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grapegrowing business. His family was among the first to plant varietal wine grapes in the San Joaquin Val- ley in the 1970s. Before joining AGG, DiBuduo was executive manager of Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., responsible for managing 22,000 acres of agricultural land in California and Arizona, from 1994 to 2000. He owned and oper- ated his own com- pany, DiBuduo A g r i - R e s o u r c e Services, an agri- cultural farm man- a g eme n t a n d consulting firm. He holds a bachelor's degree in plant sci- ence/vi t icul ture with a minor in business adminis- tration from Califor- nia State University, Fresno, and is a graduate of the California Agricul- tural Leadership Program. In 2007, DiBuduo was named Agriculturalist of the Year by the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce, and in 2008 was cho- sen Fresno State Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. 100 V&WM: What is the outlook for grape sales and price trends? Nat DiBuduo (ND): The price trends for 2011 were stronger than for 2010. In general, we saw a 20% increase in prices for many vari- eties. In the Central Coast, there was an increase even prior to the NAT DIBUDUO'S RESUME Birthplace: Fresno, Calif. Current Position: President and CEO, Allied Grape Growers Previous Experience: Executive manager, Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc. Owned DiBuduo Agri-Resource Services, an agricultural farm management and consulting firm. Personal: DiBuduo enjoys spending time with family on trips to the Central Coast. "I enjoy watching the ocean," he said. 2012Jan_Layout 1 12/1/2011 2:17 PM Page 1 spring frosts there, which drove those prices even higher. Prices for North Coast grapes are more sta- bilized, although they were a little better than in 2010. In the San Joa- quin Valley, prices were strong in 2011 from the get-go, largely driven by demand for high-quality, com- petitively priced wines. Also, more Oak Intelligence Liquid French Oak Tannins - the ultimate in post fermentation adjustments Vanilla - rich, smooth, hint of vanilla Fruit Enhancer - structure, roundness Fruit Enhancer PLUS - ripe berries Mocha - heavy toast, chocolate/coffee Sample sets available We will be at all the wine regional wine trade shows Stop by for samples BEVERAGE SUPPLY GROUP Quality Winemaking Supplies Napa CA, Denver CO, Vancouver WA, Atlanta GA 800-585-5562 www.bsgwine.com WWW.VWM-ONLINE.COM JAN - FEB 2012 VINEYARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT 89 Central Coast wineries came to the San Joaquin Valley to buy grapes in 2011 due to their short crop. Over- all, it's not like prices were in 1999 and 2000, but the price trend is good. V&WM: Do you have a predic- tion on what the grape price change or increase will be for 2012? ND: I see no Education: B.S., plant science/viticulture with a minor in business administration, California State University, Fresno indicator at this time why prices would fall based on demand we are al ready seeing, and what the 2011 Cal i fornia crush appears to have been. Prices should at the very least remain constant and may strength- en for some variet- ies and regions. V&WM: How does it look for value-priced wines versus high-end? ND: Consumers have been given good quality and good value wines in recent years, and I think most consumers are smarter wine buyers today. Demand and con- sumption in the value-priced wine category continues to strengthen.