News Briefs California
Coppola acquires Inglenook name and appoints new winemaker
Francis Ford Coppola’s 20,000-case Rubicon Estate in Rutherford will be known by its historic original name, Inglenook, the trademark for which was acquired from The Wine Group. This summer, Bordeaux winemaker Philippe Bascaules will assume the position of estate manager and winemaker at the newly renamed Inglenook. Gustave Niebaum founded the Inglenook winery in 1879.
‘Mommy’ wines may battle in court
Clos La Chance, a 60,000-case estate winery in the Central Coast AVA, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in response to a challenge from Selective Wine Estates. Attorneys for Selective, an importer/distributor based in East Hanover, N.J., sent a series of letters claiming that MommyJuice, a Clos La Chance label, infringes on Selective’s trademark for two Italian imports labeled Mommy’s Time Out.
VML debuts in Russian River Valley
VML Winery has opened its doors on Westside Road in Healdsburg, Sonoma County. Winemaker Virginia Marie Lambrix, whose initials make up the winery’s name, will focus on vineyard-designated Pinot Noir and Chardonnay made from sustainable and organically grown vineyards. The winery represents a partnership with Bill Hambrecht, Phil Hurst, Mark De Meulenaere and Paul and Heath Dolan. Visit: vmlwine.com.
Kosta Browne goes to town
Kosta Browne, the 11,000-case Pinot Noir producer, announced plans to occupy a brand new, state-of-the-art winery in The Barlow, a former apple factory located in the center of downtown Sebastopol. Construction is set to begin this year, with a grand opening slated for fall 2012. Visit: kostabrowne.com.
Monterey weaves web database
The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association recently launched an online database featuring its varied American Viticulture Areas, member producers and 42 winegrape varietals. The database is accessible at montereywines.org under the “Find Your Favorite” header.
‘Mommy’ wines may battle in court
Clos La Chance, a 60,000-case estate winery in the Central Coast AVA, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in response to a challenge from Selective Wine Estates. Attorneys for Selective, an importer/distributor based in East Hanover, N.J., sent a series of letters claiming that MommyJuice, a Clos La Chance label, infringes on Selective’s trademark for two Italian imports labeled Mommy’s Time Out.
VML debuts in Russian River Valley
VML Winery has opened its doors on Westside Road in Healdsburg, Sonoma County. Winemaker Virginia Marie Lambrix, whose initials make up the winery’s name, will focus on vineyard-designated Pinot Noir and Chardonnay made from sustainable and organically grown vineyards. The winery represents a partnership with Bill Hambrecht, Phil Hurst, Mark De Meulenaere and Paul and Heath Dolan. Visit: vmlwine.com.
Kosta Browne goes to town
Kosta Browne, the 11,000-case Pinot Noir producer, announced plans to occupy a brand new, state-of-the-art winery in The Barlow, a former apple factory located in the center of downtown Sebastopol. Construction is set to begin this year, with a grand opening slated for fall 2012. Visit: kostabrowne.com.
Monterey weaves web database
The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association recently launched an online database featuring its varied American Viticulture Areas, member producers and 42 winegrape varietals. The database is accessible at montereywines.org under the “Find Your Favorite” header.
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