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A UGUS T NEWS Life After Mendocino Commission's End County seeks path to recognition after group shot down by growers grower/vintner agency, a majority of voters from both segments was required to secure another five-year term. While 67.8% of winery voters were in favor, only 45.1% of grapegrowers wished to continue, and grapegrowers far outnumber wineries in the county, accounting for 273 members vs. 98 wineries. "We only lost by nine votes on the growers side," said Megan Metz, who became MWWC executive director in 2011. "If we'd been able to combine the two, we would have won by two votes." The commission office closed June 30. Grower Joe Zicherman, co-owner of Zicherman-Roemer Vine- yard in Anderson Valley, talked about the schism between the "coastal" and "inland" growers in Mendocino County. "I voted against continuation," he said. "Essentially, I ended up getting taxed twice." Anderson Valley growers can opt-in as members of U winesandvines.com Learn more: Search keywords "MWWC votes." kiah, Calif.—The slimmest of margins sent the 5-year-old Mendocino Winegrape and Wine Commission (MWWC) into oblivion, to the surprise of many in the communi- ty and throughout the industry. As the county's unique Less than half of county growers voted to continue the commission. the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association, with dues based on vineyard acres. As a state agency, MWWC membership was mandated; growers contributed a per-ton fee. "I am disappointed but not totally surprised" by the vote, said Steve Giannecchini, who grows 40 acres of grapes in inland Uki- ah. "I voted for it. My feeling's always been that there's strength in numbers. We need any recognition. A lot of 'mom and pop' operations feel they can do it themselves." In March of this year, the commission announced it had re- tained marketing gurus Mark Chandler and Steve Burns to devel- op a comprehensive plan for the Mendocino industry. Chandler is credited with taking the Lodi Association to stellar international heights in less than two decades; Burns helped found the Washing- ton State Wine Commission, bringing the state global recognition. "We tried to get people to take the long view, to give it another five years. It was a bad five years," Chandler said, pointing out that success in Lodi took 15 years, and now that area's grapegrowing image is "100% recast" as a source of high-quality winegrapes. —Jane Firstenfeld The original, BOTTLE-MATIC-II 3 YEAR WARRANTY INCLUDED Front and Back! $1800 for Wines & Vines Readers! Front & Back! Label any cylindrical container fast and accurately from ½" to 21 day trial MADE IN USA! DISPENSA-MATIC Label Dispensers 8" diameter, @ Speeds of 1200 Pcs. per hour. NOT A CHEAP, IMPORTED KNOCK-OFF! Wasting Time Labeling by Hand! STOP FAX:(573) 392-1757; E-mail: info@dispensamatic.com Web: http://www.bottle-labeler.com 28220 Playmor Beach Rd, Rocky Mount, MO 65072 Call Toll Free: 1 (800) 325-7303 or (573) 392-7684 WINES & VINES AUGUST 2012 17 Price subject to change without notice. 2/01/10