News Briefs California
California
Spellbound, Medusa name GM
Geoff Whitman was appointed general manager of Folio Fine Wine Partners brands Spellbound and Medusa Wines, Napa. Previously, he managed key national accounts for Constellation Wines.
Sullivan Vineyards has new CEO
Sean Sullivan was named president and CEO of Sullivan Vineyards, Rutherford. He's worked at the family winery for 24 years. Joanna Sullivan, the remaining founding partner, will serve on the board as chairperson for an interim period.
Beaulieu creating private reserve winery
Beaulieu Vineyard, Napa, will build a self-contained winemaking facility devoted solely to production of its flagship Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. It will invest nearly $7 million to create the state-of-the art winery-within-a-winery, expected to be ready for the 2008 crush.
New address for Appellation America
A growing team has instigated a move for Appellation America. The new office is at 1835 First St., Napa, CA 94559. Phone is (888) 345-9463.
Growers plan Earth Day events
The Central Coast Vineyard Team is collaborating with local growers and others to host an Earth Day Food and Wine Festival at the historic Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia on Saturday, Apr. 19. For details, visit earthdayfoodandwine.com. On the North Coast, Iron Horse Vineyards is the setting for Celebrate Earth Day in Green Valley, Sonoma County, on Sunday, Apr. 20, featuring eight local wineries, and keynote speaker Gil Grosvenor, chairman of the National Geographic Society. For details, visit ironhorsevineyards.com.
Mount Eden purchases Cinnabar property
Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery, Saratoga, has sold its mountain estate to Mount Eden Vineyards, and plans to relocate its winemaking facilities to San Jose. The purchase does not include the brand or inventory, and Cinnabar will continue to operate its Saratoga village tasting room.
Camera is Langtry vineyard director
Richard Camera was appointed director of vineyard operations at Langtry Estate & Vineyards, Middletown. He's responsible for managing Langtry's 400 acres of premium vineyards in Lake and Napa counties, and overseeing additional vineyard development on the estate property, as well as redeveloping existing vineyards for sustainable and organic growing in the future. Previously, he was with The Hess Collection Winery.
Entries due soon for women's wine event
Wineries from around the world are invited to submit entries for the second annual National Women's Wine Competition, to be held March 16-19 in Santa Rosa. This 2008 International Women Love It!™ Wines event has a 2,500 wine limit and is open to any commercial wine worldwide. It's said to be the first and only U.S. wine competition judged solely by women. Entry form deadline is Feb. 15. Find details at nwwc.info.
Papers sought for economics conclave
The Western Economic Association is seeking papers and suggestions for wine economics sessions at its annual meeting June 29-July 3 in Honolulu. Bernd Frick, University Paderborn, Germany, will organize the sessions. Contact him at bernd.frick@notes.uni-paderborn.de with your ideas.
Napa vintner to be honored in Oregon
Peter Mondavi, Jr., co-proprietor of Charles Krug Winery, was named 2008 Honorary California Wine Ambassador for the Portland Classic Wines Auction on March 1. Ambassadors are chosen from premium producing wineries representative of their regions. The auction is among the top 10 charity wine auctions in the U.S., and benefits five non-profit organizations serving children and families in the Northwest.
Grower Richard Perry died in car crash
Richard Perry, a Napa Valley grapegrower since 1988, who began producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah wines to bring attention to his Coombsville area, died in a car accident on Nov. 30, at age 65. He and his wife Sheila had sold their vineyards in 2005 to semi-retire in the Sierra Foothills, where the accident occurred. He is survived by Sheila, who plans to continue making Richard Perry wines; four children, two stepchildren, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Patrick Healy dead at 59
Patrick Healy, a 30-year employee of Fetzer Vineyards and early advocate of sustainable winegrowing, died of cancer on Nov. 10. Starting as manager of Fetzer's Hopland tasting room, he went on to help the winery become a "zero waste" company and early adopter of on-site solar power and clean energy. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte, son Aran and family friend Elisja Wilhite.
