Wines & Vines back issues from January 2008:
Do 'AVA owners' have rights? Vintners and growers should comment on TTB notices.(EDITOR'S LETTER)
Jan 01, 2008; ... The TTB took a little pressure off its proposed AVA regulation overhaul in December when it extended the comment period on two controversial notices until March 20, 2008. This was a good move. But it also extends the period of limbo for proposed AVAs seeking approval, which is not good for ...
A truly dynamic topic.(READERS' MAIL)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Enjoyed your article on Biodynamics ("Uncovering Biodynamic Wine," Rudi Graeter, December). As a Biodynamic wine producer in Central Otago, New Zealand, we obviously have a vested interest. You mentioned labels that say "wine produced from organically grown grapes" and you seemed puzzled ...
Basic biology.(READERS' MAIL)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2008; ... I just got around to reading your September article on yeast and alcohol production ("Inquiring Winemaker," Tim Patterson). Sad to say, I too was one of those misguided winemakers wistfully longing for the good old days when yeasts just weren't so darned efficient. Oh well, even a good ...
Doin' it in the city.(READERS' MAIL)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Small winemakers are applauding your article "Urban Economics" (Tim Patterson, October). Six years ago my husband and I opened the first winery in the city of Campbell in an industrial building site. Were we crazy? Not really .... Almost seven years later, we have doubled our ...
Never too late for a kind word.(READERS' MAIL)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2008; ... I am finally catching up with my reading and saw your story in the July issue on pitching stories to wine trade pubs ("Marketing Matters," Tina Caputo). That little story was a great service to those of us in PR, who do try to communicate relevant and ...
Changes for AVA applications: comments sought on Calistoga AVA and approval process.(Headlines)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Washington, D.C. -- The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued notices on Nov. 20, seeking public comments about two important rulemaking proposals relating to issues that have sparked controversy throughout the U.S. wine industry. Notice No. 77 suggests a ...
Numbers: pages in January issues of Wines & Vines.(Headlines)
Jan 01, 2008 ... 2008: 180 2000: 150 ...
Riesling producers unite.(NEWS BYTES)
Jan 01, 2008 ... An international group of Riesling producers has formed an organization to promote the variety throughout the world. In addition to promoting consumer education, the International Riesling Foundation (IRF), will work to improve cooperation and communication among ...
Nomacorc and UC research.(NEWS BYTES)(UC Davis)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Synthetic wine closure producer Nomacorc has initiated a multi-year project with UC Davis, along with INRA, Montpellier, France; and the Australian Wine Research Institute. The study will focus on how oxygen transfer through closures influences the ...
Staten Island vineyards.(NEWS BYTES)
Jan 01, 2008 ... A 2-acre commercial winegrape vineyard dedicated to Tuscan varieties is being planned at the Staten Island Botanical Garden. The not-for-profit organization behind the project also will build a winery on the site. The land ...
UC Davis gets $12.5 million: Rossi estate sells vineyard to Frog's Leap, donates proceeds.(Headlines)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Davis, Calif. -- Frog's Leap Winery has purchased 52 acres of prime Ruther-ford vineyard, with the $12.5 million proceeds going to the UC Davis department of viticulture and enology. The donation is one of the largest gifts ever received by UC Davis. The deal transpired when ...
River restoration milestone: Napa growers, vintners protect vines and wildlife.(Headlines)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Rutherford, Calif. -- Grapegrowers who own property along the Napa River in Rutherford are celebrating a milestone in their five-year effort to restore two miles of the flood-prone stream. Members of the Rutherford Dust Society, an association of vintners and growers, gathered with local ...
Sonoma growers appeal to regulators: self-assessments may help clarify water quality regulations.(Headlines)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Santa Rosa, Calif. -- In Sonoma County, 316 organizations that farm more than 40,000 of the county's 60,000 acres of grapes have submitted self-assessment data for inclusion in the statewide "Code of Sustainable Winegrowing" report, and they hope their responses may help influence future ...
Annual '100' lists favor U.S.: U.S. dominates 2007 Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast lists.(Headlines)
Jan 01, 2008; ... San Rafael, Calif. -- Each fall, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines release their rosters of 100 of the year's most highly rated, exciting wines. More than 25% of the wines on Wine Spectator's 2007 Top 100 List are from the United States--including four each from Washington and ...
