The Voice of The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission

~SPRING 2008~

2008 Sonoma County In This Issue.... Pruning Championships Pruning Competition ...... 1 President’s Report ...... 2 By Judy Tuhtan Winter Meeting Highlights . . . . .3 Gerardo Gonzales, Asti Wine & Cheese Guide ...... 4 Vineyards – Fosters Wine Estates from Alexander Valley, pruned five VineyardManager/Owner Seminars . .4 Chardonnay vines to near perfection Up Close – Steve Sangiacomo . .5 in just over four minutes to win $1,100 in cash and merchandise, Marketing Update ...... 6 and was named champion of the Apple Moth ...... 7 ninth annual Sonoma County Pruning Championships. IPM Meetings ...... 8 Sonoma County Winegrape Nomination & Elections ...... 8 Commission hosted the event, held February 29 at Santa Rosa Junior Smart Marketer Seminar ...... 8 College’s Shone Farm. More than Organic Producers’ Group ...... 9 200 people were on hand to cheer on the competitors. The celebration Pruning Champs – right to left: PCA Breakfast Meetings ...... 9 included a fiesta lunch and music Gerardo Gonzales,Francisco Small Grower and Winemaking .9 by Elegancia Nortena. Toledo,Arthuro Perez and Sonoma County Chocolates . . .10 Francisco Toledo, Clendenen Rosendo Avila Vineyard Management in Knights Calendar of Events ...... 12 Valley, took second place and was Megan Baccitich,associate awarded $700 in cash. Third place winemaker at Paul Hobbs Winery,shows her pruning went to Arturo Perez, Vimark technique Vineyards in Alexander Valley, who received $325. Fourth place and $200 in cash was awarded to Rosendo Avila, Emeritus Vineyards, from Russian River Valley. A special third annual Celebrity Winemaker / Vineyard Manager Team Contest had 22 contestants representing four AVAs take up pruning shears. Each team was timed and their work was judged by Daniel Robledo and the Sonoma County Pruning Championship contestants. First place and the Super Star Award went to the team from Alexander Valley consisting of Ed Killian, winemaker from Chateau Souverain, and John Garduno, vineyard manger from Asti Vineyard; Scot Covington, winemaker from Trione Vineyard, and Winery and John Tankersley, vineyard manger from Trione-Vimark Vineyards and Ondine Chattan, winemaker from Geyser Peak Winery and Miguel Nick Frey is interviewed at Pruning Championships Maciel, Vimark Vineyards. by NBC “In Wine Country” But everybody is a winner when winemakers and vineyard managers work together. The Dry Creek Valley team took the Great Effort Award, while the Knights Valley team won the WOW Award and the Russian River Valley team received the Achievement Award. The Sonoma County Pruning Championship contest is not a one-day event. It is the culmination of regional contests whose winners and runners-up are then invited to Shone Farm to determine the county’s best pruners.

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President’s Report by Nick Frey Vine News: The Voice of the Sonoma Spring is when dormancy ends. And in 2008, that County Winegrape break in dormancy includes winegrape buyers who are Commission looking for Sonoma County grapes. Are you ready? I don’t mean is your vineyard pruned – have you prepared for 2008 grape sales? Commissioners: The Commission cannot sell your grapes, but we can John Balletto provide you with tools and information to support your Duff Bevill marketing your vineyards and grapes. Joe Dutton Three marketing initiatives include: Steve Hill 1) Creating the Grape Marketplace on our website. Mark Houser 2) Launching the Wine Map in collaboration with Richard Mounts The Map Store. Jim Murphy 3) Advertising in trade publications that directs Mark Pasternak grape buyers and winemakers to our website. Steve Sangiacomo In today’s increasingly busy times for winemakers, Internet-based marketing is a benefit Rhonda Smith that Sonoma County grape growers need to take advantage of. Listing grapes on the Grape Richard Rued Marketplace at www.sonomawinegrape.org is a first step, but now Sonoma County growers can showcase their vineyards while listing grapes for sale on the first of its kind Wine Map Alternates: at www.SonomaWinegrape.org/map. Kevin Barr All growers need to register and add their vineyards to the Wine Map. Call 707-206-7236 Tim Carl Monday - Friday from 1 - 4 p.m. to register for your personal account and to schedule an Becky Jenkins appointment for technical support in order to get started. And there is no cost to you to list Douglas Lumgair your vineyard information! Vicki Michalczyk The Commission is supporting your marketing efforts through trade ads that direct grape Bill Munselle buyers to the Grape Marketplace and to the Wine Map. The only way to benefit from this Pete Opatz advertising is to list your vineyard and grapes on these sites. Mike Rowan Marketing is best done when sales are good even if you currently have all your Allan Nelson grapes under contract! Then your name is known the day you have grapes for sale. Also Wells Wagner these tools allow you to reach potential grape buyers outside of Sonoma County, which are increasingly important markets for Sonoma County fruit. President: For example, Napa County has 45,000 acres of grapes and little potential for new plant- Nick Frey ings. There are nearly 19,000 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, and reports suggest 85 percent of 707-522-5861 those acres are under contract. The uncontracted acres are not likely top quality fruit. So how does a Napa County winery grow its Cabernet Sauvignon sales? Vice President Marketing Sonoma County can support future growth without sacrificing wine quality. Sonoma & Communications: County has more than 12,000 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in quality wine regions – Larry Levine Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Knights Valley, Chalk Hill, Sonoma Valley and Sonoma 707-522-5863 Mountain. And we have as many, or more acres, of the Bordeaux blenders as Napa County, including nearly 7,000 acres of Merlot. Grower Outreach: To further highlight the advantages Sonoma County provides, Napa County has only Ginger Baker 2,700 acres of Pinot Noir compared to more than 11,000 acres in Sonoma County, less than 707-522-5864 1,600 acres of Zinfandel compared to nearly 5,700 acres here, and only 7,000 acres of Chardonnay compared to nearly 16,000 acres in Sonoma County. Sustainable Practices Coordinator: One grower struggled with the idea of selling his grapes to a Napa winery that planned Judy Tuhtan,707-522-5862 to use only 15 percent Sonoma County fruit in order to label the wine as from Napa Valley. But is this the first step to wines from Sonoma County AVAs? Some wineries have seen the opportunity to grow significant programs based on Sonoma County grapes, for example, www.SonomaWineGrape.org Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Growth-minded wineries recognize the quality and value Sonoma County grapes provide.

