Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/619725
26 WINES&VINES January 2016 WINE INDUSTRY NEWS CALIFORNIA New staff at CAWG Tyler Blackney is the new director of government relations and Natalie Col- lins is the new manager of member relations for the Sacramento-based Cali- fornia Association of Wine- grape Growers. Blackney is the former legislative di- rector for California assem- blyman Luis Alejo and will monitor a range of state public policy issues for CAWG as well as represent the group before regulatory agencies. Collins formerly managed membership and education events for the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation and will now oversee educa- tion, member benefits and recruitment and retention activities for CAWG. New GM at Alma Rosa Elaina Kroll is the new general manager of Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards in Santa Barbara. Kroll will manage daily operations at the winery while working closely with founder Rich- ard Sanford and owner Robert Zorich. Kroll joined Alma Rosa in 2014 as na- tional sales director after managing imports for Do- maine de Cristia and sales for Barrel 27. Cointreau descendant launches U.S. wine Beatrice Cointreau, great- granddaughter of Coin- treau liqueur founder and granddaughter of Rémy Martin, has released the first wines from her 6-acre estate in Malibu. Cointreau started Admirable Family Vineyards in 2013, and the winery's inaugural release includes a white blend of Viognier and Chardonnay called Blanc & Blanc and a red blend of Syrah and Merlot called Vigneronne. Anderson Valley hires new leader John Cesano is the new executive director of the Anderson Valley Wine- growers Association in Mendocino County. Ce- sano has more than 30 years of wine industry experience and most re- cently was manager of the McFadden Farm Stand & Tasting Room in Hopland, Calif. Cesano writes a regular wine column for The Ukiah Daily Journal newspaper and maintains his own wine blog. Cesano is taking over day-to-day management of the group from Janis MacDonald, who is retiring. Napa Vintners donate to education The Napa Valley Vintners donated $2 million to 10 Napa Valley nonprofits with the goal of helping local children succeed in school and $1 million for the Napa Valley Early Learning Initia- tive. The donations are from the Vintners' annual chari- table wine auction, which raised nearly $16 million in 2015 and has provided more than $150 million in total to Napa County non- profit organizations since the first auction in 1980. Keller to oversee ASEV publications Markus Keller, the Cha- teau Ste. Michelle dis- tinguished professor of viticulture at Washington State University, will direct the American Society for Enology and Viticulture's (ASEV) scientific, peer- reviewed publications starting in March. Keller will work closely during his three-year appointment with current science editor NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART LAB EQUIPMENT SETTING NEW STANDARDS FOR VINE QUALITY Tefera Mekura, Lab Manager Ph.D in Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University Serving the Wine, table grape, and raiSin induStrieS VINTAGE NURSERIES' ADVANcED NEW TESTING LAB VINTAGE NURSERIES' NEW TESTING LAB PUTS GROWERS FIRST! At Vintage Nurseries, our vines have to pass a lot of rigid tests. Our new in-house materials testing laboratory equipment with RNA detection introduces a whole new level of quality control built on faster turnaround, increased sample sizes and thorough attention to detail. It's just another way we continue to strive to provide the best possible plant material in the industry. WAScO 661.758.4777 SANTA ROSA 707.542.5510 PASO ROBLES 805.237.8914 800.499.9019 VintageNurseries.com Regional News John Cesano Markus Keller