Geoff Whitman was appointed general manager of Folio Fine Wine Partners brands Spellbound and Medusa Wines, Napa. Previously, he managed key national accounts for Constellation Wines.
Sullivan Vineyards has new CEO
Sean Sullivan was named president and CEO of Sullivan Vineyards, Rutherford. He's worked at the family winery for 24 years. Joanna Sullivan, the remaining founding partner, will serve on the board as chairperson for an interim period.
Beaulieu creating private reserve winery
Beaulieu Vineyard, Napa, will build a self-contained winemaking facility devoted solely to production of its flagship Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. It will invest nearly $7 million to create the state-of-the art winery-within-a-winery, expected to be ready for the 2008 crush.
New address for Appellation America
A growing team has instigated a move for Appellation America. The new office is at 1835 First St., Napa, CA 94559. Phone is (888) 345-9463.
Growers plan Earth Day events
The Central Coast Vineyard Team is collaborating with local growers and others to host an Earth Day Food and Wine Festival at the historic Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia on Saturday, Apr. 19. For details, visit earthdayfoodandwine.com. On the North Coast, Iron Horse Vineyards is the setting for Celebrate Earth Day in Green Valley, Sonoma County, on Sunday, Apr. 20, featuring eight local wineries, and keynote speaker Gil Grosvenor, chairman of the National Geographic Society. For details, visit ironhorsevineyards.com.
Mount Eden purchases Cinnabar property
Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery, Saratoga, has sold its mountain estate to Mount Eden Vineyards, and plans to relocate its winemaking facilities to San Jose. The purchase does not include the brand or inventory, and Cinnabar will continue to operate its Saratoga village tasting room.
Camera is Langtry vineyard director
Richard Camera was appointed director of vineyard operations at Langtry Estate & Vineyards, Middletown. He's responsible for managing Langtry's 400 acres of premium vineyards in Lake and Napa counties, and overseeing additional vineyard development on the estate property, as well as redeveloping existing vineyards for sustainable and organic growing in the future. Previously, he was with The Hess Collection Winery.
Entries due soon for women's wine event
Wineries from around the world are invited to submit entries for the second annual National Women's Wine Competition, to be held March 16-19 in Santa Rosa. This 2008 International Women Love It!™ Wines event has a 2,500 wine limit and is open to any commercial wine worldwide. It's said to be the first and only U.S. wine competition judged solely by women. Entry form deadline is Feb. 15. Find details at nwwc.info.
Papers sought for economics conclave
The Western Economic Association is seeking papers and suggestions for wine economics sessions at its annual meeting June 29-July 3 in Honolulu. Bernd Frick, University Paderborn, Germany, will organize the sessions. Contact him at bernd.frick@notes.uni-paderborn.de with your ideas.
Napa vintner to be honored in Oregon
Peter Mondavi, Jr., co-proprietor of Charles Krug Winery, was named 2008 Honorary California Wine Ambassador for the Portland Classic Wines Auction on March 1. Ambassadors are chosen from premium producing wineries representative of their regions. The auction is among the top 10 charity wine auctions in the U.S., and benefits five non-profit organizations serving children and families in the Northwest.
Grower Richard Perry died in car crash
Richard Perry, a Napa Valley grapegrower since 1988, who began producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah wines to bring attention to his Coombsville area, died in a car accident on Nov. 30, at age 65. He and his wife Sheila had sold their vineyards in 2005 to semi-retire in the Sierra Foothills, where the accident occurred. He is survived by Sheila, who plans to continue making Richard Perry wines; four children, two stepchildren, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Patrick Healy dead at 59
Patrick Healy, a 30-year employee of Fetzer Vineyards and early advocate of sustainable winegrowing, died of cancer on Nov. 10. Starting as manager of Fetzer's Hopland tasting room, he went on to help the winery become a "zero waste" company and early adopter of on-site solar power and clean energy. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte, son Aran and family friend Elisja Wilhite.
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