Continued on Page 11 SCWC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2008 PAGE 3

Winter Meeting Highlights As reported by Nick Frey

Winter meetings are a good way to keep up with market trends Joshua Greene, Wine and Spirits magazine, delivered the and other issues important to grape growers. It is hard to manage a sternest warning. There has been an explosion of sommeliers in business if you are unaware of the trends and issues that may impact their 20s who are influencing customer wine purchases. These your business – either positively or negatively. young people will be influencing industry trends for years to come. A.C. Nielsen hosted a seminar on October 10, 2007, These new sommeliers and wait staff are seeking lighter, fresher and reported organic product sales grew 30 percent last year. wines. California wines that are richer and higher in alcohol are out Sustainability also resonates with consumers. Sustainable of step. California is giving up the light white market in restaurants. production is expected by today’s consumers. Restaurant Chardonnay sales have decreased since 1994; Merlot has The Napa Valley Wine Grape Expo on October 30, 2007, declined for years, and Syrah sales are small and shrinking. Pinot provided insights into wine market trends. Nielsen scan data show Noir is now 15 percent of restaurant sales, but winemakers risk the dollar market share for varietals sold through grocery, drug and making those too rich versus elegant. There is also more demand for club chains in 2007 as follows: natural wines with minimal processing. Dollar Share Percent Growth Nat DiBuduo predicts 50 percent of California grape production Sales Dollars will be from coastal areas by 2009. He also said Pinot Noir is 10 • Chardonnay ~17% 4 % percent of CA acres ( ~45,000 acres up from 25,000 acres just three • Cabernet Sauvignon 13.5% 18 % years ago). DiBuduo feels new Chardonnay acres are needed, • Merlot 12.1% 2 % demand is strengthening for Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc, as is • Pinot Noir 4.3% 20 % demand for high-end Cabernet Sauvignon. He still cautions growers • Sauvignon Blanc 3.8% 10 % not to plant new acres without a contract. • Zinfandel 2.2% 12 % Glenn Proctor reported that bulk wine demand from Napa and Sonoma is strong for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot In restaurants, Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon occupies Noir. Zinfandel is in balance and Merlot is long. Prices are as follows: 25 percent of wine list offerings, while Chardonnay occupies 31 • Merlot and Syrah $8-12/gal percent, and average price per bottle has increased for both varieties • Cabernet Sauvignon $12-20/gal in the past three years. In addition, 70 percent of Safeway’s growth • Pinot Noir $18-26/gal in wine sales was over $20 per bottle in 2007. Vic Motto reported • Chardonnay $10-17/gal that 10 percent of total US wine sales (cases) are now over $15 • Zinfandel $11-17/gal a bottle. Internationally, Australia supplies are constrained and prices At Malcolm Media’s Grape Expo, November 9, 2007, Glenn are higher; Argentina is becoming the value supplier; South Africa Proctor, Ciatti Company, reported imports grew 12 percent in sales is increasing exports to the US; and European yields were low in in 2007 while US producers’ sales only grew 1percent. Imports have 2007. As a result, international supplies are coming into balance captured 31percent share of the US market and that is expected to and price points are moving up. continue growing in spite of the weak dollar. Nat DiBuduo, Allied John Fredrikson, The Gomberg Fredrikson Report, reported Grape Growers, reported 7.3percent growth in sales of wines over California sales of 192 million cases in 2007, up 3.6 million cases $14 a bottle. This segment now exceeds 20 million cases a year. or 2 percent. Import sales totaled 100 million cases or 31 percent of The Unified Symposium, January 29 - 31, 2008, attracted US sales. Three companies, Gallo, The Wine Group and more than 11,000 people to Sacramento. Peter Hayes, president of Constellation now account for 60 percent of US wine shipments. OIV, highlighted health, nutrition and lifestyle as important issues One concern is a slow down in luxury sales that occurred in for wine producers. Growers and wineries must effectively point out December, including slower growth in red wine sales. Sales growth the positive side of moderate wine consumption to counter trends is slowing for Chardonnay, while Cabernet Sauvignon is growing at for increasing regulation, concerns about alcohol abuse and addictive all price points. Pinot Noir sales grew 29 percent or 440,000 cases, behaviors. mostly at the low end. Merlot sales grew 3 percent but growth at Ted Baseler, Chateau Ste. Michelle, sees three threats to the more than $15 a bottle was minimal. wine industry: To summarize the recurring themes, sustainable production 1. New taxes as local governments try to raise money or to of grapes and wines is increasingly an expectation. The claim address the anti-alcohol lobby must be authentic however. Participation in the Code of 2. New regulations Sustainable Winegrowing provides growers credibility and 3. A poor economy demonstrates a commitment to sustainable practices. Similarly, demand for organic products continues to grow rapidly and com-

