the tasting room with Shale Canyon Winery. Details: blairwines.com.
Winemaker promoted at Bryant Family Vineyard
Todd Alexander is the new winemaker at Bryant Family Vineyard, located in the Pritchard Hill area of Napa Valley. Alexander has been the assistant winemaker at the winery since 2010. Details: bryantwines.com.
San Luis Obispo vintners raise funds
The San Luis Obispo vintners group, SLO Wine Country Association, raised $21,690 for Hospice of San Luis Obispo County from an auction that was part of the association’s Rockin’ Harvest event. Details: slowine.com.
Chief operating officer for Starmont
Mark Evans is the new chief operating officer for Merryvale Vineyards’ Starmont Winery in Napa. Before joining Merryvale Vineyards and Starmont, Evans was the managing director at Negociants/Yalumba USA. Details: starmontwinery.com.
Winery Exchange acquires organic portfolio
Novato-based Winery Exchange acquired a portfolio of certified organic and sulfite-free wine brands. The deal includes the Our Daily Red and Orleans Hill labels as well as several private brands that are certified organic and sulfite-free. Details: wineryexchange.com.
Barrett named winemaker at Ladera
Jade Barrett was promoted from associate winemaker to winemaker at Napa Valley’s Ladera Vineyards. Karen Culler, who has overseen winemaking at the winery since its first vintage, will remain a winemaking consultant for Ladera. Details: laderavineyards.com.
Marketing director promotion
Hahn Family Wines in Soledad promoted Joshua Cairns to the position of marketing director. Cairns spent the past five years as the winery’s direct-to-consumer, e-commerce and website manager. Details: hahnfamilywines.com.
New president at O’Shaughnessy
O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery announced the promotion of Sean Capiaux from chief operating officer to president of the Napa Valley winery. Capiaux has served as winemaker for the winery since its inaugural vintage in 2000. Details: oshaughnessywinery.com.
Schweiger appoints new GM
James Eyer is the new general manager of Schweiger Vineyards & Winery. Eyer started at the St. Helena winery as a tasting room associate five years ago. Details: schweigervineyards.com.
Entries sought for Sunset competition
Sunset magazine collected 2,837 entries for its first wine competition and is currently accepting wines for its 2013 contest. The magazine claims 96% of its subscribers are wine drinkers and has a monthly audience of 4.6 million. The online entry fee is $99, and the deadline is March 8. Details: sunset.com.
Winemaking changes at Peachy Canyon
Josh Beckett, winemaker and son of Peachy Canyon Winery owner Doug Beckett, announced he would move into a consulting role at the Paso Robles winery and hired Terry Culton as winemaker. Culton is the former winemaker at Adelaida Cellars. Beckett remains a partner in Peachy Canyon Winery, though he plans to focus on building his own wine brand, according to a statement released by the winery. Details: peachycanyonwinery.com.
Winery makes first release
Blair Estate winery in Soledad released its first wine—a $35 2010 Pinot Noir from the Blair family’s own Delfina’s Vineyard. More than 200 cases were produced in this initial bottling. The wine also will be available in a new tasting room in Carmel-By-The-Sea. Blair Estate shares the tasting room with Shale Canyon Winery. Details: blairwines.com.
Winemaker promoted at Bryant Family Vineyard
Todd Alexander is the new winemaker at Bryant Family Vineyard, located in the Pritchard Hill area of Napa Valley. Alexander has been the assistant winemaker at the winery since 2010. Details: bryantwines.com.
San Luis Obispo vintners raise funds
The San Luis Obispo vintners group, SLO Wine Country Association, raised $21,690 for Hospice of San Luis Obispo County from an auction that was part of the association’s Rockin’ Harvest event. Details: slowine.com.
Chief operating officer for Starmont
Mark Evans is the new chief operating officer for Merryvale Vineyards’ Starmont Winery in Napa. Before joining Merryvale Vineyards and Starmont, Evans was the managing director at Negociants/Yalumba USA. Details: starmontwinery.com.
Winery Exchange acquires organic portfolio
Novato-based Winery Exchange acquired a portfolio of certified organic and sulfite-free wine brands. The deal includes the Our Daily Red and Orleans Hill labels as well as several private brands that are certified organic and sulfite-free. Details: wineryexchange.com.
Barrett named winemaker at Ladera
Jade Barrett was promoted from associate winemaker to winemaker at Napa Valley’s Ladera Vineyards. Karen Culler, who has overseen winemaking at the winery since its first vintage, will remain a winemaking consultant for Ladera. Details: laderavineyards.com.
Marketing director promotion
Hahn Family Wines in Soledad promoted Joshua Cairns to the position of marketing director. Cairns spent the past five years as the winery’s direct-to-consumer, e-commerce and website manager. Details: hahnfamilywines.com.
New president at O’Shaughnessy
O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery announced the promotion of Sean Capiaux from chief operating officer to president of the Napa Valley winery. Capiaux has served as winemaker for the winery since its inaugural vintage in 2000. Details: oshaughnessywinery.com.
Schweiger appoints new GM
James Eyer is the new general manager of Schweiger Vineyards & Winery. Eyer started at the St. Helena winery as a tasting room associate five years ago. Details: schweigervineyards.com.
Entries sought for Sunset competition
Sunset magazine collected 2,837 entries for its first wine competition and is currently accepting wines for its 2013 contest. The magazine claims 96% of its subscribers are wine drinkers and has a monthly audience of 4.6 million. The online entry fee is $99, and the deadline is March 8. Details: sunset.com.
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