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June 2015 WINES&VINES 21 WINE INDUSTRY NEWS HoytShepston_Monthly09 10/31/08 4:44 PM See more nets in our 2010 catalog online @ www.spectrellising.com 800-237-4594 Quality Counts When The grower-friendly SideneT PermaNet • Reduced installation costs – leave permanently attached to wire • Reinforced edges with eyelets for easier installation • Long lasting (10-year UV warranty): reduces replacement net costs • Small mesh size offers sunburn protection while allowing airflow • 100% lockstitch design eliminates tears, thread separation, bird damage • Extra heavy yarn construction for extreme durability PermaNet Gives You All These Benefits: Introducing L akeport, Calif.—Lake County wine grape growers and winemakers have steadily increased the quality and reputa- tion of their appellation's Sauvi- gnon Blanc. Current market research shows that prices and demand should remain strong for Lake County grapes for at least the near-term future—not only for Sauvignon Blanc, but also for Cab- ernet Sauvignon, the area's lead- ing red variety. The Lake County Winegrape Commission (LCWC) presented "Momentum 2015" on April 13 to highlight market trends for Lake County grapes and promote awareness of the Lake County ap- pellation. The event also served to encourage growers to continue improving practices that enhance grape quality. The LCWC represents about 170 growers with more than 8,700 acres planted to about 20 different grape varieties. Of Lake County's total 2014 wine grape production of 38,673 tons, Sauvignon Blanc planted on 1,893 acres accounted for 11,967 tons (nearly 31% of the total), and Cabernet Sauvignon planted on 3,435 acres produced 14,025 tons (more than 36% of the region's total harvest). Delivering a "State of the Lake County Wine Industry" summary, Peter Molnar, LCWC chairman since 2009, and general manager of Obsidian Ridge Vineyard in Lake County's Red Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA), said that historically, Lake County Sauvi- gnon Blanc's role has been to fill $10 per bottle North Coast and California blends of the varietal. Looking to the future, he said, "I think there's a strong argument to say that within the next 10 years we could surpass other North Coast county Sauvignon Blancs in quality and reputation," Molnar said. During a panel discussion of local growers, Cameron Lyeth, sales manager for Beckstoffer Vineyards, which has more than 1,300 planted acres in Lake Coun- ty's Red Hills AVA, echoed that Lake County's reputation contin- ues to grow. He said more buyers are calling him for Lake County fruit. "Now they're coming up here and looking for a good grape sup- ply and supplier," he said. "Now that we're getting new people who are interested in starting new brands, we want to show them that we want to grow with their brand and have a long-term rela- tionship," he added. Lake County's climate and ter- roir also favor sustainable vine- yard management. Keith Brandt, director of compliance for Shan- non Ranches, helped obtain certi- fication through the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance for 745 acres of Shannon's Lake County vineyards in 2013. "I en- courage everyone to look into sustainable certification," Brandt said. "For us it was not a big stretch to become certified, and there's a good chance that 75% or more of your practices already fit into the program," he observed. Providing another reason, Brandt said, "The market is going there, and people are looking for traceability in their products, at both the retailer and consumer level." —Ted Rieger Lake County's Leading Varieties on the Rise Presenters included: Christian Miller of Full Glass Research, LCWC presi- dent Debra Sommerfield and LCWC chairman Peter Molnar (from left).