KELSEYVILLE – Two prominent wine writers from leading beverage magazines recently toured Lake County wineries as guests of the Lake County Winegrape Commission, prompting the commission to state that its marketing efforts are paying off.
Independent wine writers Alan Goldfarb, currently working with Appellation America, and Deborah Parker Wong, Northern California editor of The Tasting Panel Magazine, toured area wineries, met with local winegrape growers, and enjoyed wine tasting at various venues during their separate visits.
"Over the last few years, the Commission's marketing committee has focused on getting key wine writers to come to Lake County, tour the region and taste our wines,” said Peter Molnar, chair of the Commission and its marketing committee. “Bringing journalists in to experience our area’s fine wine is important to the Commission’s goal of ‘getting the word out’ about Lake County as a premier winegrape growing region. Our growers and winery representatives did a wonderful job hosting these two notable individuals.”
Goldfarb is a journalist, book author and former radio show host. He was the wine editor at the St. Helena Star in Napa Valley and now serves as a regional editor at Appellation America, an online publication offering extensive information on North American wine and wineries.
Following his visit to Lake County, he listed wines from Gregory Graham and Six Sigma wineries in his recommendations posted on the Appellation America Web site.
Goldfarb’s tour of Lake County included tasting at Greg Graham Winery, Sauvignon Blanc tasting with Mark Burch, tour and tasting with Molnar, and a tasting at Steele Wines.
During a luncheon and tasting grape growing pioneers Myron and Marilyn Holdenried, Walt and Madelene Lyon, and Larry Rogers shared information about Lake County’s history with the journalist.
Goldfarb was a dinner guest of Bill and Patty Brunetti at their home in Lakeport, where he enjoyed samples of Snows Lake vintages. The writer also reviewed and tasted wines at Brassfield Estate with winemaker Kevin Robinson.
Wong’s visit to Lake County resulted in two feature articles for The Tasting Panel Magazine, a monthly trade publication for beverage industry professionals.
Wong, who has also been a judge for the San Francisco International Wine Competition, told the commission that she enjoyed her Lake County tour so much that she brought her family back for a summer vacation.
Several local Sauvignon Blanc growers welcomed Wong to a barbecue and tasting at the Roumiguiere Vineyards during her tour of the area. She was also treated to visits with growers David and Bonnie Weiss, Mark Burch, and Clay and Margarita Shannon.
Noting the success of publicity following the tours by Goldfarb and Wong, Molnar said the Winegrape Commission continues to invite journalists to Lake County in an effort to market the area’s growing wine industry.
“It is our time to tell our story and let wine consumers know about the wonderful wine and wine grapes we are producing here in Lake County,” he said.
Established in 1991 by the winegrape growers of Lake County, the Lake County Winegrape Commission is a local marketing order, the primary function of which is to provide marketing, education and research programs to Lake County winegrape growers.
For more information contact the commission at 707-995-3421, fax 707-996-3618 or visit www.lakecountywinegrape.org .
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