News Briefs California
California
Napa group to restore 'ghost' winery
The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) hopes to restore the Jackse Winery in St. Helena and transform it into a permanent home for the organization. The now-dilapidated structure was St. Helena's first winery, and is situated on a 1.5-acre parcel. With city approval likely, NVV expects to shell out about $3.35 million for the property, sell off two parcels for $1.5 million, and invest another $4.7 million in construction. NVV has $4.8 million on hand and other funds available for the project.
Kunde schedules eco-tours
Kunde Estate, Kenwood, released a schedule of Eco-Green Tours and Sustainable Winegrowing Hikes, which will run through December. Added to the schedule this year is a May 10 dog-friendly date, when wine lovers can walk their dogs through the vineyards. For details about the events, which will benefit local charities, visit kunde.com.
Sonoma wine and tourism agencies unite
The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, Sonoma County Vintners and the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau joined forces to hire Calhoun Company Communications to represent them nationally in a PR effort to build awareness of the county as a premier wine and travel destination.
Eight wineries join San Francisco venue
Press Club opened in April on Yerba Buena Lane in downtown San Francisco. The 9,000-square-foot venue will host daily tastings with representatives of Chateau Montelena, Fritz and Hanna wineries, Landmark, Miner Family and Mount Eden vineyards, Pahlmeyer and Saintsbury. Gourmet food offerings, educational events, wine club memberships and direct shipping are available. For details, visit pressclubsf.com.
Winemaker joins planning commission
Steve Pessagno, proprietor and winemaker for Pessagno Winery, Salinas Valley, was appointed to a four-year term on the Monterey County planning commission. His wine industry expertise was considered a key factor in the appointment, because of the industry's importance to the county.
Vine Village celebrates 35 years
Vine Village, the Napa program for those with developmental disabilities, will celebrate its 35th anniversary with its annual celebration July 25. Donations of items, gift certificates, activities or services are sought for the auction; sponsors and advertisers are needed, and the public is invited to attend. For details, visit vinevillage.org.
Langtry has a new president
Langtry Estate & Vineyards, Middletown, appointed Tim Matz as president, replacing Easton Manson, who remains chairman of the board. Previously, Matz was president of Jackson Wine Estates International.
New assistant winemaker at Donati
Denise Valoff was named assistant winemaker at Donati Family Vineyard in Paso Robles. Previously, she was sampling technician and lab manager for Courtside Cellars.
Montoya promoted at Piña
Former cellar master Macario Montoya was promoted to assistant winemaker at Piña Napa Valley, reporting to winemaker Anna Monticelli.
Octagon Group adds consultants
The Octagon Group, Sonoma strategic planning consultants, added Janet Church, Kenneth Churchill and Christine Martin to its team, which includes Dennis Black, Steve Burns, George Christie, Kent Humphrey, Elizabeth Slater, Barbara Stiling and Bill Traverso. Church is a technology veteran; Churchill is an expert in business development and management; Martin is founder of marketing design studio Firefly Creative Company. For more information, visit octagongroup.biz.
Paso's Dennis Collins died in March
Dennis T. Collins, general manager of Treana Winery in Paso Robles, died of cancer March 27 at age 60. A Modesto native, Collins began his long wine industry career working in quality control at E. & J. Gallo Winery there. Later, he founded Vintner Supply Co., which eventually became part of Bronco Wine Co. He became director of Bronco's export program, and he lived in Copenhagen during that period. He joined Treana in 2002, was a board member of Wine Institute, and as a member of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, was named Paso Robles Wine Industry person of the year in 2005. He is survived by his wife Kathy, sons Tennyson and Carter, daughter Amanda, father Roy, and sister Deborah Gonsalves. Donations can be made to the Collins/Salisbury Eagle Scout Scholarship, in care of Boy Scout Troop 60, P.O. Box 940, Paso Robles, CA 03447.
The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) hopes to restore the Jackse Winery in St. Helena and transform it into a permanent home for the organization. The now-dilapidated structure was St. Helena's first winery, and is situated on a 1.5-acre parcel. With city approval likely, NVV expects to shell out about $3.35 million for the property, sell off two parcels for $1.5 million, and invest another $4.7 million in construction. NVV has $4.8 million on hand and other funds available for the project.
Kunde schedules eco-tours
Kunde Estate, Kenwood, released a schedule of Eco-Green Tours and Sustainable Winegrowing Hikes, which will run through December. Added to the schedule this year is a May 10 dog-friendly date, when wine lovers can walk their dogs through the vineyards. For details about the events, which will benefit local charities, visit kunde.com.
Sonoma wine and tourism agencies unite
The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, Sonoma County Vintners and the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau joined forces to hire Calhoun Company Communications to represent them nationally in a PR effort to build awareness of the county as a premier wine and travel destination.
Eight wineries join San Francisco venue
Press Club opened in April on Yerba Buena Lane in downtown San Francisco. The 9,000-square-foot venue will host daily tastings with representatives of Chateau Montelena, Fritz and Hanna wineries, Landmark, Miner Family and Mount Eden vineyards, Pahlmeyer and Saintsbury. Gourmet food offerings, educational events, wine club memberships and direct shipping are available. For details, visit pressclubsf.com.
Winemaker joins planning commission
Steve Pessagno, proprietor and winemaker for Pessagno Winery, Salinas Valley, was appointed to a four-year term on the Monterey County planning commission. His wine industry expertise was considered a key factor in the appointment, because of the industry's importance to the county.
Vine Village celebrates 35 years
Vine Village, the Napa program for those with developmental disabilities, will celebrate its 35th anniversary with its annual celebration July 25. Donations of items, gift certificates, activities or services are sought for the auction; sponsors and advertisers are needed, and the public is invited to attend. For details, visit vinevillage.org.
Langtry has a new president
Langtry Estate & Vineyards, Middletown, appointed Tim Matz as president, replacing Easton Manson, who remains chairman of the board. Previously, Matz was president of Jackson Wine Estates International.
New assistant winemaker at Donati
Denise Valoff was named assistant winemaker at Donati Family Vineyard in Paso Robles. Previously, she was sampling technician and lab manager for Courtside Cellars.
Montoya promoted at Piña
Former cellar master Macario Montoya was promoted to assistant winemaker at Piña Napa Valley, reporting to winemaker Anna Monticelli.
Octagon Group adds consultants
The Octagon Group, Sonoma strategic planning consultants, added Janet Church, Kenneth Churchill and Christine Martin to its team, which includes Dennis Black, Steve Burns, George Christie, Kent Humphrey, Elizabeth Slater, Barbara Stiling and Bill Traverso. Church is a technology veteran; Churchill is an expert in business development and management; Martin is founder of marketing design studio Firefly Creative Company. For more information, visit octagongroup.biz.
Paso's Dennis Collins died in March
Dennis T. Collins, general manager of Treana Winery in Paso Robles, died of cancer March 27 at age 60. A Modesto native, Collins began his long wine industry career working in quality control at E. & J. Gallo Winery there. Later, he founded Vintner Supply Co., which eventually became part of Bronco Wine Co. He became director of Bronco's export program, and he lived in Copenhagen during that period. He joined Treana in 2002, was a board member of Wine Institute, and as a member of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, was named Paso Robles Wine Industry person of the year in 2005. He is survived by his wife Kathy, sons Tennyson and Carter, daughter Amanda, father Roy, and sister Deborah Gonsalves. Donations can be made to the Collins/Salisbury Eagle Scout Scholarship, in care of Boy Scout Troop 60, P.O. Box 940, Paso Robles, CA 03447.
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