Something may be happening soon allowing non-0-2 wineries to pour wine legally at charity events. Assemblywoman Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) is looking into the licensing issues surrounding “virtual wineries” and charitable donations. As stated in this column and elsewhere, basically the ABC rules don’t permit virtual wineries [those without an 0-2 license and a brick-and-mortar facility] from giving or pouring wine at charitable events. Many virtual wineries have been protesting, and three were “caught” and fined last year. Evans is beginning to conduct a surgical strike to change this provision of the law. Evans feels charitable donations shouldn’t have this constraint and shouldn’t be so controversial. From what I hear, few in the wine industry or the ABC are against changing this law, or at least this aspect of it. If all goes well, her bill may be heard by the Assembly in late April. We shall see….
Something may be happening soon allowing non-0-2 wineries to pour wine legally at charity events. Assemblywoman Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) is looking into the licensing issues surrounding “virtual wineries” and charitable donations. As stated in this column and elsewhere, basically the ABC rules don’t permit virtual wineries [those without an 0-2 license and a brick-and-mortar facility] from giving or pouring wine at charitable events. Many virtual wineries have been protesting, and three were “caught” and fined last year. Evans is beginning to conduct a surgical strike to change this provision of the law. Evans feels charitable donations shouldn’t have this constraint and shouldn’t be so controversial. From what I hear, few in the wine industry or the ABC are against changing this law, or at least this aspect of it. If all goes well, her bill may be heard by the Assembly in late April. We shall see….
Talks continue
The United Farm Workers and Charles Krug Winery continue to mediate their differences based on the winery’s decision to fire 28 workers in July 2006. As of press time, reportedly only two of those 28 workers have found employment elsewhere. Community donations for the workers have added up to about $12,000.
The company and United Farm Workers, which is negotiating on the displaced workers’ behalf, have agreed not to discuss what was said during the mediation. “I’m the one who offered the mediation, not the UFW,” says Charles Krug’s CFO Tom Fossey.
Originally, the dispute between the union and the winery revolved around whether physical exams should be mandatory for all employees under the latest contract. The winery sought to have a baseline of its employees’ physical condition before signing a contract, which expired a year ago. The union refused to accept the provision, and the winery decided to fire its workers and instead hire Jack Neal and Sons Vineyard Management for the harvest.
Everyone hopes for a peaceful and quick resolution to this dispute, because Napa Valley needs both this fine, venerable winery and these employees, many of whom have worked for Charles Krug for decades.
Local notes
Recently, the deLeuze Family, of ZD Wines, has gifted $200,000 to benefit the UC Davis Cancer Center. Norman deLeuze, founder of ZD Wines, has been battling lymphoma with nontoxic methods over the last three years. Happily, the UC Davis Health System Department of Internal Medicine and the Division of Hematology and Oncology generously matched 75 percent of the total to create “The deLeuze Family Endowment Fund for a Nontoxic Cure for Lymphoma.” A truly worthy cause.
A new tasting room has opened in downtown Napa. Mason Cellars Oxbow Tasting Room is another addition to the expanding downtown scene. Family-owned, Mason Cellars was founded in l993 by long-time Napa winemaker Randy Mason and his wife, Megan. This new spot offers good, light and airy vibes, excellent Sauvignon Blancs, hearty and accessibly priced reds, local artwork and more. The focus of the room, however, remains the wines, especially the Sauvignon Blancs. “For me, it’s the right grape,” says Randy. The Mason Cellars tasting room, at 714 First St., is open Thursday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The annual Silverado Trail Wineries Association Silver Pass Weekend in coming up March 24th and 25th. This event is a blast, where wineries up and down the trail are part of the coveted “silver pass” that provides people with food, music and, of course, an opportunity to sample great wines. Cost is $20 for a single day and $30 for a two-day pass. Many of the lesser-known wineries that participate are definitely worth a visit. These include: Laura Zahtilla Vineyards, Summit Lake Vineyards, Casa Nuestra Winery, Catacula Lake Winery, RustRidge Winery, Pina Cellars, Hagafen Cellars, Van Der Heyden Vineyards and Judd’s Hill and the new Venge Winery. The proceeds from this weekend benefit the Napa Valley Schools Reading Program. Silver passes are available at any of the participating wineries.
Gott wine?
The Trinchero Family Estate on Zinfandel Lane, known for the Sutter Home facility among others, has recently been sold to Rutherford Studios, a consortium of six partners led by Joel Gott. “There are hardly any as well kept as the Sutter Home facility,” says Gott.
The prime, 75-acre property includes warehouse facilities, a large fermentation building, kitchens and various outbuildings, plus more than 26 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vineyard lots. The place is huge, and Rutherford Studios plans on making this site into a one-stop shop custom crush and storage facility. The group has leased the site back to Sutter Home for four years and has agreed on a 30-year lease of the vineyards. The new owners expect to take control gradually. “The first year, we’ll have barrel storage for 12,000 barrels and 25,000 the following year,” says Gott. Mark Beringer, formerly of Duckhorn Vineyards, will become the new manager of the Zinfandel Lane facility.
“As everybody grows, you need to diversify,” says Joel Gott, who is a winemaker, consultant and the owner of Taylor’s Refresher. He’s looking forward to offering the services of this new custom crush operation to fellow Napa winemakers.
The inaugural National Women’s Wine Competition (NWWC) will be held March 13 to 15 in Santa Rosa. As the first national wine competition judged solely by women, the event is designed to provide a unique perspective on wines women want. The wine competition features honorary cochairs Margrit Biever Mondavi and Kathryn Hall, a former United States Ambassador to Austria and cofounder of Napa’s Hall Winery. Proceeds from the competition, which is being produced by Five Star Events, will be donated to Women for WineSense, a national nonprofit organization focused on wine education.
Wines of note
Cycles Gladiator: These Central Coast wines, with the classic, evocative Georges Massias art posters of a “winged” bicycle, are flavorful, no doubt, and very reasonably priced at around $10 per bottle. The slightly peppery, berry-laden Syrah was my favorite. It reminded me of many pleasant, drinkable Rhone wines I had traveling in Provence a few years ago. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also good deals. Cycles Gladiator fits the bill as enjoyable, approachable, admirable everyday wines.
Emilio’s Terrace is a 100-percent Cabernet Sauvignon, combining grapes picked from the top and bottom of a steep, organic hillside vineyard in Oakville. For the 2003 vintage, the upper hillside grapes were harvested a full 22 days before those at the bottom! This wine exhibits elegant structure, balance, fruitiness and local terroir. Wonderfully nutty with hints of caramel and oak, this wine can age or be enjoyed right now. An underrated winner, seek it out.
Napa’s mustard is in full bloom. Get out and enjoy it.