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Commission Develops Sonoma and Marin Counties Wine & Cheese Guide by Larry Levine

Wine and cheese are one of the best cheeses, from surface-ripened goat combinations in life; and a bounty of world- cheeses to blue cheeses. There is also class wines and cheeses are crafted in information on how to match the vari- Sonoma and Marin counties. ous wines with specific types of cheeses To celebrate this mouth-watering made from the different cheese compa- combination, the Sonoma County nies. Finally, consumers will be able to Winegrape Commission has created an order the cheeses for a “Sonoma Wine intensive guide that explains the types of and Cheese Party” by visiting wines and cheeses available in the area. the Cowgirl Creamery website or by Cheese expert and award-winning cook- directly contacting the cheese book author, Laura Werlin, The All companies. American Cheese and Wine Book (2003) SCWC is thrilled to be working and the current Laura Werlin’s Cheese with Laura Werlin and Cowgirl Essentials, assisted on the guide. Creamery on this exciting project. Cowgirl Creamery is a partner on The booklet will be available in the the project. It will distribute 25,000 of beginning of April. It will be featured as the guides in their retail cheese stores in part of a two-page advertorial spread in the Ferry Plaza Building in San United Airlines Hemispheres Magazine Francisco and in Washington, D.C. and will be available to consumers at no Additionally, consumers will be able to cost. In the future, it will be available in order most of the cheeses from the various winery tasting rooms, and at events company’s website. where the Sonoma County Vintners, The attractive booklet discusses Tourism Bureau, AVA groups and the different types of wines made in Winegrape growers participate in the Sonoma and Marin counties as well as the AVAs in which coming year. the grapes grow best. There is also a section on how to define the If you would like a copy, visit SonomaWineGrape.org/winecheese various styles of cheeses made here from fresh cheeses to aged to download a copy or to have one sent to you. Cheers!

Vineyard Manager / Owner Seminars

A series of seminars for vineyard managers and owners are scheduled from 8- 10 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month. Coffee will be served.

• The April 3 seminar at the Ag Commissioners conference room, 133 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, will include presentations by Devin Carroll, Advanced Agricultural Services, Inc. on bud dissection to determine bud fruitfulness and Judit Monis, STA Laboratories, Inc on the proper timing and sampling for disease identification. • Speakers for the May and June classes will be announced in a future e-mail and posted on the website, www.SonomaWinegrape.org.

