Schramsberg’s Davies poses for NCFB calendar

The Napa County Farm Bureau recently released the 2010 “Napa Uncovered Calendar,” in which 14 NCFB members, including Schramsberg’s Hugh Davies, uncover their assets to raise funds for farmland protection. 

In this calendar, Al Wagner, also known as Mr. July is seen with another one of his favorite straw hats. “The calendar shows the bare essence of Napa and is an entertaining and subtly revealing look at Napa agriculture,” he said. Wagner, who is vineyard manager for Clos Du Val winery, is seen without his infamous red apron in the 2010 calendar.

The calendar includes 14 growers, ranchers and winery owners including grower Ernie Ilsley from the Stag’s Leap District and brothers Matt and Joe Hardin whose families arrived in the Napa Valley in 1840. All models enthusiastically supported the project as a fun approach to Farm Bureau’s serious mission of protecting Napa’s agricultural legacy.

Calendars can be purchased at napauncovered.com for $23 with tax and mailing, or $40 for the limited edition of the autographed calendar. Proceeds from the calendar support Napa County agricultural preservation.

Peter Mondavi to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Peter Mondavi Sr. of Charles Krug Winery is one of three wine luminaries who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the California State Fair this year. Winemaker Zelma Long and viticulture professor Vincent Petrucci will join Mondavi in receiving awards. 

“We are thrilled and honored that Dad is being acknowledged for his life’s work,” said Peter Mondavi Jr., Peter’s son and co-proprietor of Charles Krug Winery.  The Napa Valley wine business was effectively started in 1861 by Charles Krug, whose historic estate has been in the Peter Mondavi family since 1943. In honoring Mondavi the selection committee noted his unselfish commitment to Napa Valley wine-making and more than 60 years of groundbreaking innovations.

This year’s honorees will be feted July 9 at California’s Grape & Gourmet, the State Fair’s annual celebration of California wine held at the Sacramento Convention Center. The awards ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m. and will be followed by a public tasting of this year’s award-winning wines. 

 

Spottswoode family to lead 2010 ANV

Though the dust has barely settled on the 2009 Auction Napa Valley charity wine auction, work is already well under way for the 2010 event, as the Napa Valley Vintners’ (NVV) trade association announces the chairs for what will be the 30th anniversary of renowned fundraiser. To rousing applause at the recent general membership meeting, Beth Novak Milliken of Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery accepted the duties on behalf of herself, her family and the winery team.

ANV will take place June 3-6, chaired by Mary Weber Novak, proprietor, and Beth Novak Milliken, president, as well as their team at Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery.

Home Winemakers Classic set

The 27th Annual Home Winemakers Classic, featuring the wines from 65 homemade wine makers, will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at St. Supery Winery, 8440 St. Helena Highway in Rutherford.

The continuing theme — “The 2009 Ultimate Cult Wine Event” — reminds those who visit this party that they will receive exceptional and unusual tasting of wine to be found no where else. The wines will be combined with fine foods, live music, excellent silent auction selections and a grand raffle. Taking place on the sprawling lawns in front of St. Supery Winery, it is attended by devoted locals and out-of-town wine lovers.

The event’s sole purpose is to raise money to support the Dry Creek-Lokoya Volunteer Fire Department, located in the western hills of Napa County. Admission to the event is $45 presale and $50 the day of the event. Admission tickets may be purchased from www.drycreek.org or by calling 944-8626 or 255-6372.

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