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A Note from the Commission President...
Lake County's wine industry is in prime position with great news to report on the 2014 harvest.
With the March 10 release of USDA's 2014 Crush Report, Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon garnered the third-highest weighted average price per ton in the state, behind Napa and Sonoma. Lake County winegrapes also recorded the year's second-highest price-per-ton increase among winegrapes throughout the North Coast region. Read on for details. Over the past several years, many Lake County winegrape growers have increased their commitment to sustainability and several have achieved third-party sustainability certification for their vineyards through the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA). Join me in congratulating Lake County grape growers Buz and Terry Dereniuk, Larry Rogers, and Broc and Sharron Zoller for their dedication to sustainable winegrowing and for achieving certified status! Be sure to look for a feature article on their commitment and what it takes to achieve certification in an upcoming issue of the LCWC eNews. Mark Your Calendar... Find out about the state of our industry and the demand for Lake County winegrapes at this must-attend event - Momentum 2015 - on Monday, April 13, at the Soper-Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Lake County winegrape growers can get in for free by registering online in advance using Promo Code: GROWER15 We are presenting several other informative events coming up this spring - read on for details on an informative water seminar (April 9) put on in conjunction with the Lake County Farm Bureau and UC Cooperative Extension and two wine industry seminars (April 15) put on by SSU's Wine Business Institute. Cheers, Debra
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Register Now for Momentum 2015
Don't miss Momentum 2015, which will be held Monday, April 13, 1:00-4:30 p.m., at the Soper-Reese Theatre in Lakeport.
This year's seminar will feature a keynote presentation by Christian Miller of Full Glass Research on "The Outlook for Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc," as well as a winegrower panel discussion, a technical tasting of Lake County Sauvignon Blanc, and wine and hors d'oeuvres.
The keynote presentation will provide information on the market demand for Lake County grapes, and growers will have an opportunity to pose questions to a panel of fellow winegrowers and to connect with colleagues.
Advance registration is required for the event. Register online at www.lakecountywinegrape.org/momentum. Lake County wine grape growers may attend for free by using Promo Code GROWER15.
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'Water Stewardship in Drought Conditions' Set for April 9
Lake County Winegrape Commission is collaborating with the Lake County Farm Bureau and UC Cooperative Extension to present an in-depth seminar titled, Water Stewardship in Drought Conditions.
This free seminar will be presented Thursday, April 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Soper-Reese Theatre, 275 South Main Street, Lakeport.
Presentations will include a keynote by Janet Pauli of the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission on "Water Storage and Lake Mendocino - Raising Coyote Dam," a Lake County water update by Lake County's Water Resources Director Scott DeLeon, and a statewide overview of surface water by Jack Rice of the California Farm Bureau Federation.
Sustainable groundwater management and the Irrigated Lands Program also will be featured topics. California Water Law and Conservation Attorney Tom Hicks is scheduled to talk about the state's water policy and law. "Water Use in Agriculture - Crop Water Estimation and Technology" will feature a panel of experts including Don Schukraft of Western Weather, Tom Shapland of Tule Technology, and Bryan Rahn of Coastal Viticultural Consultants.
Admission is free. Advance registration is strongly encouraged. Register online at: http://water2015.eventbrite.com.
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SSU to Present Wine Industry Seminars
in Kelseyville on April 15
Lake County winegrape growers and wineries are invited to participate in two wine industry seminars hosted by the Lake County Winegrape Commission and presented by the Sonoma State University Wine Institute.
"Selling Through the Tasting Room" and "How to Build a Profitable Wine Club" will be offered April 15, morning and afternoon, respectively. Elizabeth Slater will teach each of the 4-hour sessions.
For details and registration, call (707) 664-3235 or send an email to [email protected].
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PG&E Hosts Free Irrigation Seminar Today
PG&E is hosting a free irrigation seminar March 19 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport. The presentations are geared to agricultural and municipal applications.
PG&E will have its mobile education center onsite and will present information on energy efficient programs. Learn how Pumps and VFDs work and how you can save energy and money.
This event is presented by Fresno State's Center for Irrigation Technology AgWaterEnergy Center. Attendees will find out about the Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program (APEP) and have the opportunity to see live demos of irrigation pumps, variable frequency drives, and adjustable speed drives for pumping applications. Lunch will be provided.
Nancy Comstock of the Pump Efficiency Testing Service in Petaluma will be present to answer questions about testing services for electrical and diesel driven pumps and the PG&E subsidy program for testing services.
Advanced registration is encouraged as space is limited. Click here to view PG&E's event flier.
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LCWC had a great representation at the 2015 Unified Symposium. LCWC pourers included (pictured from left) Sonoma State University student Jessica Myers, Lake County Winery Association Executive Director Terry Dereniuk, LCWC Office Manager Susan Peters, LCWC President Debra Sommerfield, and LCWC Vice Chair Jonathan Walters (not pictured).
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LCWC Poured at the 2015 Unified Symposium
The Lake County Winegrape Commission once again poured a selection of Lake County wines at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento in January. The largest annual industry trade show in the nation, Unified is attended by more than 14,000 wine and grape industry professionals from all over the world.