Judit Monis SCWC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2008 PAGE 5

Up-Close

STEVE SANGIACOMO Owner / Partner, Sangiacomo Family Vineyards By Larry Levine

Steve Sangiacomo’s family has farmed the same land in Sonoma since 1927, when his grandparents emigrated from Genoa, Italy. In the early days, they farmed fruit orchards of pears, prunes and apples. It was in 1969, when the second generation was already grown, they became one of the first fruit farmers to transition to wine- grapes in Sonoma. Today, they grow more than 1,000 acres of chardonnay, pinot noir, and merlot. Steve, age 32, is the third generation. He grew up in Sonoma and has great memories of running around the vineyards as a kid. He went to St. Mary’s College and received a degree in Business Administration. Today he shares the day to day responsibilities of running the family business with his brother, Mike. In his off time, he volunteers as a Commissioner and is on the marketing committee. He also serves on the board of the Carneros Wine Alliance and is an assistant football coach at Sonoma Valley High School. He enjoys the outdoors and playing sports including basketball and golf. He is married to his wife, Connie, and has an infant son, Andrew.

What was it like growing up in a farming family? How have your farming practices changed in the past five years? You definitely feel a sense of unity that you are all in it together Every year we learn better ways to farm our vineyards from a quality which becomes a great support system. There is a love for the land and environmental standpoint. Our viticultural practices are ever- and passion that is bred through the work we do. I learned at a changing and our inputs continue to decline on a yearly basis. young age that Mother Nature is so important and you become accustomed to dealing with it for better or worse. How do you think the Commission is doing? It is progressing very well with the marketing programs, which is When did you decide to go into the family business? the premise of the commission, leading the way. Our branding Farming is something that is in your blood and you feel an attraction direction has become clear which is vital to our success if the to it at a young age. There was never pressure to go into the business external market is to know what Sonoma County is all about. but I always knew it was something that I wanted to do. I feel very We all live in a very special place and this is such a great fortunate to farm land that we can hopefully continue to pass onto opportunity to convey this message. the next generation. What advice would you give to young people wanting to go What are your responsibilities today? into winegrape growing? My brother and I share the day-to-day responsibilities of running If you are committed and have a deep fondness for it, you will be the family business. Farming businesses create such a unique mold successful. It has its challenges but is one of the greatest industries of two working environments, the business side and the growing in the world. side. To work in both is very exciting. What is your favorite wine and food combination that you Which AVAs are your vineyards located? serve when entertaining good friends? Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Valley, and Carneros It is hard to beat a bowl of penne pasta with homemade sauce, beef tenderloin, and red wine, be it pinot noir, merlot, or cabernet. How many wineries do you sell to? 65 PAGE 6 SPRING 2008 SCWC NEWSLETTER

Marketing Update

by Larry Levine Spring is here. While the grapevines 6. Sonoma County Wine Stars: Our 2007 program to recognize have been dormant, we have been busy and thank restaurants and wineries that feature Sonoma County planning an exciting year of marketing Wines on their wine lists or wine labels was a big success. Both the activities for the Commission. restaurants and the wineries are excited about the program and many Additionally, we are continuing to are proudly hanging their Sonoma County Wine Star plaques in develop grower and winery relations their establishments. We will expand the program in 2008 to more communications as well as creating high- wineries, Bay Area and selected restaurants across the country. profile programs produced in cooperation 7. Consumer Ad in the April issue United Airlines with our marketing partners-the Sonoma Hemispheres Magazine: We have placed our first Sonoma County County Vintners (SCV), Sonoma Commission consumer Ad in the April issue of Hemispheres County Tourism Bureau (SCTB) and the Magazine. It will reach 6 million people that fly United during April AVA groups. (see ad on page 10). 8. Print Piece Updates: Here are some highlights: • “Exploring the Wine Regions of Sonoma County,” the informative and gorgeous brown booklet that we have used 1. Website Upgrades and Redesign: We have hired our own for years has been updated with new information in-house webmaster, Jeff Herdell. We share his services with SCV and photographs. and SCTB. Jeff is very talented and is helping us keep the website • “Sonoma in Spring” was developed with the SVB and fresh and up-to-date. You may have also noticed that we are now SCTB to promote visitors to Sonoma County in this sending out more frequent and easy-to-read e-blasts to you. We hope traditionally slow period. Events promoted included the these are keeping you informed of all the educational opportunities Sonoma County Pruning Championships. that the Commission produces on your behalf. • The new “Sonoma and Marin Counties Wine and 2. Public Relations Firm Hired: the Commission has joined Cheese Guide,” has been created in partnership with forces with SCV and SCTB and hired a public relations firm to help Cowgirl Creamery. We feel we will get terrific exposure for us promote Sonoma County as a destination, and its great wine- it in the Cowgirl Creamery stores in San Francisco and grapes and wines. After an extensive national search and interview Washington, D.C. Also, we are offering to readers of the process, San Francisco-based Calhoun & Company was hired. We Hemispheres Magazine Ad. are excited to be working with them to produce great media results • The 2008 Sonoma County Grape Camp brochure is in the coming years completed and is being distributed at selected wineries and 3. Sonoma County Wine Map: The Wine Map is now officially at events throughout the country. launched for grape buyers to use (for details see Nick Frey’s 9. Event Update: President’s message on page 2). We are happy to provide this unique • Sonoma in the City, May 22 at the Four Seasons marketing and sales tool and will be doing widescale advertising and Hotel, San Francisco will feature an extensive AVA publicity to promote it. tasting for top media and trade, a seminar program with 4. Sonoma County Winegrape Commission Trade Publication both growers and vintners and a tasting from more than Ads: The trade ad campaign directed at winemakers and grape buy- 100 Sonoma County wineries. It is sponsored by the SCV, ers was launched in January. It featured one ad emphasizing our the Commission and several AVA groups. website’s Winegrape Marketplace and the variety and high quality of • Sonoma County at State Fair in Sacramento, Sonoma and Marin County winegrapes available here. The new Aug. 15-21, the Commission will be a sponsor of the Wine Map ad started in March to assist grape buyers find Sonoma county booth to promote Sonoma County at the County grapes in an innovative, visual, and interactive way. The ads California State Fair. You can preview the booth at the will run through July (look for some interesting visual changes in it Sonoma County Fair July 22-Aug. 4. as time passes). • The Sonoma County Wine Country Weekend 5. New Consumer Outreach: Look for Sonoma County (Aug. 29-31) will be bigger and better than ever with the Winegrape Commission promotions at the San Francisco Airport, Sonoma County Showcase and Sonoma Valley Harvest inside the San Francisco Cable Cars and in other unexpected places Wine Auction joining forces for a Labor Day weekend where we can reach visitors with our Sonoma County messages extravanganza. On Saturday we will again host a (there will also be on-line ads on selected sites to market our grapes, “Growers’ Pavilion” at MacMurray Ranch and offer wines and county). vineyard tours, vineyard designated wines to taste and much more. Continued on next page SCWC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2008 PAGE 7

