Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/111102
MICHELLE LOCKE Loving Lake County Movers and shakers in the Northern California wine industry are looking to spend some time at the lake. That would be Lake County, the emerging wine region that some view as California's next big breakout star. In late 2012, Foley Family Wines bought the Guenoc/Langtry Estate brand, winery and vineyards, E. & J. Gallo purchased the 2,000-acre Snows Lake Vineyard in the Red Hills AVA, and the Beckstoffer family is planting 300 acres on land purchased previously, also in Red Hills. "At some point you have to say this isn't on the verge of breaking through, it actually has," said Peter Molnar, chair of the Lake County Winegrape Commission and general manager of Obsidian Ridge Vineyards in the Red Hills. E. & J. Gallo recently bought the Snows Lake Vineyard in Lake County. Lake County has deep roots in the industry, with grapegrowing going back to the 1870s. But the region has only recently begun to command attention as a source for high-quality fruit – especially cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc. Compared to 15 years ago, Molnar estimates that the number of wines being sold with a Lake County appellation has grown from about two dozen to more than 300. Meanwhile, Lake County vintners and growers have worked to carve out a niche as producers of premium fruit. "We don't wish to be in the commodity business," Molnar said. That means emphasizing the area's distinctive qualities, which include volcanic soils, hillside vineyards, and – the defining characteristic – elevation. While about 3% of California's vineyards are located at 1,000 feet or more above sea level, almost 100% of Lake County vineyards are planted at Peter Molnar, chair of the Lake that level, Molnar noted. County Winegrape Commission, "The larger narrative to says industry players' interest in me," he said, "is this decithe region shows that Lake Counsion (by industry players) ty has finally broken through. w w w. v w m media.com NEWS FLASH Oregon Wineries Set Record Oregon's $3 billion wine industry continues to outpace much of the U.S. wine industry by topping the $2 million case sales level for the first time in its 50-year history, according to the 2011 Oregon Winery Census Report released by the Oregon Wine Board. The census, conducted by Southern Oregon University, found that Oregon's 463 wineries saw an overall sales increase of 9%, both in volume and sales revenue, making 2011 the biggest year in Oregon history. Total case sales, including the sale of bulk wine, reached 2.2 million cases. First Wireless Fermentation System Launches UC Davis is now home to the world's first wireless wine fermentation system. The $3.5 million network was designed and built by T.J. Rodgers, founder of the San Jose, Calif.-based Cypress Semiconductor Corp., who donated the system to the school. Each fermenter in the network is individually equipped with automated temperature control, an automated system for pumping juice and a sensor that monitors Brix. Robert Mondavi Appoints Winemaker Oakville, Calif.-based Robert Mondavi Winery has appointed Nova Cadamatre as winemaker. Cadamatre most recently served as luxury winemaker for Souverain, Chateau St. Jean and Beringer Knights Valley. Monterey County Vintners & Growers Restructures The Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association (MCVGA) has announced plans to restructure. Rhonda Motil has left her role as executive director. Stacie Jacob, owner of Solterra Strategies, has been named interim executive director. A membership survey is underway to gain feedback before the next phase of restructuring. A search for a permanent executive director is also pending. For more industry news briefs, visit the News Flash page on V&WM's website: http://www.vwmmedia. com/magazine/web-exclusive1.asp. M a r - A p r 2 0 13 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 13