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In the Head of Winemaking role, Kestler, currently overseeing all wine production activity, will extend her responsibilities to include more strategic alignment between viticulture, marketing and sales. In her new position she will bolster the already impressive Wente Family Estates collection of brands and guide the winemaking team into an exciting future.Monterey County, California Vineyard/Winery Owner Expresses Frustration With U.S. Government’s Blanket Freeze Holding Up Wine Area Designation
GREENFIELD, CA. — Ann Hougham, owner of Mesa Del Sol Vineyards in Greenfield, has written to President Donald Trump and various Congressional leaders expressing her deep frustration at the lack of movement to lift a freeze on expanding the Arroyo Seco American Viticultural Area where her vineyard and winery are located.
“I am writing as a small vineyard/winery owner frustrated over the lack of movement to lift the blanket ‘Regulatory Freeze Pending Review’ put in place as of January 2017 that is egregiously affecting my business,” writes Hougham in a letter dated Dec. 5. “How many other businesses are affected by this ‘Regulatory Freeze Pending Review?’ I am extremely frustrated, I can attest to that!”
The Arroyo Seco AVA is an up-and-coming region for wines of distinction. According to Hougham, wines made from grapes grown on her land have been garnering high honors, but she is not able to claim that the grapes grown on her land are in the Arroyo Seco AVA, nor can she label her wines as such.
Since December 2016, Hougham has had a “Petition to Expand the Arroyo Seco American Viticultural Area” signed and ready to go to public comment before publishing, just awaiting permission from the U.S. Treasury, but which is now stalled by the regulatory freeze.
“A ruling on this petition has absolutely no tax implications. Every person and entity is in favor of this ruling,” she writes. “In my case, a ruling in favor and the publishing of this petition is righting something that was previously thought to be fact. For me and the other wineries that purchase my grapes, however, it is taxing.”
Hougham’s petition has been “perfected” and meets the U.S. Alcohol and Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) regulatory requirements for expanding AVAs. She was told in December 2016, that the petition was on the desk of Amy Greenberg, Director of TTB’s Regulations and Rulings Division, awaiting her signature before heading to a 90-day public comment period.
A few weeks later, Hougham was told that there was a halt to the process because a new administration was coming in, which is customary. In January 2017, she was informed that the Treasury Department was waiting for positions to be filled by the new administration. Then the regulatory freeze occurred, halting the entire process.
“I have spoken out because this issue needs to be addressed, not just for me but for many others,” Hougham writes. “Our government has ground to a halt, freezing businesses from moving forward. I know there are bigger issues at hand however, please, do this important piece of housekeeping and let’s move forward.”
Hougham said that she joined the Monterey County Growers and Vintners Association (MCGVA) specifically to be placed on the Arroyo Seco AVA map. She discovered, however, that her vineyard in Arroyo Seco was not in the Arroyo Seco AVA, but was contiguous to it. But she points out that, since 2001, it has been designated such by TTB permits, California Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) permits, Monterey County permits, and numerous distinguished wine labels, including her own Mesa Del Sol label.
She then began the arduous task of petitioning the TTB to expand the Arroyo Seco AVA to prove that the name and the area’s distinguishing features applied to her lands as well.
It took her two months of research to compile the evidence necessary, write the petition and garner a slew of signatures in support of her petition and submit it to the TTB. On May 19, 2015, Greenberg wrote her informing her that her petition had been “perfected” and met TTB’s regulatory requirements for expanding AVAs.
Her petition then went to the bottom of the list of the TTB’s “List of Pending American Viticultural Area Petitions” and eventually began making the rounds of various government agencies for review and approval. Her petition is now at the top of the list, which continues to grow longer with no movement forward due to the freeze.
“A regulatory freeze sounds good in principle, however, it freezes movement forward for everything across the board,” Hougham said.
J Lohr Winemaker Steve Peck named ‘WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR’ BY THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY WINE INDUSTRY
San Jose, Calif.–J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines announced that Red Winemaker Steve Peck has been named ‘Winemaker of the Year’ by the San Luis Obispo County wine industry. Peck was nominated for ‘Winemaker of the Year’ by an esteemed group of industry associations that includes the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, the San Luis Obispo Wine Country Association, the Independent Grape Growers of the Paso Robles Area and The Vineyard Team. After being nominated, Peck was voted the ‘Winemaker of the Year’ honor by his industry peers in recognition of his leadership and accomplishments on behalf of San Luis Obispo County winemaking. San Luis Obispo County is California’s third largest wine region, and the home to J. Lohr’s sustainably-certified vineyards and winery in Paso Robles.
Eve with J. Lohr winemaker Steve Peck
As the red winemaker for family-owned J. Lohr for the past decade, Peck leverages his passion for viticulture and his comprehensive technical knowledge to lead J. Lohr’s red wine program. This program includes more than 2,600 acres of red varieties, primarily focused on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah in Paso Robles, and more than 140 acres of Pinot Noir in the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco appellations of Monterey County. With an academic focus on chemical engineering and fermentation sciences, Steve put himself through UC Davis as part of the team at Joseph Phelps Vineyards, before pursuing opportunities in the biotech industry.
Inspired by an early mentorship making homemade wines with his uncle, Peck dedicated himself to learning the art of winemaking on his own time. In 2001, his love of winemaking brought him back to the industry full-time as winemaker for Five Rivers Winery, and in 2004, he also became responsible for the red wines at Jekel Vineyards. In 2007, Peck was named red winemaker for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, and from 2007 through 2015, he sat on the board of the Central Coast Vineyard Team, serving as board president for the last four years.