Single Light Brown Apple Moth Detected in Sonoma County Detection triggers placement of additional traps in the area By Lisa Correia, Agricultural Commissioner

A single Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM), an Eradication options include using pheromone invasive pest native to Australia, has been detected in twist ties for mating disruption, which have been Sonoma County for the first time. utilized effectively in other counties and is the Under state law, California Department of Food preferred treatment for small isolated infestations. & Agriculture (CDFA) has the responsibility and For heavy infestations covering a significant geo- authority to control and eradicate invasive pests in graphical area, CDFA could consider aerial spraying. California (Food and Agricultural Code Section The Sonoma County Agricultural 5321-5323). Commissioner’s Office is responsible for the detection CDFA in cooperation with U.S. Department of of noxious pests in the county, and to provide educa- Agriculture (USDA), and in coordination with tion and outreach to the community and agricultural Agricultural Commissioners and other state and local industry regarding these pests. agencies, established the LBAM Project in response The Sonoma County Agricultural to California’s LBAM infestation. Commissioner’s Office has further ramped up its Currently nine counties within California are educational and outreach efforts to industry and the under regulatory action (quarantine and eradication community due to this single detection, and we will plans), including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, work proactively and collaboratively with CDFA to Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, ensure Sonoma County residents are informed Solano and San Mateo. Small, isolated infestations regarding the ongoing status of this pest and any detected last year in Los Angeles and Napa counties proposed actions by CDFA to control or eradicate it have already been eradicated. in our county. Since March 2007, when the pest was The trap that caught the male moth in Sonoma first confirmed in California, we have taken the County was part of a statewide trapping array deployed by the following steps: Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s staff to detect any • Servicing approximately 600 traps to detect any new sites as new LBAM populations. This single detection triggered increased early as possible trapping in the immediate area to determine if additional moths • Providing outreach to the community and the agricultural are present. and nursery industry Traps will be inspected every one to two weeks. If no further • Responding to general inquiries from the community and LBAM are confirmed in the nine square mile area within a period industry of three life stages (approximately September 1, which is dependent The Light Brown Apple Moth is native to Australia and is on weather conditions), CDFA will not take further action based in found in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Hawaii. The Sonoma County. range of host plants is broad with more than two thousand plant If additional moths are found in the vicinity, CDFA would species known to be susceptible to attack by this pest. The pest plan eradication efforts and Sonoma County would be quarantined destroys, stunts or deforms young seedlings; spoils the appearance of according to state and federal protocols. This would limit the ornamental plants; and injures citrus, grapes, and deciduous fruit movement of plants, produce, yard waste and related articles from tree crops; and feeds on cypress, redwood and oak trees. the area. Additional trapping would be performed to monitor the For more information on the light brown apple moth, including moth population. the State’s 2008-2009 Action Plan, please visit www.cdfa.ca.gov.