Coppola demolishes barrel building: view of historic Inglenook chateau to be restored.(Headlines)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Rutherford, Calif. -- On Dec. 13, Francis Ford Coppola took the first symbolic blows to demolish a concrete barrel storage building that had obscured the view of the historic Inglenook chateau in Rutherford since 1975. It was the final major step in his goal of restoring the winery ...
Spellbound, Medusa name GM.(CALIFORNIA)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Geoff Whitman was appointed general manager of Folio Fine Wine Partners brands Spellbound ...
Sullivan Vineyards has new CEO.(CALIFORNIA)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Sean Sullivan was named president and CEO of Sullivan Vineyards, Rutherford. He's worked at the family winery for 24 ...
Beaulieu creating private reserve winery.(CALIFORNIA)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Beaulieu Vineyard, Napa, will build a self-contained winemaking facility devoted solely to production of its flagship Georges de Latour Private ...
New address for Appellation America.(CALIFORNIA)
Jan 01, 2008 ... A growing team has instigated a move for Appellation America. The new ...
Growers plan Earth Day events.(CALIFORNIA)
Jan 01, 2008 ... 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, ...
Mount Eden purchases Cinnabar property.(CALIFORNIA)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery, Saratoga, has sold its mountain estate to Mount Eden Vineyards, and plans to relocate its winemaking ...
Camera is Langtry vineyard director.(CALIFORNIA)
Jan 01, 2008 ... 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 ...
Entries due soon for women's wine event.(CALIFORNIA)
Jan 01, 2008 ... 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![TM] Wines ...
Papers sought for economics conclave.(CALIFORNIA)
Jan 01, 2008 ... The Western Economic Association is seeking papers and suggestions for wine economics sessions at its annual meeting June 29-July 3 in ...
Napa vintner to be honored in Oregon.(CALIFORNIA)
Jan 01, 2008 ... 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 ...
Grower Richard Perry died in car crash.(CALIFORNIA)
Jan 01, 2008 ... 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 ...
Patrick Healy dead at 59.(CALIFORNIA)(Obituary)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... 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 ...
Columbia Winery leaving Woodinville.(NORTHWEST)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Columbia Winery, one of Washington's oldest and best known producers, is moving its winemaking operations to Sunnyside, in Eastern Washington's Yakima ...
Oregon offers untraditional wine tours.(NORTHWEST)
Jan 01, 2008 ... The Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County, Ore., Travel Salem and the Willamette Valley Visitors Association have partnered with Zephyr Wine Adventures to package active tourism in the state's premier winegrowing region ....
Walla Walla visits New York next month.(NORTHWEST)
Jan 01, 2008 ... The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance is taking its TASTE Walla Walla[R] road show back to Manhattan for the second consecutive year on Feb. 4. Trade ...
Honeywood has new sales chief.(NORTHWEST)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Honeywood Winery, Salem, Ore., appointed Stanley Tobiason III to the newly created position of director ...
Educator Stan Clarke died Nov. 29.(NORTHWEST)(Obituary)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Stan Clarke was active in the Washington wine industry since the 1970s; he died unexpectedly at his home at age 57. After earning a B.S. degree in viticulture from UC Davis, he began his career at Chateau Ste. Michelle, helped found Quail Run--now Covey Run--and worked as winemaker and ...
Tennessee wholesaler is 60 years old.(CENTRAL)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Horizon Wine & Spirits, Nashville, marked its 60 years as a family-owned business by breaking ground for a 140,000-square-foot warehouse and office, and ...
Chicago wine shop is high on innovation.(CENTRAL)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Just Grapes, a Chicago wine shop, launched the Midwest's first digital, interactive wine guide. Hosted by owner Don Sritong, GrapeTube is a video blog and personal wine guide for consumers that uses digital interaction to simplify ...
Michigan industry to meet next month.(CENTRAL)
Jan 01, 2008 ... The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council will hold its annual industry meeting Feb. 27-29 in Thompsonville, Mich. The event will include exhibits, panel discussions, focused tastings, ...
New Midwest sales manager for Hall.(CENTRAL)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Hall Winery, St. Helena, Calif., hired Rachel Wesley as its Midwest regional sales manager. Based in Chicago, Wesley is responsible for sales, brand development and distributor management in Texas, ...
Shawangunk wine trail to host events.(EAST)
Jan 01, 2008 ... The 10-member wine trail in New York's Hudson River Valley announced its 2008 schedule of events, starting with "Pasta Primo Vino" April 19-20 to benefit the Hudson Valley Food Bank. June 14-15, go "Around the World" when wineries transform themselves ...