“Steve’s deep knowledge of Paso Robles’ growing conditions and soils, regard for the nuance of winemaking craft, and unrelenting pursuit of true varietal characteristic in our red wines has garnered him great respect within J. Lohr and across the wine industry,” said Director of Winemaking, President/COO Jeff Meier, who has been with J. Lohr for 33 years. “Everything we do at J. Lohr yields a continual focus on improvement and quality, and the wines in our portfolio demonstrate Steve’s acumen and passion at its best. He is indeed a deserving recipient for recognition by the San Luis Obispo County wine industry.”
As part of an acclaimed winemaking team that includes Winemaker, White Wine, Kristen Barnhisel, and Assistant Winemaker Brenden Wood, Peck is widely recognized for helping to make some of the finest wines in J. Lohr’s history, with his influence shaping all of the red wines in four J. Lohr signature tiers. These tiers include J. Lohr Estates, J. Lohr Vineyard Series, J. Lohr Cuvée Series, and the limited-release wines of J. Lohr Gesture, Rhône varieties and blends that have fueled growth of the Lohr wine club since their release in 2009. Recent high praise for J. Lohr red wines include Double Gold Medal/Best of Class of Region, 98 points, for each of the 2012 J. Lohr Cuvée St. E, 2014 J. Lohr Gesture Mourvèdre, and the 2013 J. Lohr Tower Road Petite Sirah, all awarded by the 2016 California State Fair; the Chairman’s Trophy and 97 and 96 points respectively for the 2012 J. Lohr Cuvée PAU and the 2013 J. Lohr Tower Road Petite Sirah, awarded by the 2016 Ultimate Beverage Challenge; and countless Double Gold, Gold and Best of Class/Best of Region for the 2013 J. Lohr Gesture Syrah. Steve was especially pleased to
see the 2014 J. Lohr Gesture Syrah awarded Best of Class at the Mid-State Fair’s 2016 Central Coast Wine Competition.
Previous J. Lohr award recipients include J. Lohr Vineyard Manager Steve Carter, who was named 2003 Winegrape Grower of the Year, and J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Founder Jerry Lohr, who was honored as the 2008 Wine Industry Person of the Year. Visit www.midstatefair.com for more information.
About J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
Founded four decades ago by Jerry Lohr, and still family-owned and operated today, J.Lohr Vineyards & Wines crafts a full line of internationally recognized wines from more than 5,000 acres of sustainably-farmed, estate vineyards in Paso Robles, Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands appellations, and St. Helena in the Napa Valley. Offering an expressive range of styles, J. Lohr produces four tiers of signature wines showcasing its estate grapes–J. Lohr Estates, J. Lohr Vineyard Series, J. Lohr Cuvée Series and J. Lohr Gesture.
Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco AVA Getting Closer on Wrapping Up An Ideal Harvest
Region’s well-known fog, cooling winds, and mild growing conditions make for a hallmark vintage
As the last truckloads of grapes come in across California, it’s clear that Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco American Viticulture Area (AVA) has experienced a keystone vintage that will go down in history as one of the region’s best.
“To sum up, Mother Nature was kind this year,” said Mike Kohne, winemaker for Mercy Vineyards, whose winery produces wines from the Arroyo Seco’s trademark Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties. “In the Arroyo Seco we really had an idyllic growing season: dry and mild which limited yields and provided even ripening. Key indicators such as limited shatter, limited sun damage, small clusters and berries all highlighted nature’s kindness. And, most importantly, the fruit tasted balanced and flavorful which points to outstanding vintage wines.”
Jeff Meier, president, COO and director of winemaking of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines concurred. “In Arroyo Seco we saw cooler weather in July and August, with a lot of fog and clouds, which delayed the ripening of the grapes and prolonged our harvest dates by more days than in an average year. As a result, the acids are looking typical for a coolish vintage, which will give the wines lovely structure and focus. The extra hang time on the Pinot Noir has also allowed for the signature fabulous color that is characteristic of Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir. Our Riesling and Valdiguié are the last grapes to harvest before we wrap up on this year’s amazing Arroyo Seco vintage.”
“This was certainly a harvest to remember,” said Roger Moitoso, wine grower at Arroyo Seco Vineyards. “It was a totally dry growing season, which kicked off with a good fruit set. During the summer months, the region was cooled just enough by our typical fog and aggressive winds so that the ripening season was warm and sunny. However, unlike average years during my 28 years of farming in the Arroyo Seco, we never had any heat spikes throughout the growing season. The mild weather produced even ripening across the board.”
Cedar Lane Vineyard and Mission Ranch Vineyard Owner, Mark Chesebro, described 2013 as “a hallmark vintage.” “The dry, long and mild growing season with even ripening has turned out brilliant fruit across the Arroyo Seco. I couldn’t be more pleased.”
With harvest nearing an end, and many wines already barreled-down, excitement abounds across the region. Only time will tell but sentiment for the 2013 vintage could not be higher in the Arroyo Seco AVA.
About the Arroyo Seco Winegrowers
The Arroyo Seco Winegrowers Association provides advocacy, marketing and support services to its winegrower and winery members by educating consumers, media and trade audiences on the distinct characteristics of the region in an effort to bring broader awareness to the Arroyo Seco American Viticultural Area. As one of oldest of the nine AVAs within Monterey County, the Arroyo Seco is a cool climate AVA influenced by the Monterey Bay, well-drained rocky soils, extreme winds and experienced growers who have been growing grapes for over 40 years. For more information on the winegrape growers and wines from the Arroyo Seco AVA, please visit www.ArroyoSecoWinegrowers.com
