LAKEPORT – Lake County winegrape growers are invited to attend two events focusing on “quality,” the Lake County Winegrape Commission has announced.

The first is a growers marketing meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 7, at the Lakeport Yacht Club, 15 Fifth St. The second, a pruning workshop for vineyard owners and managers, is slated for the following day, Friday, Jan. 8, at the Robledo Family Winery, 2040 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport.

With a focus on “Quality Marketing in this Economy,” the marketing meeting will start with registration at 9:30 a.m. Presentations and discussions are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Commission Chair Peter Molnar and Executive Director Shannon Gunier will facilitate the meeting and make presentations aimed at assisting the county’s growers with marketing issues.

Gunier will begin the meeting with an update on current commission activities and will review key marketing activities from the past year.

“Lake County Rising,” Molnar’s portion of the program, will feature a look at “a new direction for the Commission’s marketing activities, focusing on re-defined key messages for current and prospective customers,” according the meeting agenda.

Molnar will base his comments on findings of the Commission’s examination of its budget and marketing methods that are “worthwhile, timely, and in keeping with the current economy.”

A presentation entitled “What wineries and grower relations representatives are looking for in this economy – the unvarnished truth” will help growers identify necessary products and tools they may need to offer buyers in the current economic climate.

“Buyers are looking for good value along with good quality,” the meeting agenda states. Presenters will discuss how Lake County fruit will fit in with providing value with excellent quality.

Attendees will enjoy a networking lunch following the business portion of the meeting.

The “Pruning for Quality” workshop on Friday, Jan. 8, will be presented in English and Spanish.

Reynaldo Robledo Sr. will share his pruning techniques starting at 10 a.m. Registration for the workshop will start at 9:30 a.m. at the winery.

Robledo manages more than 200 acres for other growers and owns 37 acres of his own where he has started to produce his own wines. He works long hours to increase his knowledge and skill in the vineyards, states a commission announcement about the workshop. He says the learning never ends. Workshop participants will be invited to enjoy lunch following the pruning clinic.

Winegrape growers interested in the marketing meeting or workshop should call the Lake County Winegrape Commission office, 707-995-3421.

For more information about upcoming Lake County Winegrape Commission events, visit the Commission Web site, www.lakecountywinegrape.org , or call 995-3421.

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