News Briefs California
San Diego approves tasting rooms
The San Diego Board of Supervisors approved a new ordinance making it easier for grapegrowers to open tasting rooms and establish small wineries. The ordinance sets up a system allowing property owners in agriculture-zoned areas to establish one of four operations, from growing and producing wine and selling off-site to full wineries. The county now has 58 wineries, many concentrated in Ramona and Fallbrook.
Saldivar elected ASEV president
Viticulture consultant Patty Saldivar was confirmed as president for the American Society for Enology and Viticulture’s 2010-11 term, taking over from Christian Butzke, a Purdue University enology professor. Dr. Sara Spayd, North Carolina State University, is first vice president; Leticia Chacon-Rodriguez, second vice president.
Signorello has new operations director
Frank McCormick was named director of operations, a new position at Napa’s 6,000-case Signorello Estate. Previously, he handled direct-to-consumer sales at 100,000-case Dry Creek Vineyards.
Media mavens form Knowbodies
PR/marketing veterans Jan Mettler and Barbara Bowman (Boss Dog Marketing) joined creative director/designer Chris Blum to form Knowbodies, a task force for wine brand differentiation, graphic design, publicity, website development and social networking. Contact: chrisblumdesign@comcast.net or jan@bossdogmarketing.com.
Dragoo is Gargiulo president
Justin Dragoo was appointed president and general manager at 3,500-case Gargiulo Vineyards, Napa. Previously, he was vice president of global technology services at IBM.
Urban wine village in Santa Rosa
Downtown Santa Rosa, Sonoma’s county seat, has a new Urban Winery Village tucked in a strip mall at 1301 Cleveland Ave. Sheldon Wines (1,000 cases) is developing the center with 1,200-case Krutz Family Cellars and 2,000-case MJ Lords Wine Cellars, next to 4,000-case D’Argenzio Winery.
Smith joins Weibel
Weibel Famly Vineyards & Winery, Hopland, hired Owen Smith as director of winemaking for its Hopland and Lodi facilities. Smith was previously senior winemaker for the Toasted Head red wine program for Constellation Wines.
Turley building in Windsor
Cult winemaker Helen Turley plans to build a winery for her 500-case Marcassin Vineyard brand in Conde Business Park near the Sonoma County airport in Windsor. Turley has been making Marcassin in leased space at the Martinelli Vineyards & Winery since 1992.
Lincourt picks winemaker
Lincourt Winery, Solvang, appointed Leslie Mead-Renaud as head winery for the 12,000-case facility owned by Foley Family Wines. Previously, she was winemaker at 35,000-case Talley Vineyards, Arroyo Grande.
Janis MacDonald to head AVWA
The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (AVWA) appointed Janis MacDonald executive director, taking over from Kristy Charles. Charles has stepped down to focus on her family’s Foursight Wines in Boonville, while maintaining her position as president of the AVWA board.
Chronicle is in Henghold’s hands
Mike Henghold, who formed Chronicle Wines during his eight-year tenure at Luna Vineyards, assumed full ownership of Chronicle when he left Luna in July. Winemaker James MacPhail will make the 2010 vintage, expected to be less than 1,000 cases.
Saldivar elected ASEV president
Viticulture consultant Patty Saldivar was confirmed as president for the American Society for Enology and Viticulture’s 2010-11 term, taking over from Christian Butzke, a Purdue University enology professor. Dr. Sara Spayd, North Carolina State University, is first vice president; Leticia Chacon-Rodriguez, second vice president.
Signorello has new operations director
Frank McCormick was named director of operations, a new position at Napa’s 6,000-case Signorello Estate. Previously, he handled direct-to-consumer sales at 100,000-case Dry Creek Vineyards.
Media mavens form Knowbodies
PR/marketing veterans Jan Mettler and Barbara Bowman (Boss Dog Marketing) joined creative director/designer Chris Blum to form Knowbodies, a task force for wine brand differentiation, graphic design, publicity, website development and social networking. Contact: chrisblumdesign@comcast.net or jan@bossdogmarketing.com.
Dragoo is Gargiulo president
Justin Dragoo was appointed president and general manager at 3,500-case Gargiulo Vineyards, Napa. Previously, he was vice president of global technology services at IBM.
Urban wine village in Santa Rosa
Downtown Santa Rosa, Sonoma’s county seat, has a new Urban Winery Village tucked in a strip mall at 1301 Cleveland Ave. Sheldon Wines (1,000 cases) is developing the center with 1,200-case Krutz Family Cellars and 2,000-case MJ Lords Wine Cellars, next to 4,000-case D’Argenzio Winery.
Smith joins Weibel
Weibel Famly Vineyards & Winery, Hopland, hired Owen Smith as director of winemaking for its Hopland and Lodi facilities. Smith was previously senior winemaker for the Toasted Head red wine program for Constellation Wines.
Turley building in Windsor
Cult winemaker Helen Turley plans to build a winery for her 500-case Marcassin Vineyard brand in Conde Business Park near the Sonoma County airport in Windsor. Turley has been making Marcassin in leased space at the Martinelli Vineyards & Winery since 1992.
Lincourt picks winemaker
Lincourt Winery, Solvang, appointed Leslie Mead-Renaud as head winery for the 12,000-case facility owned by Foley Family Wines. Previously, she was winemaker at 35,000-case Talley Vineyards, Arroyo Grande.
Janis MacDonald to head AVWA
The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (AVWA) appointed Janis MacDonald executive director, taking over from Kristy Charles. Charles has stepped down to focus on her family’s Foursight Wines in Boonville, while maintaining her position as president of the AVWA board.
Chronicle is in Henghold’s hands
Mike Henghold, who formed Chronicle Wines during his eight-year tenure at Luna Vineyards, assumed full ownership of Chronicle when he left Luna in July. Winemaker James MacPhail will make the 2010 vintage, expected to be less than 1,000 cases.
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