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22 WINES&VINES November 2018 WINE INDUSTRY NEWS flavourtech.com with LOW ZERO and WinE aLcOhOL pROducE fuLL fLavOR Exceptional ThE Spinning cOnE cOLumn scanamcorp.com Cuvaison names new research winemaker Cuvaison winery hired Rob Fischer to the newly created position of small lot and research winemaker. In his new position, Fischer will focus on exploring character com- position of specific blocks within Cuvaison's 200-acre Los Carneros estate vineyard. Fischer will be working alongside winemaker Steve Rogstad. In collaboration with Rogstad, Fischer will oversee Cu- vaison's small and micro lot wines. He'll also be responsible for man- aging Cuvaison's research program in areas such as yeast trials, irriga- tion, clonal and rootstock material and new vineyard management and winemaking techniques. New winemaker at Charles R Charles R Vineyards hired Lisa Lee as its new winemaker. Lee began her winemaking studies in the Livermore Valley at the Las Positas College enology program and earned her winemaking cer- tificate from the University of Cali- fornia, Davis, in 2012. Guarachi acquires Parker Station Brand Guarachi Wine Partners in Woodland Hills, Calif., acquired Parker Station, a Central Coast Pinot Noir brand previously owned by Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard in Los Olivos. Ac- cording to a statement announcing the deal, Guarachi Wine Partners' sales team will represent the brand, develop marketing campaigns and secure national distribution to in- crease brand awareness and sales volume. The wine will continue to be produced by Fess Parker winery for a period of five years. NORTHWEST Ste. Michelle winemaking, vineyard chief to retire Doug Gore, executive vice presi- dent of winemaking, vineyards and operations for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in Woodinville, Wash., announced his retirement after a 36-year career with the state of Washington's largest wine producer. A California native, Gore relocated to Washington to join Chateau Ste. Michelle's winemaking team. He was named winemaker for the fledgling Columbia Crest winery within a year, and his responsi- bilities later grew to include all vineyards and wineries that Ste. Michelle owns across Washington, Oregon and California. Juan Mu- ñoz-Oca; currently vice president of winemaking has been named executive vice president of wine- making, vineyards and operations responsible for all of Ste. Michelle's facilities; effective Jan. 1. Muñoz- Oca will report directly to the com- pany's new president and CEO Jim Mortensen. Bob Bertheau, currently vice president of winemaking over- seeing Chateau Ste. Michelle and Col Solare, has been promoted to senior vice president of winemak- ing, effective Jan. 1. Bertheau will report to Muñoz-Oca. 2017 Oregon vineyard and winery report released The Oregon Wine Board released its vineyard and winery report in October, indicating significant gains within many areas of the state's wine industry. The annual study, conducted by the University of Or- egon Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (IPRE), deter- mined the number of vineyards in the state increased from 1,052 to 1,114. Researchers also found that wine sales increased to $550 mil- lion in 2017, buoyed by increases in direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales. Total wine sales in 2017 in- creased nearly 4% over the prior year's $529 million in sales. Total value of the production of wine grapes increased 14% from $167 million to $192 million in 2017. The north Willamette Valley continues to lead the state with 73% of total tons crushed. Black Hills Estate president steps down After 11 years as director and president of Black Hills Estate Winery in Oliver, British Columbia, Glenn Fawcett is officially stepping down from day-to-day operations as he embarks on a three-month sabbatical, according to a state- ment released by the winery. In