News Briefs California
California
Morlet joins Vineyard 7 & 8
Luc Morlet is the new winemaker at Vineyard 7 & 8, Napa Valley. Most recently at Peter Michael Winery and his own Morlet Family Vineyards, he replaces consulting winemaker Larry Langbehn.
Munroe is Lynmar COO
Lynmar winery, Russian River Valley, appointed Gordon Munroe as chief operating officer. Previously, he was president of Bounty Hunter Rare Wines & Provisions Company.
Blackstone's director of winemaking
Blackstone Winery, Kenwood, Sonoma County, appointed Gary Sitton as director of winemaking. Previously, Sitton was with Ravenswood Winery.
Wine Institute partners with travel group
Wine Institute has partnered with the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) to promote the state's wine and cuisine offerings. CTTC studies show that "culinary travelers" are more affluent and travel more than other U.S. travelers, and that California is a favored destination. The five-year partnership will mount a national TV ad campaign featuring Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities.
Voters ratify new Owl Ridge label
Owl Ridge Wines, Sebastopol, Sonoma County, polled some 900 food and wine journalists on their preferences for the label design of its upper-end Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Based on results, owner John Tracy has chosen to use the new label, preferred by 75% of respondents for its richer, more elegant look. He'll continue to bottle his Chardonnays and lower price-point Cabernets with the old, more colorful labels.
ZAP announces new officers
Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) elected Donn Reisen, Ridge Vineyards, president; Bruce Walker, Starry Night Winery, vice president; Duane Dappen, D-Cubed Cellars, secretary; an advocate member, Bernie Scarinzi, is treasurer. For more information, visit zinfandel.org.
Piña has new winemaker
Anna Monticelli was named winemaker for Piña Napa Valley. Previously, she was at Bryant Family Vineyard.
Sonoma co-op expands
The Sonoma County Vintners Co-op in Windsor has leased new facilities, expanding its storage capacity to more than 1.7 million cases, with nearly 300,000 square feet of high bay space. Nick Wilson was recently named manager of warehousing and logistics. For details, visit sonomavintnerscoop.com.
C.G. DiArie buys Kelson Creek
C.G. DiArie owners Chaim and Elisheva Gur-Arieh purchased another Sierra Foothills winery, Kelson Creek, in Amador County's Shenandoah Valley. The acquisition gives C.G. DiArie its first tasting room.
Weinstock is Adobe Road GM
Julie Weinstock was appointed general manager at Adobe Road Winery in Petaluma, Sonoma County. Previously, she was president and COO of Cosentino Signature Wineries; she is currently chair of The Meritage Association.
Wente appoints new VPs
Wente Family Estates, Livermore Valley, appointed Kevin Zollinger vice president of winegrowing; Lisa Bates, vice president of human resources; and Amy Hoopes, vice president of marketing. Zollinger was previously with manufacturer Ultratech, Inc.; Bates and Hoopes, with E. & J. Gallo Winery.
Goelet combines properties
Napa Valley's Clos du Val winery and sister companies in Australia and France are now part of the newly formed Goelet Wine Estates, which will globally market the five brands owned by the Goelet family, including Taltarni Vineyards, Clover Hill and Lalla Gully in Australia, and Domaine de Nizas, France.
Luc Morlet is the new winemaker at Vineyard 7 & 8, Napa Valley. Most recently at Peter Michael Winery and his own Morlet Family Vineyards, he replaces consulting winemaker Larry Langbehn.
Munroe is Lynmar COO
Lynmar winery, Russian River Valley, appointed Gordon Munroe as chief operating officer. Previously, he was president of Bounty Hunter Rare Wines & Provisions Company.
Blackstone's director of winemaking
Blackstone Winery, Kenwood, Sonoma County, appointed Gary Sitton as director of winemaking. Previously, Sitton was with Ravenswood Winery.
Wine Institute partners with travel group
Wine Institute has partnered with the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) to promote the state's wine and cuisine offerings. CTTC studies show that "culinary travelers" are more affluent and travel more than other U.S. travelers, and that California is a favored destination. The five-year partnership will mount a national TV ad campaign featuring Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities.
Voters ratify new Owl Ridge label
Owl Ridge Wines, Sebastopol, Sonoma County, polled some 900 food and wine journalists on their preferences for the label design of its upper-end Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Based on results, owner John Tracy has chosen to use the new label, preferred by 75% of respondents for its richer, more elegant look. He'll continue to bottle his Chardonnays and lower price-point Cabernets with the old, more colorful labels.
ZAP announces new officers
Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) elected Donn Reisen, Ridge Vineyards, president; Bruce Walker, Starry Night Winery, vice president; Duane Dappen, D-Cubed Cellars, secretary; an advocate member, Bernie Scarinzi, is treasurer. For more information, visit zinfandel.org.
Piña has new winemaker
Anna Monticelli was named winemaker for Piña Napa Valley. Previously, she was at Bryant Family Vineyard.
Sonoma co-op expands
The Sonoma County Vintners Co-op in Windsor has leased new facilities, expanding its storage capacity to more than 1.7 million cases, with nearly 300,000 square feet of high bay space. Nick Wilson was recently named manager of warehousing and logistics. For details, visit sonomavintnerscoop.com.
C.G. DiArie buys Kelson Creek
C.G. DiArie owners Chaim and Elisheva Gur-Arieh purchased another Sierra Foothills winery, Kelson Creek, in Amador County's Shenandoah Valley. The acquisition gives C.G. DiArie its first tasting room.
Weinstock is Adobe Road GM
Julie Weinstock was appointed general manager at Adobe Road Winery in Petaluma, Sonoma County. Previously, she was president and COO of Cosentino Signature Wineries; she is currently chair of The Meritage Association.
Wente appoints new VPs
Wente Family Estates, Livermore Valley, appointed Kevin Zollinger vice president of winegrowing; Lisa Bates, vice president of human resources; and Amy Hoopes, vice president of marketing. Zollinger was previously with manufacturer Ultratech, Inc.; Bates and Hoopes, with E. & J. Gallo Winery.
Goelet combines properties
Napa Valley's Clos du Val winery and sister companies in Australia and France are now part of the newly formed Goelet Wine Estates, which will globally market the five brands owned by the Goelet family, including Taltarni Vineyards, Clover Hill and Lalla Gully in Australia, and Domaine de Nizas, France.
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