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22 WINES&VINES March 2017 CALIFORNIA Organic winemaker joins Fetzer Vineyards Sebastian Donoso is the new organic winemaker at Fetzer Vine- yards in Hopland, where he will be focused on wines made with organic and Biodynamic grapes. Prior to joining Fetzer, Donoso was the winemaker for Campovida win- ery, which is also located in Men- docino County, and before that he was assistant winemaker at Sara- cina, a winery certified by Califor- nia Certified Organic Farmers, with 250 acres of organically farmed vines just outside of Hopland. In the new position with Fetzer Vine- yards, Donoso will support day-to- day winemaking operations while helping shape the long-term vision for the company's organic and Bio- dynamic winemaking program. New winemaker at Mendocino Wine Co. Nichole Birdsall joined Mendocino Wine Co. in Ukiah as winemaker. Birdsall will work with head wine- maker Bob Swain in producing wines for such brands as Par- ducci, True Grit, Paul Dolan Vine- yards and others. Prior to joining Mendocino Wine Co., Birdsall previously worked in winemaking at Virginia Dare Winery, Treasury Wine Estates, Bronco Wine Co. and others. CAWG hires government- relations director The California Association of Winegrape Growers in Sacramento selected Michael Miiller as its new director of government relations. Previously, Miiller was chief of staff and communications director for state assemblyman Marc Levine. Miiller has held various positions for legislative leaders in the state senate and assembly and served as a legislative liaison during the Pete Wilson and Gray Davis admin- istrations. As director of govern- ment relations, Miiller will monitor a wide range of state public policy issues and represent CAWG before the California State Legislature and regulatory agencies. Benovia co-founder now general manager Mary Dewane, co-founder and owner of Benovia Winery, is now the company's general manager. Dewane co-founded the small- production, family-owned winery in the Russian River Valley with her husband, Joe Anderson, in 2005. According to the press release an- nouncing the change, Benovia's allocation list has grown to the point where the winery needed increased management and ad- ministration. Dewane was chosen by Benovia's board of directors because of her experience as a CEO earlier in her career, her back- ground in farming and her role as a hands-on owner. Before co-found- ing Benovia, she was the CEO of CalOptima, a $1.5 billion-per-year health plan and one of the largest Medicaid-managed care organiza- tions in the country. Lake County winery group hires executive director Jill Ruzicka is the new executive director of the Lake County Winery Association. Ruzicka is a native of Lakeport, Calif., and spent the past three years working in the county administrative office overseeing Regional News WINE INDUSTRY NEWS Michael Weyna Tonnellerie de Mercurey USA, Inc m.weyna@tonnellerie-de-mercurey.com 707.246.1708 Corey Guinnee, OREGON Tonnellerie de Mercurey, Oregon corey@enologygroup.com 971.237.5071 www.tonnellerie-de-mercurey.com We read the trees in every parcel. Find out more about our terroir based, Evolution Oak Selections and perfectly matched toast protocols. Bordeaux and Burgundy barrels. Do you see fine grain French oak? We do. Mary Dewane Sebastian Donoso