Each year, the show features a Regional Wine Tasting during which associations from around the country pour wines from their region. LCWC presented 13 wines for tasting and answered a range of questions about the Lake County winegrowing region.
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Lake County Winegrapes Log Second-Highest Price Per Ton Increase Across North Coast
Figures for the 2014 harvest, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS), show Lake County's weighted average price per ton had the second-highest price increase in the North Coast region.
Lake County's 7.7 percent increase to $1,516 (all varieties) for sales transactions among non-related entities fell just behind Napa's 8.1 percent increase for the year.
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Lake County Wines Make Headlines
Sunset Magazine's Schneider Picks a Sparkler from Lake County
In an article on pairing wine with Southern food, Sunset Magazine Wine Editor Sara Schneider selected Bodkin "Cuvee Ianuariis" Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc from Lake County, calling it "One of a kind!" and suggesting a shrimp po'boy as the southern pairing for this sparkler.
"Wines with Soul" by Sara Schneider, Sunset, February 2015
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California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance Receives Governor's Top Environmental Award
On January 21, California Governor Jerry Brown presented the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) with the 2015 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA), the state's highest environmental honor.
Read More
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Grape and Wine Marketplace
2015 GRAPES WANTED:
Cabernet Sauvignon/Sauvignon Blanc/Sauvignon Musque
Seeking 2015 Lake County fruit: approximately five truckloads of Cabernet Sauvignon, two to three truckloads of Sauvignon Blanc, and one truckload of Sauvignon Musque. Please contact: Nicole Walsh, Bonny Doon Vineyard, phone: 831-901-7806 or e-mail: [email protected].
Looking to Sell or Buy Grapes or Juice?
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Affiliate Sponsor:
Vintage Nurseries Introduces 
All-New Root Sock
More proof that you, the growers, are first priority to Vintage Nurseries and that they keep growing for you. The Vintage Nurseries "Growers First" philosophy has really taken root. The company has created the Vintage Root Sock system that is globally exclusive to Vintage Nurseries. They made it their mission to develop this innovation to save you time, money, and hassle, and they realized that it couldn't just be new, it had to be different.
The advantages of these new root socks are that they eliminate pots and trays in your fields, are palletized for quick and easy unloading, and are adaptable to all programs adding fertilizer, Mycorrhizae, and more. In fact, every single vine is inspected by hand, which results in savings on labor and costs. They also save time with a 15 percent faster planting rate and are 100 percent biodegradable and environmentally friendly. The Vintage Root Sock is exclusive to Vintage Nurseries (patent pending). Reserve yours today for 2015 as production is limited to 500,000.
Vintage Nurseries is planning and planting the things you need for your success.
For more information, please call Vintage Nurseries at (800) 499-9019,
or e-mail Dustin Hooper, Director of Sales, at
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 Affiliate Sponsor:
Guillaume Grapevine Nursery
Shannon Ranches Inc. has been named head of production, sales and marketing for Guillaume Grapevine Nursery, a family-owned business located in Knights Landing, California, effective immediately.
Shannon's Ranches, a vineyard management and development company, a sister division of Shannon Ridge Family of Wines, currently manages over 4,000 acres of vineyard in the North Coast of California of which over 1,000 acres of company owned vineyards are located in Lake County and provide fruit for the Shannon Ridge wine brands.
In 2008 a U.S. subsidiary was opened in Knights Landing. Guillaume supplies grapevines for some of the largest wine companies in California, and imports wines to the U.S. from its holdings in France.
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 Affiliate Sponsor:
George Petersen
Insurance Agency
A Lake County Winegrape Commission Affiliate Sponsor since 2012, George Petersen Insurance Agency has been providing comprehensive insurance coverage since 1935. With over 75 years of experience, the agency prides itself on delivering exceptional service at competitive pricing. It's focus has always been on serving its clients and protecting their assets, claim the agency's representatives.
As one of the largest independently owned agencies in California, Petersen Insurance has the size and experience to provide in-house expertise for every kind of insurance coverage.
The company's vision is to develop and maintain comprehensive, strategic and innovative insurance portfolios. Petersen Insurance claims its growth and success are rooted in strong relationships it has developed with its clients and carriers.
With more than 10 offices in Northern California and Oregon, Petersen Insurance offers all types of coverage for businesses and personal insurance. Additionally, Petersen Insurance provides risk management services.
For more information about George Petersen Insurance, visit www.gpins.com online or call (800) 236-9046.
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Free Irrigation Seminar
Lake County Fairgrounds, Lakeport
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Water Stewardship in Drought Conditions - Free Seminar
Soper-Reese Theatre, Lakeport
Presented by Lake County Winegrape Commission, Lake County Farm Bureau and UC Cooperative Extension
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Momentum 2015
April 13, 2015
Soper-Reese Theatre, Lakeport
Presented by Lake County Winegrape Commission
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Wine Industry Seminars
Lake County Winegrape Commission Office, Kelseyville
Presented by Sonoma State University
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Additional events can be found on the Commission's web site
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