Marketing Report continued from Page 6 • The Sonoma County Harvest Celebration in Chicago from Sonoma County and its AVAs for people to taste and (Sept. 10&11) Our famous road show team that went to enjoy along with our great wines and foods. NYC last year will hit Chicago this year. It will again • Sonoma County Grape Camp Promotion feature Alexander Valley Grower Jim Murphy, Vintner (Sept. 29-Oct. 1) will be event better than last year and Joel Peterson of Ravenswood and Chef Bruce Riezenman is almost filled with campers already. Selected top media of Park Avenue Catering. They will participate in several will be invited to experience the Sonoma County Harvest media, trade and consumer events. The real stars will be and share it with consumers around the world. the beautiful selection of freshly harvested winegrapes For information go to www.SonomaGrapeCamp.com. PAGE 8 SPRING 2008 SCWC NEWSLETTER

2008 Pest Management Meetings Nomination and Election of IPM Grower Appellation Meetings Commissioners and Alternates

Have you ever attended an IPM Grower Appellation Meeting Nominations for commissioners and alternates to the Sonoma (GAM)? The meetings are a great way to learn from other growers County Winegrape Commission will be received through April 30. and to share your pest management experiences. Nomination forms can be obtained at What pest management strategies have you tried that reduced www.SonomaWineGrape.org or by calling 707-522-5864. risks and worked? What has failed? Come, share and learn – and Any person nominated or elected as a member or alternate get CEU credits. shall be a producer, or a representative of a producer, who has a The SCWC IPM Grower Appellation Meetings are held in financial interest in producing, or causing to be produced, the second week of the month from April - July. Be sure to bring a winegrapes for market. A producer must sell 25 tons or more of grower neighbor! winegrapes each year. All growers who sold 25 tons of grapes from the 2007 harvest are eligible to vote. Ballots with all nominees will be mailed to growers not later than May 15. Ballots must be mailed to SCWC by May 30. Five commissioner and five alternate positions are up for election. The top five vote getters will be named commissioners and the next five vote getters will be named alternates. Ballots will be counted by commission staff and confirmed by CDFA. Those elected will begin their two-year terms on July 1, 2008. You may nominate yourself or another grower. If you nominate another eligible grower, he or she must agree to serve if elected. Be sure to vote before the May 30 deadline!

Smart Marketing Seminars Recent IPM meeting at Jordan Vineyards

2008 IPM GROWER APPELLATION MEETING Schedule: The Commission is co-sponsor- • Russian River Valley: Host: Dennis Devitt ing Smart Marketer seminars in Laguna Ranch, 2043 Laguna Rd, Santa Rosa 2008 with the California TUESDAYS, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8 from Association of Winegrape Growers 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. in 2008. Mark your calendars now for these • Sonoma Valley: Barricia Vineyards, • April 29: Dale Stern, Stern, Van Host: Mel & Angela Dagovitz, 15700 Hwy 12, Sonoma Vleck & Ruehmann, LLP, will WEDNESDAYS, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9 from discuss market enforcement issues 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and the winegrape inspection program. Moss Adams will present • Dry Creek Valley: Rued Vineyards, Host: Richard Rued information of costs on grape 3850 Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg, production in Sonoma County THURSDAYS April 10, May 15, June 12, July 10 from Dale Stern at April 29 Smart 6:30 p.m. at the Santa Rosa 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Marketer Seminar Hilton Hotel • On June 24, Elizabeth Slater, In Short Marketing, will • Alexander Valley: Jordan Vineyards discuss how growers can better market their vineyards and grapes. Host: Dana Grande, 2710 W. Soda Rock Rd, Healdsburg A second speaker will be announced later. THURSDAYS, April 10, May 15, June 12 July 10 from • The final seminar in the season will be in November. 10:30 a.m. - noon Thank you to Dennis Golstrand of the Goldstrand Planning There is no charge for any session and meetings are open to all Group who spoke at a Smart Marketer Seminar on February 26 on Sonoma & Marin County growers. No pre-registration is necessary. financial and estate planning. The IPM / Organic Field Day will be August 7. Contact Judy at [email protected] for more info. SCWC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2008 PAGE 9

The Organic Producers’ Group PCA Breakfast Meetings

The Organic Producers’ Group are informal meetings focused PCA, QAL or PA…or those of you who are making vineyard on organic grape-growing education, and grower-to-grower pest management decisions are invited to attend PCA Breakfast exchange of ideas and practical information. The meetings are meetings the first Tuesday of each month at Star Town Restaurant held at different organic growers’ vineyards throughout the county. at 8499 Old Redwood Highway in Windsor to discuss current pest The meeting format includes a talk by the host about the and disease pressures and management strategies. Laura Breyer, vineyard site with its particular successes and challenges, followed Breyer IPM Vineyard Service, leads the group discussions. by a general discussion on specific topics such as mildew, and other items brought up by the group. Growers interested in organic • April 1: Early Mites, Sharpshooter trapping, Weeds. production or in learning specific organic production practices LAWS & REGULATIONS update by Sonoma County Ag are invited. Commissioner’s staff. 1 hour of CEU’s are available.

