Tonnage production was down by approximately 23 percent compared to the total winegrapes produced in 2007, yet the majority of the county’s varietals averaged higher prices per ton compared to the prior year, the report revealed.

“The loss of more than 9,000 tons of winegrapes between 2007 and 2008 is nearly completely due to an unprecedented cold frost that hit all of the North Coast grape growing region at a critical time last year,” said Lake County Winegrape Commission Executive Director Shannon Gunier.

Lake County’s total winegrape tonnage of 27,917 for 2008 is a 23.1-percent decrease from the 2007 total of 36,321 tons, CDFA statistics show.

According to local grower John Roumiguiere, many regions within Lake County experienced a “convection frost” last spring.

The unusual weather pattern is a “still air frost” as opposed to a “frontal frost” that usually occurs before or after a storm, he said.

With temperatures dropping to 25 degrees, the frost was especially harsh to the county’s high elevation vineyards that do not have, nor usually need, frost protection, explained Roumiguiere.

The good news emerging from the CDFA report, said Gunier, is that Lake County winegrape prices continue to rise.

Overall, average prices in 2008 were up by 2 percent from the previous year for the county, with an average of $1,241 per ton, the preliminary CDFA figures indicated.

“While businesses and industries, including agriculture, continue to face economic challenges, Lake County is positioned well in the premium wine market and will continue to do well as wineries look to Lake County for quality wine grapes,” said Gunier. “We believe the numbers released Tuesday indicate good things for Lake County winegrape growers.”

Among the crops, Chardonnay was hit the hardest, both in quantity and value, according to the CDFA preliminary report.

Production of Chardonnay grapes totaled 794 tons, down 60 percent from the prior year. In addition, the average price per ton – at $1,010 for 2008 – declined 24 percent, making Chardonnay the only major varietal grown in Lake County to suffer a decrease in average price per ton.

The CDFA statistics indicated Sauvignon Blanc in Lake County totaled 8,741 tons (down 15 percent from 2007) and increased slightly (3.6 percent) to $915 in average price per ton.

Cabernet Sauvignon growers earned $1,436 per ton, up 2.5 percent, and produced 10,330 tons, down nearly 25 percent.

For Merlot growers, the average price per ton increased more than 12 percent to $877 per ton; but tonnage was down approximately 24 percent to 1,245 tons.

Production of Syrah grapes dipped 26.5 percent (876 tons for the year); yet Syrah growers saw a rise of 11.5 percent for average price of $1,348 per ton.

At 1,997 tons of Zinfandel grapes for 2008, the varietal tonnage decreased by more than 18 percent while the price per ton increased to an average of $1,280, a 6.5 percent improvement in value.

Although the CDFA is preliminary, it is a good indicator of last year’s winegrape crop results, said Gunier.

Statistics have shown a steady increase in price for Lake County’s white winegrapes since 2003. The 2007 average price for whites was $1,141 per ton. Red varietal prices have fluctuated the past several years, with a high average of $1,539 in 2002. The average for reds in 2007 was $1,384 per ton.

For additional information about Lake County’s winegrape production, visit the Lake County Winegrape Commission Web site, www.lakecountywinegrape.org.

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This advisory committee will make recommendations to the department on Specialty Crop Block Grant Program applications authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill. Individuals interested in serving on the committee are urged to apply by Feb. 23.

“By working with our growers and processors we can keep California’s specialty crop sector innovative and competitive,” said Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “This advisory committee will help determine projects that meet the agricultural needs of this state.”

The 2008 Farm Bill amends the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act of 2004, providing increased federal funding to states through fiscal year 2012.

It is anticipated that $49 million will be made available in the current year, of which approximately $14.5 million would be allocated for California. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).

The Specialty Crop Advisory Committee will consist of 12 individuals who represent the diversity of California’s specialty crop industry. Members receive no compensation, but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the Department of Personnel Administration.

By establishing the advisory committee, CDFA is adhering to amended language of the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act, which encourages the development of state plans through a competitive process to ensure maximum public input and benefit.

Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment should submit a resume and a letter of interest demonstrating their commitment to work on behalf of California’s specialty crop industry. Committee members will review applications submitted under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill.

Applications should be sent to Casey Walsh Cady, California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 ‘N’ Street Room 444, Sacramento, CA 95814, or emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Lake County's current viticultural areas. Map courtesy of the Lake County Winegrape Commission.

KELSEYVILLE – Winegrape growers from the Big Valley area have an opportunity to help create greater promotional possibilities for their region's wine.

The growers of Big Valley will gather Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Big Valley Grange to hear a presentation on petitioning for designation of a new appellation. The Lake County Winegrape Commission is arranging the meeting.

Lake County is home to the Red Hills Lake County Appellation, the High Valley Appellation, Guenoc Appellation and Lake County/Clear Lake Appellation, according to commission Executive Director Shannon Gunier.

An appellation is "a winegrowing region with officially recognized boundaries," states information on the Appellation America Web site, http://wine.appellationamerica.com.

Regions specifically defined by actual growing conditions are known as American Viticultural Areas (AVA), one of three classes of appellations.

The Web site notes there are 311 officially recognized wine growing regions in North America, of which only 191 are AVAs in the United States.

Big Valley growers are interested in becoming one of the elite designation to reap the benefits associated with the classification, such as the success both the Red Hills and High Valley appellations have had in promoting and selling Lake County wine, the Commission executive director stated.

There are more than 50 winegrape growers in the Big Valley area who stand to profit if the AVA designation is obtained.

To assist the growers in understanding what has to happen to garner the AVA designation, Rick Gunier, owner of CPI Marketing, will make the presentation Thursday to the Big Valley winegrape producers.

Based on his experience in helping put together development of the Red Hills Lake County AVA, Gunier will outline the logistics involved and discuss the growers' interests and concerns.

A region, via its wineries and winegrape growers, must petition the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. To qualify as an AVA, the petitioners must prove that the region has a unique climate, similar soil types, and a historic link to the name used, Gunier explained. The process for obtaining the designation usually takes a year or two, he said.

The advantage is that the wineries from the area or those using grapes from the area can then boast of the AVA designation by stating it on the wine label, thus differentiating the unique region. It typically enables growers to get better prices for their product than their competitors in other areas of the country, Gunier explained.

Additional information about Lake County appellations and grower outreach meetings can be found on the Lake County Winegrape Commission website,www.lakecountywinegrape.org.

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Shannon Gunier, Lake County Winegrape Commission executive director, and Rob Roumiguiere, a winegrape commission board member, greet visitors at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE – Despite daily reminders of an economic downturn, there’s never been a better time to let people know about Lake County’s winegrape industry. With that in mind, winegrape growers and staff of the Lake County Winegrape Commission recently poured wine at the largest wine industry trade show in the United States.

For the 15th year, the commission presented information and staffed a booth at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium.

This year’s event, Jan. 27 through 30, featured more than 600 booths at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento.

Commission Executive Director Shannon Gunier joined Lake County winegrape growers to pour Lake County wine, share information about the area’s award-winning vintages, and talk to current and prospective winery customers.

A highlight of the show was participating in the international wine pouring held in conjunction with the symposium, Gunier noted.

“They stuck us in a corner up on the third floor, but people were actually seeking us out. They wanted Lake County wine. Our (region’s) Sauvignon Blanc is making a name for us,” said Rob Roumiguiere of Roumiguiere Vineyards who along with his wife Dina helped with the pouring.

Rob also assisted in the commission’s booth during the trade show portion of the symposium. In addition, Randy Krag of Beckstoffer Vineyards joined Gunier in greeting visitors to the commission’s booth, which was designed by Rick Gunier and built by Rick and grower John Roumiguiere.

As one of only a few grape-growing regions represented during the trade show portion of the event, Lake County was among hundreds of booths visited by thousands of wine industry experts and many newcomers.

Surrounded by displays touting winery supplies, from barrels and corks to bottle glass and large vineyard and winery machinery, the Lake County entry was a unique one.

