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30 W i n e s & V i n e s D e C e M B e R 2 0 1 4 N E W S M A K E R S Single Vineyard Wines Shine in San Francisco S an Francisco, Calif.—Representatives from 40 wineries traveled to Fort Mason in San Francisco on Nov. 5 to connect with consumers interested in vineyard-designate wines from the Russian River Valley. The event, sponsored by the Russian River Valley Winegrowers (RRVW) and billed as Single Vineyard Night, drew a range of producers from 850,000-case La Crema to 848-case Bucher Vineyard. Diane Bucher, who with her husband John Bucher sells grapes to other wineries in addition to producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, told Wines & Vines, "We had a great time meeting new people and visiting with friends and customers, some of whom we met at the 2013 Single Vineyard Night." The event began with a sommelier panel discussing the evening's single-vineyard selections; consumers who purchased VIP tickets were able to arrive an hour early and sample rare library wines and limited- production reserve bottles. A silent auction included 12 lots featuring winery tours, tastings, bottles and overnight stays, with values ranging from $622 to $2,250. "This event allows for both novice and experienced wine tasters to get a glimpse of what the Russian River Valley has to offer," said Shannon Westley, marketing director for RRVW. "And since we are only an hour north of San Francisco, we hope that this event encourages the guests to plan future trips to explore the Russian River Valley firsthand." Davis Bynum, which claims to have produced the Russian River Valley's first vineyard-designate Pinot Noir, this year poured two 2012 Pinot Noirs from Jane's Vineyard (among others): one Dijon Clone 115 and another Dijon Clone 667. —Kate Lavin Faces& Forums N E W S M A K E R S Clockwise, from upper left: Steve Carrozzi promotes the work of his wife, winemaker Cheryl LaVrar. Judy Polley serves as Northern California sales manager for Balletto Vineyards & Winery. Angelica (left) and Elizabeth Valdez pour wines made by their father, winemaker and grapegrower Ulises Valdez. Lisa Varner (left) and Debbie Shubin pour wines for Dutton Estate Winery of Sebastopol, Calif. Kristie Fondario (left) and Sherrie Perkovich toast Sojourn Cellars of Sonoma, Calif. ALL PHOTOS By HAWKES PHOTOGRAPHy