Newsletter – Fall 2013

Harvest is fast approaching and before our lives become completely consumed with vines and grapes we wanted to update you on where we’ve been over the past several months and where we plan on going post harvest ’13 and into 2014. While 2013 was a very busy year for many of us personally (a couple of new wineries are in the works, and new responsibilities and even a new baby are on the way for Tegan and Olivia), we were pleased by our recent progress and gratified by your support.

We were delighted to welcome Bob Biale to the HVS Board of Directors. Bob is a Founding Partner in Robert Biale Vineyards and President of Zinfandel Advocates and Producers and an active member of the Napa County Farm Bureau. Bob’s passion for historic vineyards is lifelong and unmatched; we feel very fortunate to have him on our team.
Joel Peterson has formally joined HVS as a special consultant. Joel needs no introduction to California wine lovers. Those of you who have participated in past HVS events have seen his love for and knowledge of our vineyard heritage on full display!
In January, HVS hosted a benefit dinner at the Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley. Special guests included Joel, Paul Draper, Dino Amantite, Darrell Corti, Jay Heminway and Bill Easton. I think those of you who joined us will agree that this was an evening of memorable food, rare and amazing wines and great company!
Also in January, HVS organized and led the “Flights” session for the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers Association (ZAP). The session, which was led by Joel Peterson and organized by David Gates; featured historic vineyards from five California appellations and included presentations from Tegan Passalacqua, Morgan Twain Peterson, Bob Biale and Dennis Patton.
In, February, HVS collaborated on a wine offering through the Rare Wine Company. We would like to thank the producers who contributed wines for this offering as well as Manny and Barry, who have supported HVS fundraising efforts from the beginning.
On April 15, House Resolution 9 was passed by the California State Assembly. HR 9 was sponsored by Tom Daly (District 69) with the support of Staff Member David Miller and the Historic Vineyard Society. Because the Bill represents the first official sanctioning of the state’s historic vineyards, we consider it to be a landmark event and a major step forward. The text of HR 9 can be found here: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140HR9
In late April, HVS was invited by Viticulture and Enology students from the University of California at Davis to lead a tasting of wines made from historic vineyards. Several professors were in attendance as was Darrell Corti. Mike Officer, Tegan Passalacqua and Steve Hall served as presenters for the event. The V&E students voted the HVS event as the “best tasting of the year.” HVS plans to make this an annual event!
On May 11, the Historic Vineyard Society held its 3rd Annual Vineyard Tour and Dinner. The tour was led by HVS Board Members David Gates, Tegan Passalacqua, Mike Officer and Morgan Twain-Peterson with the assistance of Doug Nalle and Ned Neumiller. Vineyards toured included Whitton Ranch, Vineyard 101, Seghesio Chianti Station Vineyard (all in the Alexander Valley) and Henderlong Ranch in the Dry Creek Valley. It was a fine day of vineyards, food, wine and friends!

HVS plans for 2014 are no less ambitious. We will once again lead the ZAP Flights session, which will be preceded by the 2nd Annual HVS fundraising dinner (plans are underway!). The fourth annual Vineyard Tour and Dinner will be held in May 2014 – and will feature historic vineyards from the Napa Valley. Two new events that we are working on include participation in the Lodi Zinfest and a special celebration of one of California’s most iconic vineyards. In addition, we plan to work with UC Davis students once again and to continue to actively work with state and local government to protect California’s vineyard heritage. Finally, there are rumors afoot concerning a HVS wine – which will be something quite special and unique, we assure you!

We would like to encourage you to visit the new HVS website at www.historicvineyardsociety.org. We are continuing to uncover new historic vineyards and to add color and life to those we’ve already discovered. We welcome your contributions in support of California’s historic vines which can be made on the website. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Historic Vineyard Society, thank you for your support over the past three years. We welcome your comments and look forward to seeing you again in the vineyards.

Cheers,

HVS Board Members