“Not everyone has a Commission like we do,” Rob Roumiguiere noted, referring to the county’s ability to market its wine grapes via the work of the commission.

As individuals stopped at the booth, Lake County’s representatives answered questions ranging from “Where is Lake County?” to “How can I sell my grapes – who’s buying?”

Maps showing the county’s appellations, informative brochures, and other Lake County Winegrape Commission materials were available.

The symposium offered winemakers, wineries, and grape growers several networking opportunities in addition to four days of informative forums and sessions on a variety of topics. More information about the annual show is available on the event’s website, www.unifiedsymposium.org.

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. Winegrapes are Lake County’s largest dollar volume crop, with 2008 sales expected to exceed $40 million.

For further information about the Commission, see its website, www.lakecountywinegrape.org.

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The House Democratic Steering Committee, including 11 freshmen Members and 17 returning Members, to serve on the House Agriculture Committee. The House Republican Conference has named 17 Republicans to serve on the Committee and has left one seat vacant.

"The Agriculture Committee is responsible for issues as varied as farm programs, commodity markets, nutrition, conservation, renewable energy, and rural development, so the diverse experiences of these Members will bring new ideas and energy to our work on these important issues," Chair Peterson said.

The 28 Democrats who will serve on the committee are:

• Chair Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota;

• Representative Tim Holden of Pennsylvania;

• Representative Mike McIntyre of North Carolina;

• Representative Leonard L. Boswell of Iowa;

• Representative Joe Baca of California;

• Representative Dennis A. Cardoza of California;

• Representative David Scott of Georgia;

• Representative Jim Marshall of Georgia;

• Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota;

• Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas;

• Representative Jim Costa of California;

• Representative Brad Ellsworth of Indiana;

• Representative Timothy J. Walz of Minnesota;

• Representative Kirsten E. Gillibrand of New York;

• Representative Steve Kagen of Wisconsin;

• Representative Kurt Schrader of Oregon;

• Representative Deborah L. Halvorson of Illinois;

• Representative Kathleen A. Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania;

• Representative Eric J. J. Massa of New York;

• Representative Bobby Bright of Alabama;

• Representative Betsy Markey of Colorado;

• Representative Frank Kratovil, Jr. of Maryland;

• Representative Mark H. Schauer of Michigan;

• Representative Larry Kissell of North Carolina;

• Representative John A. Boccieri of Ohio;

• Representative Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota;

• Representative Travis W. Childers of Mississippi;

• Representative Walt Minnick of Idaho.

The 17 Republicans (with one additional vacant seat) who will serve on the committee are:

• Ranking Member Frank Lucas of Oklahoma;

• Representative Bob Goodlatte of Virginia;

• Representative Jerry Moran of Kansas;

• Representative Timothy V. Johnson of Illinois;

• Representative Sam Graves of Missouri;

• Representative Mike Rogers of Alabama;

• Representative Steve King of Iowa;

• Representative Randy Neugebauer of Texas;

• Representative Virginia Foxx of North Carolina;

• Representative K. Michael Conaway of Texas;

• Representative Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska;

• Representative Jean Schmidt of Ohio;

• Representative Adrian Smith of Nebraska;

• Representative Robert E. Latta of Ohio;

• Representative Phil Roe of Tennessee;

• Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri;

• Representative Glenn W. Thompson of Pennsylvania;

• one vacancy.

The House Agriculture Committee has jurisdiction over a wide range of agriculture and rural development issues. These areas include renewable energy, disaster assistance, nutrition, crop insurance, conservation, international trade, futures market regulation, animal and plant health, agricultural research, bioterrorism, forestry and others.

Congressman Peterson has served as chair of the Agriculture Committee since 2007.

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The resort is converting its informal dining room into an upscale dinner house with all new menu and wine list, complete new look and candlelight atmosphere.

Neft will play at the new dinner house from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, adding his mellow piano stylings – pure and simple – to your gourmet dining experience.

For reservations call 800-660-LAKE (5253).

Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa is located at 8727 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.

Call Neft at 987-3630 for info and late changes or additions to his busy gig schedule.

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