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6 WINES&VINES May 2015 A member of Wine Communications Group Inc. ADVERTISING Vice President & Director of Sales Jacques Brix jbrix@winesandvines.com (707) 473-0244 West Lydia Hall lydia@winesandvines.com (415) 453-9700 x 103 Midwest Hooper Jones hooperhja@aol.com (847) 486-1021 Northeast Marsha Tabb marshatabb@comcast.net (215) 794-3442 East Laura Lemos laura@boja.com (973) 822-9274 International Dave Bayard dave@bayard.com (973) 822-9275 Advertising Manager Christina Ballinger ads@winesandvines.com DIGITAL EDITION All print subscribers now get digital access to Wines & Vines. You can: • DOWNLOAD pages or full issues • BROWSE current and archived issues • WATCH videos • ACCESS via desktop, tablet or smartphone • SEARCH by keyword or table of contents • NAVIGATE by topic or page thumbnail • QUESTIONS? Contact customer ser- vice at custserv@winesandvines.com or (866) 453-9701 Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. PDT. CONNECT WITH US CONTRIBUTORS Gabriel Froymovich, the author of an article containing smart tax strategy for grapegrowers, holds an MBA from the University of Cali- fornia, Davis, and provides financial and strategic consulting to the wine industry through his firm, Vineyard Financial Associates. Turn to the Viewpoint column on page 34 to read Froymovich's best piece of financial advice for vineyard owners in prestigious AVAs. You may have a significant tax deduction coming. Andrew Adams, Wines & Vines' associate editor, writes several Technical Spotlight articles each year. These pieces take a close look at newly built or renovated wineries to share with our read- ers how the owners and winemakers handled design, construction, work flow and equipment choices. Having been raised in Sonoma, Calif., Adams found a great story just outside his hometown in the historic restoration at Buena Vista Winery, founded in 1857. See page 36 for details. Eve-Lyn Hinckley writes on page 78 about what happens to sulfur sprayed on grapevines as a fungicide. An assistant professor jointly appointed in the Environmental Studies Program and the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Hinckley collaborates with winegrowers on projects related to nutri- ent cycling, irrigation efficiency and sustainability of the industry. Her article describes findings from a study following the fates of applied sulfur in vineyard soils, plant tissues and leachate, with emphasis on the potential unintended environmental consequences. ON THE COVER In the cover story on page 49, contributing editor Jane Firsten- feld looks at alternative closures for wines priced above $20. To shoot this month's cover, art direc- tor Barbara Summer collected closures from several such winer- ies and photographed them at the San Rafael, Calif.-based office of Wines & Vines. QUESTION FOR MAY: What is the most important element of wine packaging? Erin Flynn Designer/marketing manager Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars Hammondsport, N.Y. Knowing your brand is the most important element of wine packaging. I admire a lot of the contemporary, cutting-edge wine labels out there, but at the end of the day not every brand jives with those designs. I think the key is embracing your brand and representing it well. Chris Villalovoz Senior graphic designer Don Sebastiani & Sons Sonoma, Calif. Although it takes many pieces coming together to create a successful package, I believe the artwork on the label or bottle is the strongest element. It is often the first opportunity to create a memorable impression of the winery and the wine itself, and through this visual impact make a connection with the wine drinker. Cary Kloster Director of marketing Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Woodinville, Wash. The most important thing is that the packaging quickly communi- cates the overall story of your brand to the consumer so that they are intrigued enough to want to learn more. Most people are not able to taste the wine before purchasing, so the label on a wine bottle is like an advertisement for what's inside.