Long Island winery buys neighbor.(EAST)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Macari Vineyards & Winery purchased Galluccio Family Wineries' 41-acre property in December, for a reported $2.38 million in December. Both are ...
Seminars featured at Boston Wine Expo.(EAST)
Jan 01, 2008 ... The nation's largest consumer wine event is scheduled for Feb. 9 and 10 at the Seaport World Trade Center and Seaport Hotel. Keynote speaker is ...
Shelton puts a Wineometer on back label.(EAST)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Shelton Vineyards, in North Carolina's Yadkin Valley, has added a "Wineometer" to its back labels: a pair of bar graphs with a 1-10 point numerical scale. One graph depicts ...
Ben Franklin expands to Northwest.(SUPPLIERS)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Napa-based Ben Franklin Press & Label Co. hired Tom Jacobs to head sales efforts at its new ...
TricorBraun employee is honored.(SUPPLIERS)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Theresa Duricek, project manager, Internet applications at TricorBraun's St. Louis, Mo., headquarters, was awarded the title of Certified Packaging Professional by the ...
Artisan hires first regional sales manager.(SUPPLIERS)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Artisan Barrels/Aubin Cellars, Oakland, Calif. cooperage, appointed Gerhard Ziemer as its first regional sales manager, concentrating on California's Bay ...
ZORK equips bottlers.(SUPPLIERS)
Jan 01, 2008 ... ZORK USA, Napa, Calif. producer of the ZORK alternative wine closure, partnered with three bottlers, providing equipment so that California wineries can utilize the product. Sonoma Wine Co., which operates in the Napa/Sonoma region; Top It Off Bottling, ...
Summit Engineering promotes Yang.(SUPPLIERS)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Summit Engineering, Santa Rosa, Calif., wine industry engineering specialist, promoted Yi Yang, S.E., to an associate in the firm. Since he ...
Hyster redesigns forklift.(SUPPLIERS)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Hyster Company, Greenville, N.C., introduced its new Fortis[R] forklift line of lift trucks, Each lift truck is offered with multiple powertrain configurations to meet specific application requirements; capacities range from 2,000-15,500 pounds and ...
Marketing sustainability: Central Coast's Sustainable Ag Expo.(Faces & Forums)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Paso Robles, Calif. -- As more growers and wineries adopt sustainable practices, how can they get that message out to consumers? Do consumers even care if a wine is sustainably produced? Sustainability in the marketplace was a key topic at the Central Coast Vineyard Team's third annual ...
Georgia's perfect storm: how growers sometimes succeeded against 2007's cold, heat and drought.(VINTAGE 2007)
Jan 01, 2008; ... In one of the most bizarre years in Georgia's vinifera-growing history, 2007 left some growers in a near state of panic to find fruit, while others looked forward to a great drought-induced vintage of excellent, concentrated wines. This mixed bag resulted from a perfect storm, ...
Wines & Vines special report; Vintage 2007: North America's growing regions.(VINTAGE 2007)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Our annual roundup of the year in winegrape producing areas across the continent tells a story of extremes: an Easter freeze that slashed yields throughout the Midwest; well-drying heat and drought; floods created greenhouse conditions for mildews. Though yields were down in ...
The fourth tier: how brokers and marketing companies help wineries grow.(MARKETING)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Complaints about the American three-tier distribution system are nothing new, but the reality is that for small wineries, the American continent is so big, and regulations so complex, that three tiers aren't always enough to do the job right. The fourth tier--middle marketing companies, ...
How green is your packaging? Suppliers increasingly use carbon credentials to promote their goods.(MARKETING)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Will wine lovers soon refuse to consume any wines produced beyond a 100-mile radius of where they live? It's not likely, or feasible, in states other than California, Oregon and Washington, among others, but it is a question consumers and producers alike are currently pondering as ...
Tasting rooms in Spokane: far from most vineyards, urban wineries lure locals and tourists.(MARKETING)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Spokane, Wash., home to Washington's second-largest population mass, seems an unlikely epicenter for wineries and tasting rooms, yet more than a dozen have emerged in the defacto capital of the Northwest's Inland Empire. These wineries are not clustered in any particular neighborhood, but ...
