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November 2015 WINES&VINES 21 WINE INDUSTRY NEWS CALIFORNIA Graff promoted to GM at Frank Family Todd Graff is the new general manager at Frank Family Vineyards in Calis- toga. Graff joined the win- ery in 2003 as winemaker and oversaw all still and sparkling wine production. In 2008, Graff managed the construction of Frank Family's new winery, and in 2012 he helped owner Rich Frank in the acquisition of the Wood Ranch Vine- yard in Rutherford. Graff will continue in his role as winemaker. Prior to joining Frank Family Vineyards, Graff was the winemaker at Sonoma Creek Winery. Eddys open winery Veteran winemaker Tom Eddy and his wife Kerry Willerton Eddy opened a new winery just in time for the 2015 harvest to pro- duce the Tom Eddy Winery brand of wines. The winery is located in the hills above Napa Valley near the So- noma County line. The Tom Eddy Winery is permitted for 20,000 cases, but cur- rent production is 5,500. The new facility includes a 6,000-square-foot crush pad and a 4,000-square- foot cave with room for 550 barrels. After working for many of the largest win- eries in Napa and Sonoma counties, Eddy started his own brand in 1989 to focus on making small lots of mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Mendocino Winegrowers name executive director Bernadette Byrne is the new executive director of the Mendocino Winegrow- ers Inc. in Ukiah. Byrne has worked in the California wine industry for more than 30 years and has worked in Mendocino County for the past 28 years. She is the former executive director of the Mendocino Winegrowers Alliance (formerly the Mendocino County Vintners Associa- tion). Byrne later ran her own retail shop devoted to Mendocino County wines, and most recently she was the sales and hospitality director at Saracina Vine- yards. "Frankly there's no one in Mendocino County or beyond who is better qualified to fill this posi- tion," said Tyler Rodrigue, board president of the Winegrowers. "Berna- dette's knowledge of the county and its grape and wine industry is exactly what MWI needs to ensure our future success." Hobbs to consult for Bouchaine Bouchaine Vineyards in Carneros has hired wine- maker Paul Hobbs as a consultant. The move follows the hiring of Chris Kajani as winemaker and general manager. "Hiring Paul Hobbs is one of sev- eral steps we are taking to poise our winery as a leading producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Carneros region," said co-owner Tatiana Cope- land. "There will be more to come." Family Winemakers president to retire Paul Kronenberg, president of Family Winemakers of California, is retiring after 17 years in the post. Dur- ing Kronenberg's tenure, the group sponsored successful legislation that opened up many marketing opportunities for small producers includ- ing farmers market tasting and sales, off-premise Regional News Todd Graff Tom Eddy and Kerry Willerton Eddy Simplify and accelerate barrel cleaning without compromising cleaning effectiveness with the new TankJet M60 barrel cleaner. • It's mobile, so it is quick and easy to position right next to the barrel, insert into the bung hole, clean and move to the next barrel • Powerful, fast cleaning at low flow rates prevents toast removal – clean multiple barrels in minutes • Non-lubricated air motor ensures speed and cycle times are relatively constant even when liquid pressure changes • Compatible with a variety of pressure washers and pumps INTRODUCING THE TANKJET ® M60 MOBILE BARREL CLEANER: EASIER, FASTER & BETTER CLEANING FREE TRIAL OR ON-SITE DEMO CALL 1.800.95.SPRAY TO SPEAK WITH YOUR LOCAL REP OR VISIT TANKJET.COM TankJet M60 barrel cleaner – effective cleaning of barrels up to 5' (1.5 m) in dia. Bernadette Byrne