2008 ORGANIC PRODUCERS MEETING Please see meeting schedules and locations at 4th Wednesday of Month 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. www.SonomaWineGrape.org/event for 2008 if you are interested in attending any of these meetings. CEUs are available. If you want April 23: St Mark’s Vineyard to be on the e-mail list to receive monthly reminders for the meet- Host: Mark Weston ings e-mail: [email protected] or call Judy at 522-5862. 6349 Trenton Rd, Forestville Contact Information: Nick Frey, 707-522-5861, e-mail: [email protected] May 28: Puma Springs Vineyard Host: Tony Crabb & Barbara Grassechi 1421 Chiquita Rd, Healdsburg

June 25: Kaz Vineyard & Winery Host: Rick Kasmier 233 Adobe Canyon Rd, Kenwood Lunch provided by Kaz Vineyard & Winery

July 23: SRJC Shone Farm Host: Leonard Diggs 6225 Eastside Rd, Forestville

Reservations requested to [email protected] or fax: 707-522-5862. Check the SCWC web site calendar at SonomaWineGrape.org/event for more events and information. Small Grower and Winemaking Meetings

Small Grower and Winemaking Meetings occur the first Thursday of each month from 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. On April 3, the group will journey to American and Lake County Grapevine Nursery, hosted by Bruce Gradek. The group will discuss the process of bench grafting and vine propagation, quality controls to insure clean/healthy vines, clonal selection and non-certified scion wood; successes and failures. On May 1, the group will do vineyard tours looking for problems, discussing timely cultural practices, counting flower clusters to determine fruitfulness determination, and reviewing crop estimation techniques. Future meetings will be announced in an e-mail and posted on the website, www.SonomaWineGrape.org. For more information, please contact Ginger Baker at (707) 522-5864, or e-mail at [email protected] PAGE 10 SPRING 2008 SCWC NEWSLETTER

Commission Launches New Line of Sonoma County Chocolates by Larry Levine

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission with the its debut at the recent Winter 2008 Fancy assistance of noted chocolatier, Chocolates á la Food Show in San Diego. There was Carte, have developed the “Grower’s Choice tremendous excitement about the product Chocolate & Wine Collection.” line and the Sonoma County connection The first selection goes to market in May from all sectors of the specialty food and consists of 16 premium chocolate truffles industry. In the future, additional Sonoma infused with winegrapes from Sonoma County’s County regional truffle flavors and finest grape-growing regions. chocolate bars will be available. Flavors such as: Russian River Pinot Noir, The product line was dreamed of by Chalk Hill Chardonnay, Alexander Valley Cabernet Rick Pocrass, CEO of Chocolates à la Sauvignon and Knights Valley Merlot create this Carte, while he was attending the Sonoma wonderful boxed collection of Wine Truffles. County Grape Camp last year. These chocolates also support a very worthy “I have been a wine aficionado all my cause, with a portion of the net proceeds life, and pairing food with wine has always benefiting SCWC’s Vineyard Employee fascinated me” Pocrass said. “I was so Development Program. SCWC will pay no excited with the quality and diversity development or sales expenses. of Sonoma County winegrapes that I The chocolates will officially go on sale on suggested to the Sonoma County May 1 at selected top retailers around the country Winegrape Commission staff to make winegrape-infused and on the SCWC website at www.SonomaWineGrape.org/chocolates. chocolate from Sonoma’s finest growing regions. What we have The reason SCWC is doing this project is to get the message of created, in my opinion, is a superior chocolate product that truly Sonoma County and distinct wine regions out to the public in a shows what the experience of pairing wine and chocolate is new and creative way, There have been wine chocolates before, but all about.” never with regional branding messages. We hope to eventually see To learn more about Chocolates à la Carte, or if you are the chocolates in the wine aisles of premium supermarkets, gourmet interested in retail sales of these products, please contact specialty stores and at our Sonoma County wineries and hotels. The Stephanie Sulstrom at (661 )257-3700 x150 or visit: Sonoma County Wine Chocolate Collection made www.renachocolates.com.