When charity is the message: from wheelchairs to gay causes, a trend toward individual donations.(MARKETING)
Jan 01, 2008; ... People get into the wine business for very personal reasons. Maybe they seek a more rural life for their family. Perhaps they are intent on building a family legacy. Whatever the reason, most will have to face many of the same decisions. Where should they plant their grapes and to which ...
Picking out the pepper: how Aussie researchers uncovered a key red wine aromatic compound.(RESEARCH)
Jan 01, 2008; ... The mystery came to the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) as a simple bit of curiosity that emanated from a regional aromatic characteristic in some of Australia's most popular red wines. What resulted was a breakthrough in wine science that the head of AWRI calls "the ...
Soil trumps location: German research shows terroir matters.(RESEARCH)
Jan 01, 2008; ... An agricultural research center in southwestern Germany has assembled scientific affirmation of a nebulous tenet long championed by enophiles: Terroir exists, and it matters. Preliminary research results were presented to the British wine trade and press during a seminar ...
Research wish list: where the money should go, if there were a lot more.(RESEARCH)
Jan 01, 2008; ... A lot of wineries and wine regions no doubt tried to drum up business during the holidays with "Christmas In The Vineyard" promotions. But what if Santa really did make the rounds in wine country, carrying a big bag of ... research money? What if the U.S. wine industry suddenly had as much ...
Innovations in construction: many new twists inspired by old ideas.(MANAGEMENT)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Every new winery built seems to include a few innovations, but many are actually ideas from the past. More and more, vintners and winemakers realize that some of the old-time ideas were excellent, though most are updating them with new technology and twists. It's not just in California, ...
Coming soon: innovations in equipment and packaging spotted at SIMEI.(WINEMAKING)(briefs)
Jan 01, 2008; ... The main reason to go to the big Italian wine equipment and supplies expo, SIMEI, every other November is to get an advance look at the winemaking and grapegrowing technology that will soon be available in North America. A great number of the machinery manufacturers are based in northern ...
Winemaker interview Celia Masyczek: Napa consulting winemaker goes deep into red wine fermentation.(WINEMAKING)(Interview)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Wines & Vines asked Napa Valley consulting winemaker Celia Masyczek to divulge her preferences and practices regarding red wine fermentation. As the former Staglin Family winemaker, and currently one of the most sought-after consultants in Napa, Masyczek has quietly risen to the top of her ...
Grower interview James Ontiveros: experience buying grapes for Gallo and Kendall-Jackson makes selling them easier.(GRAPEGROWING)(Interview)
Jan 01, 2008; ... The Santa Maria Valley is in James Ontiveros' blood: His ancestors owned the 8,900-acre Rancho Tepusquet land grant in that part of northern Santa Barbara County, and he's a ninth-generation California farmer and rancher. In addition to his current role as director of sales and ...
Something for everyone at 2008 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium.(UNIFIED EXHIBITORS)
Jan 01, 2008 ... An almost overwhelming program of intriguing and useful material will keep attendees on the run at this year's Unified Symposium, beginning Jan. 29. The nation's largest wine and grape show will be held again at the Sacramento Convention Center and neighboring hotels. Jointly organized by ...
Power of technology.(Inquiring Winemaker)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Some of the most important technology in the world of wine never makes an appearance at trade shows. Automated tanks, newfangled presses and mechanical pruning equipment that treats grapevines like mothers treat babies are marvelous to behold, but there are things hidden away in research ...
Rough start for national standards.(Vineyard View)
Jan 01, 2008; ... On Oct. 29, Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. (SCS) convened a two-day meeting of interested stakeholders to begin the process of creating a national set of farming standards for sustainable agriculture. These standards would apply to all crops. Several members of the California wine ...
Tasting room glassware goes upscale.(Marketing Matters)
Jan 01, 2008; ... As recently as the late '90s, most winery tasting rooms in the United States offered samples in standard Libbey-style wine glasses. You know the ones: short stem, small bowl, sturdy as a brick--and just about as sexy. However, as wineries discovered the merits of varietal-specific ...
Calendar.(Calendar)
Jan 01, 2008 ... JANUARY Jan. 9 UC Cooperative Extension's San Joaquin Valley Grape Symposium, Easton, Calif. For details, visit ucanr.org/sjvgrapesymposium. Jan. 16 & 18 Wine Market Council Third Annual Research Conference, The U.S. Wine Consumer: Attitudes, Behaviors and Trends, ...