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24 W i n e s & V i n e s s e P T e M B e R 2 0 1 4 S E P T E M B E R N E W S New owners at 40 Knots Brenda Hetman-Craig and Layne Craig are the new owners of 40 Knots Estate Winery in Comox, B.C. The Craigs are from the northeastern British Columbia town of Fort St. John and were looking for an agricultural business they could pass on to their children. Bill Montgom- ery, founder of 40 Knots, was interested in retiring, and the two parties came to a quick deal, according to a news release issued by the winery. The property includes an 18-acre vine- yard. The Craigs also hired Okanagan Crush Pad winemaker Matt Dumayne to consult with the estate vineyard manager Lucas Ren- shaw about the winery's portfolio. Details: 40knotswinery.com. Maria Ponzi named president of Ponzi Vineyards Maria Ponzi is the new president of Ponzi Vineyards in Sherwood, Ore., which was founded by her parents Dick and Nancy Ponzi in 1970. Maria Ponzi has overseen the win- ery's sales and marketing programs for more than 20 years and is co-owner of the business with her sister, Luisa Ponzi, who is the wine- maker. Details: ponziwines.com. Van Nice joins Soléna as president Anthony Van Nice is the new president of Soléna Estate winery in Yamhill, Ore., in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Van Nice has more than 20 years of wine industry experience and will be re- sponsible for all business operations while working closely with owners and founders Laurent Montalieu and Danielle Andrus Montalieu. Van Nice is the former president of Panther Creek Cellars and Four Graces wineries. In 2012 the Montalieus sold their winery and 35 acres of vineyards to Jackson Family Wines, but they retained the Soléna brand plus 80 acres of vines and plan to open a new tasting room this fall. Details: solena- estate.com. Winemaker promoted to VP of operations King Estate Winery in Eugene, Ore., an- nounced that winemaker Ben Howe has been Anthony Van Nice Tokyo N O R T H W E ST sembly Bill 2488, which allows limited wine and cider tastings at certified farmers markets. Introduced by Assemblyman Mark Levine, the bill would allow a vintner or cider maker to provide samples of their beverages to cus- tomers. Samples are limited to 3 ounces and must be poured in an area separated from the rest of the farmers market. AB 1989, signed by Gov. Brown on July 21, allows students 18 and older who are enrolled in winemaking programs at state universities and community colleges to sample, but not consume, wine for educational purposes. The University of Cali- fornia sponsored the law change, which should take effect January 2015. Cuban somms visit California A group of Cuban sommeliers participated in a tour of the wine regions in Sonoma and Napa counties in July. Californians Building Bridges, an advocacy group focused on ar- ranging exchanges between Cuba and Cali- fornia, hosted the group of 19 sommeliers. According to the CBB, recent changes have opened new distribution opportunities for U.S. agricultural products including wine. S E P T E M B E R N E W S