Winter Meeting Highlights continued from Page 3 Pruning Contest article continued from Page 1 panies like Whole Foods are seeking organic wines for their Speed alone does not determine winners. Judges carefully customers. examine each contestant’s work deducting points for pruning errors Supply and demand are coming into balance, which is good and awarding bonus points for superlative pruning decisions. news for grape growers. Prices should strengthen for most varieties, This event is made possible by the generous contributions of although Merlot and Syrah may lag in 2008. Growth in wine sales many event sponsors, including platinum sponsors: Vineyard above $15 a bottle is strong and this is a key market segment for Industry Products, Central Valley Builders Supply and Chris Sonoma County grape growers. Importers are now targeting the Maloney Crop Insurance and Gold Sponsor, Francis Ford Coppola $15 plus price segment. Presents Rosso & Bianco winery. We appreciate all the contributions from our local community Imports, new regulations, and potentially new taxes on wine and are grateful for the assistance of the Santa Rosa Junior College are threats. A weakening economy may also impact wine sales. Deptartment of Agriculture and Natural Resources instructors Leonard Diggs, Shone Farm Manager; Merilark Padgett-Johnson, These factors will likely temper grape price increases in the coming viticulture instructor; and the continued support of Bob Fraser, years. Growers should not anticipate a return to the heady days of department chairman. the late 1990s – unless of course you have some Pinot Noir grapes to sell in 2008. SCWC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2008 PAGE 11

April advertorial in United Airlines Hemispheres Magazine created and placed by the Commission.

President’s Report continued from Page 2 Take advantage of the tools the Commission is providing to As you sell your grapes in 2008, you also need to factor in the support your marketing efforts, and use the information we provide increased costs of production you are likely to experience. Everyone when you are ready to sell your fruit. The Final Grape Crush Report recognizes fuel costs are increasing, but world demand for fertilizers, was released March 10. The information is important as you pesticides and steel are driving up costs for growers across the board. determine a fair price for your grapes. Talk with your suppliers if you are not aware of these price increases. (See www.SonomaWinegrape.org/story-category/news for a The Commission also markets Sonoma County, its wine summary of the 2007 Grape Crush Report for Sonoma County regions and its wines to the wine trade and consumers. Ultimately, and for a link to the entire California report.) wine consumers determine growers’ economic fate. It is critical that County average prices and price ranges by variety in Table 8 sales of Sonoma County wines priced at more than $15 a bottle are starting points for your price discovery. Spot market prices increase if local growers are to sustain their profitability. Read about reported by grape brokers are useful. Most still lag county average our current marketing programs in Larry Levine’s marketing prices as we come out of an oversupply situation for many varieties. program update on page 6. If spot market prices in 2008 exceed the county average prices in Growers truly operate in a global economy. Competition 2007, you know market demand is exceeding supplies. Also talk to among regions and wines from around the world remains fierce. your wineries about the wines that use your grapes and determine Sonoma County growers are prepared to compete through our own the bottle prices for those products. While only an indicator, 100 marketing efforts and through your production of the highest times the bottle price for the wines produced from your fruit gives quality grapes possible. Each of those efforts creates greater value you a third price point. A reasonable offering price will likely fall for our winery customers and their wine consumers. within the triangle defined by these three price indicators. Good luck in selling your 2008 grapes! 420 Aviation Blvd., Ste. 106 Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Platinum Commission Sponsors

SONOMA COUNTY WINEGRAPE COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS Please check the Calendar at www.sonomawinegrape.org for a complete listing of Events.

April 1 PCA Breakfast Meeting, Star Town Restaurant, 8499 Old Redwood Hwy, 7-8:30 am. Contact: 522-5861 3 Seminar for Vineyard Managers & Owners, Ag Commissioner's Conference Room, 133 Aviation Blvd, Suite 110, 8:00 - 10:00 am. Contact: [email protected]. 3 Small Growers /Winemakers Meeting, Contact: Ginger 522-5864 IPM GAM Meetings Info: 522-5862 8• Laguna Ranch, 2043 Laguna Rd, 9:00-10:30 am. 9 • Barricia Vineyards, 15700 Sonoma Hwy, 9:00-10:30 am 10 • Rued Vineyards, 3850 Dry Creek Rd, 8:00-9:30 am 10 • Jordan Vineyards, 2710 W. Soda Rock Rd, 10:30 am - noon 23 Organic Producers Group, St Mark's Vineyard, 6349 Trenton Rd, 10-11:30 am. Reservations: 522-5862 29 Smart Marketer Meeting, Hilton Hotel,3555 Round Barn Blvd.6:30 - 8:30 pm. Contact: Ginger 522-5864 May 1 Small Growers /Winemakers Meeting, Contact: Ginger 522-5864 6 PCA Breakfast Meeting, see info above for location and time 13,14,15 IPM GAM Meetings -see above info for locations and times. 28 Organic Producers Group, Puma Springs Vineyard, 1421 Chiquita Rd 10-11:30 am. Reservations: 522-5862