Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/299589
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m M a y - J u n e 2 014 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 2 9 price-points is something that our customers tell us is nearly unquenchable," said Carol Reber, c h i e f m a r k e t i n g a n d b u s i n e s s development officer at Duckhorn. Reber said she has already seen strong interest in the project, which will be called Canvasback. "When we talk with the trade about what we're doing in Washington, the excitement is palpable," she said. "They get the Washington story. They are just looking for wines with sufficient supply nationally." Duckhorn plans to help make that happen. "Our goal is to be a nationally distributed Red Moun- tain (AVA) cabernet," Reber said. "That doesn't mean a huge quan- tity, because there wouldn't be enough grapes there even if you wanted to do that." Indeed, Red Mountain has 4,040 total acres, of which a little over one-quarter are currently planted to wine grapes. However, Duckhorn's purchase of 20 acres on Red Mountain in late 2013 indicates that the winery is in Washington to stay. Another Napa Valley stalwart, Cakebread Cellars, announced that it was also establishing a Washing- ton brand, Mullan Road. The first wine, a Bordeaux-style blend made from Walla Walla Valley fruit, will be released later this year. Dennis Cakebread, senior vice president of sales and marketing at the winery, said that Cakebread would expand into Washington slowly. "It will take us a couple years, if not five or 10 years, to decide where we want to start planting vineyards," he said. NEW ALLIANCES Among other recent investments is a strategic alliance between Trinchero Family Estates (TFE) in Napa Valley and the Washington- based Charles & Charles winery, a joint project between Charles Smith (K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines of Washington) and peripa- tetic Charles Bieler (Three Thieves, BIELER Père et Fils and Gotham Project). In the alliance, TFE will manage sales, distribution and mar- keting for Charles & Charles, which currently produces approximately 100,000 cases of wine annually. "Washington has now emerged as one of the most respected wine- growing regions, not just in the U.S., but globally," explained Bob Torkelson, president and COO of TFE. He noted that the strong mar- ket growth the state has shown in recent years also played a role in the decision. "The brand and the region continue to grow and I expect it to go nowhere but up," he said. Another recent investment is equal parts breathtaking and mys- terious. Aquilini Investment Group of Vancouver, B.C., purchased 518 acres of land on Red Mountain and For Powdery Mildew and Mite control, grape growers have a choice: JMS Stylet-Oil alternative to early-season sulfur treatment. tOutperforms sulfur as an eradicant on powdery mildew - University researched and rated 10/10. t+.44tylet-Oil is a stand-alone product for powdery mildew. tEliminates early season inoculum growth that can cause late-season epidemics. tUnlike sulfur+.44tylet-Oil works well in cool weather, protects around the clock, and harmlessly degrades without potential air pollution. Apply this clean white oil early for mite control throughout the season. +.4 4tylet-Oil is now available in its conven- tional formulation or an organic formula- UJPOUIBUJT0.3*MJTUFEGPSVTFJOBO organic prPHSBN$POUBDU+.4GPS complete information and product data. 4S[HIV]1MPHI[# 1MXIW# Headquarters 4423 5th PMBDF48 Vero Beach, FL 32968 .PCJMF FBY styletoil@aol.com www.stylet-oil.com 8illiams Lane PFOEMFUPO03 0ïDF FBY styletoil@eoni.com JMS Stylet-Oil ® Choice NORTHWEST WATCH SEAN P. SULLIVAN