Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/724494
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m S e p t - O c t 2 016 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 7 9 PASSAGES John Moramarco John Moramarco, a deco - rated winemaker who helped establish the Temecula Valley as a viable winemaking region and won the praise of Queen Eliza- beth, passed in July at age 93. His wine industry career began with planting 1,000 acres of grapes at Brookside Winery. He was later hired by Ely Callaway to help set up Callaway's winery vineyards. Moramarco was also known for his innovative style and work to help preserve Tem- ecula's agricultural roots. When Queen Elizabeth requested a second glass of Callaway White Riesling during a visit to New York in 1976, it was viewed as a turning point for Temecula. Moramarco later traveled the world as a consultant, helping plant the seeds for wineries in China and Russia. He also made multiple trips to Italy. Known for enjoying life, friends and family, he's survived by his wife, Bev Moramarco, two sons, a daugh- ter, a stepson and stepdaughter and numerous grandchildren. Ben Pearson Ben Pearson, long-time wine buyer at Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Bottle Barn, died unexpectedly in July at the age of 56. Pearson was widely respected among the wine community as well as anyone who came into the shop looking to purchase a bottle of wine — his knowledge was virtu- ally unmatched and his friendly demeanor admired. His amazing wine selection focused not only on local offerings, but included a wide assortment of international choices as well. He also served as a professional wine judge for more than 15 years and appeared weekly as co-host of KSRO radio's Wine Wednesday show. He's survived by his wife, Laurie Cederberg, and two children. WINE INDUSTRY CALENDAR Sept. 23-25: 11th Annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, one of the East Coast's most sophisticated and anticipated events. Experience the Wine & Rosecliff gala, grand tastings, vintner dinner, jazz brunch and seminars. www.NewportMansionsWineAndFood.org Sept. 26-27: 25th Annual Wine Industry Financial Symposium, pre- sented by the Wine Industry Symposium Group at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel Conference Center. Seminars and networking events include a VIP anniversary celebration dinner with guest speaker James Laube. www.winesymposium.com Sept. 29: The People's Choice Blind Tasting and Awards Celebration, part of Temecula Valley Wine Month, features a walk-around blind tast- ing for consumers and media to sample and rate wines. The highest- scoring "People's Choice" wines will be recognized that evening at an elegant dinner and celebration. www.winemonth.org Oct. 13-16: The Martha's Vineyard Food and Wine Festival show- cases skilled winemakers and culinary artisans from the island and worldwide with exclusive dinners and seminars. Presented by the Edgartown Board of Trade, a portion of the proceeds benefit two local organizations. mvfoodandwine.com Nov. 6-7: Raw Wine is a natural, low-intervention organic and biody- namic wine fair coming to New York for the first time. Presented by Isabelle Legeron, MW, it brings together producers, chefs, somme- liers and connoisseurs to showcase what natural wine is all about. www.newyork.rawwine.com Nov. 7: This is the entry deadline for the Grand Harvest Awards, the only wine competition where judges taste wines specifically grouped with others from the same appellation. The focus is on terroir and how it contributes qualities of distinctiveness and excellence to wines. www.winecompetitions.com Nov. 9-11: Quivira Conference: "Lights, Soil, Action!" takes place in Albuquerque, N.M., to focus on how to get regenerative solutions to problems like drought and food scarcity implemented widely and quickly. Speakers will offer their answers from diverse perspectives, including agriculture, conservation, policy, science and advocacy. quiviracoalition.org Nov. 10-13: The sixth annual Garagiste Wine Festival in Paso Robles, Calif., features 60+ winemakers pouring handcrafted, micro-produc- tion wines. Events include a grand tasting, educational tasting semi- nars and more. The nonprofit festival supports a scholarship fund for the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Program. www.garagistefestival.com Nov. 14-16: The 2016 Sustainable Ag Expo takes place in San Luis Obispo, Calif., featuring seminars and a trade show that provide the latest in farming research, resource issues and business trends. Net- work directly with upper-level decision makers who represent more than 225,000 acres of row crop, vineyard and orchard operations. sustainableagexpo.org