Uncategorized - 19. page

During bloom is the ideal time to test your grape leaves and petioles (leaf stems) for any nutritional deficiencies. This analysis can be really helpful, particularly if your vineyard has suffered from low production or illness/disease. And you can use the results to add fertilizer or minerals if needed. Here is some info from FGL, one of the testing companies that I have used. ETS Labs and other testing companies perform this test as well.

For the leaf/petiole analysis, I have used FGL. Request the comprehensive petiole group. They will bill you around $60 for this. Follow instructions for sampling at bloom. Make sure to collect your samples in the morning, and cut the stems (petioles) of the leaves right away otherwise nutrients can flow from petiole to leaf, and brown bag them in separate bags instead of using ziplocks.  I send them in one usps priority mail box instead of overnight because overnight is so expensive. If you use priority mail, get them to the post office before noon on either monday or tuesday so they get to the lab before the weekend, and send them to the Santa Paula address.
http://www.fglinc.com/documents/SamplingProcedures-AG/Grape_Leaf_and_Soil.pdf
https://www.fglinc.com/documents/FGLAgChain.pdf

https://www.fglinc.com/frmSamples.php?sample=%3Cb%3EComprehensive+Petiole+Group%3A%3C%2Fb%3E+Nitrate-Nitrogen%2C+Phosphate-phosphorus%2C+Potassium%2C+Calcium%2C+Magnesium%2C+Zinc%2C+Manganese%2C+Iron%2C+Copper%2C+Boron%2C+Sodium&division=Ag&sub_division=Comprehensive+Petiole+Group&ID=164

On April 7, 2019, LWGA held another very interesting and fun event at the Lafayette Library.  This event was part of our continuing series of meetings as outlined on the LWGA calendar for the LWGA membership.  

For this meeting, Members were asked to contribute wines of their making for a peer tasting.  We had over 30 entries!  Below are the final winners by category:        

Other Reds;  Three way tie!: 

Pinot Noir;    Non AVA   Winner  Meadowview   Russian River    2015
                      AVA    Winner  Cheery  Lamorinda        2016                              AVA    Winner  Ward     Lafayette        2014

Red Wines;  Cab & Friends;  

Cab               AVA    Winner    Deer Hill      Lafayette            2016
Syrah;            AVA    Winner    Coletta          Orinda                2014
Super T;        AVA    Winner    Meadow View  Moraga            2016

White Wines;                         

Chardonnay Non AVA   Winner Ancient Lakes  Clear Lake    2014
Chardonnay  AVA    Winner Meadowview     Moraga      2017

Other Whites;                     

 Viognier;        Non AVA   Winner   Ancient Lakes    Clear Lake       2014

There were very nice appetizers brought by the members and the wine tasting was a lot of fun and delicious!  The consensus of those present was there was not a single bad entry, so the competition was very close indeed.  This is a wonderful outcome and shows that the Lamorinda AVA wines are of high quality and can only improve!  Our educational sessions with the LWGA meetings hope to aid everyone improve their wine growing and wine making efforts!

Thank you to all who contributed wines for this event!!
At our July 27  meeting,  the winners of the White Wine category will have the pleasure of telling us how they sourced their grapes and how they made their wines so we can all have a shot of winning at our next wine tasting event .  We will also be able to compare the AVA with non AVA. 
The red wine winners will present at our September 29 meeting.   

We, on the board, are very pleased to be able to provide these sessions and are very happy to see the level of interest in these topics!  

We look forward to seeing everyone for our June 2, 2019 AVA celebration!  There will be a special timely, informative viticulture session,  about irrigation and canopy management.

Hello Fellow LWGA members,

We are very excited and pleased to inform you about our upcoming April 7, 2019 meeting for the LWGA membership.   We are following up on our annual survey and resulting schedule to provide you with useful  information and discussions about wine growing and wine making. Our last meeting on January 27th, 2019 LWGA held its annual general meeting at the Hacienda De las Flores in the fire side room and adjacent meeting room.  This was a very successful and informative panel meeting discussing viticulture practices and suggestions by a panel of experienced wine growers, managers and owners. Please refer to the link below for a recap if you were not there:  https://lamorindawinegrowers.com/lwgas-january-27th-general-meeting-recap/

On April 7, 2019, we will be holding our next  meeting at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center beginning @ 3 PM – 6 PM,  where we will be asking you to participate by delivering a bottle of you AVA or non AVA wine that you have produced for a blind informal tasting by your peers.   Drop off locations for your one bottle per category of your entry wine will be at: (you can enter as many as you like)

Daniel Howsepian’s home;    3345 Hermosa Way; Lafayette

Bill Scanlin’s home;    6 Lois Lane, Lafayette

Bill English’s home;    81 Meadow View Road, Orinda

You will find a cooler at the front door labeled “LWGA”  to deposit your entries. Make sure you have your name; wine varietal  and source location and year attached. No $ 5.00 per entry fee requested this year.  We will take good care of your wine until the event.

or, if you must, but discouraged, since it takes time to organize,  you can bring your entries early to the venue on April 7th.

We will be handing out voting forms and collected that day, which will be asking for your favorite choice, second and third choice to be tallied and announced at the end of the meeting.

Winners will be asked in future meetings to address the LWGA membership about your wines, methods and procedures about your grape growing and wine making practices that made you a winner.  Should be very informative for the rest of us.

Please review the attached 2019 schedule of events  so that you will not miss out on information that you might be interested in.

Look forward to your participation and seeing all of you again on April 7!

Please bring an appetizer to share.

Link to LWGA 2019 Meetings

LWGA Board

The Board would like to remind members to submit their total crop harvest of 2018.

The total number of pounds from Lamorinda AVA grapes will be counted in the annual contra costa crop report.

This would be the first year that Lamorinda AVA grapes will be added to the county total.

So, we urge you to send your total harvest amount by March 10^th to be added to the crop report… send it to:  susan@captainvineyards.com

LWGA Board

One of our members David Hicks is hosting a Lake County weekend wine tasting event in July.

This is being sent out as a courtesy to our membership and the Lamorinda Wine Growers Association is not sponsoring or responsible for the event.

Please contact David Hicks directly if you are interested or have any questions.  His contact information is included in the flyer link below:

Link to Event Flyer:  David Hicks – AN INVITATION TO WINEMAKERS AND GUESTS

LWGA Board

• The discussion followed the handout which addresses what happens in the vineyard over the course of the year.  Specifically, what gets done, who typically does it when you have a vineyard manager and who is involved in the decision making.
• The goal was to facilitate the kind of collaboration between the grower, the vineyard manager and the winemaker that is conducive to a successful crop in terms of yield and quality.

Below are the candidate statements for the six candidates currently running for election to the Lamorinda Wine Growers Association Board of Directors.

The electronic ballot will be emailed to all voting members shortly after the General Membership meeting on January 27th.

If you are interested in becoming a board member, please contact Carol Haag (carolhaag7@gmail.com) as soon as possible.

Bill English                                   

My name is Bill English.  While I do not grow grapes, I have been an advocate for Lamorinda winegrowing and pretty much specialize in Lamorinda with my winemaking. I have sought to promote better wine growing and better wine making in the AVA.  Many of you attended one of the winemaking classes I offered to the membership in past years. I served on the AVA committee headed by Dave Rey and a term on the board. 

LWGA’s stated mission is to provide on-going education and support for its members in the areas of vineyard maintenance and management, and winemaking; foster communication and the exchange of information among its members; encourage sustainable practices, resulting in the production of high quality grapes and wine in an environmentally-friendly and socially responsible fashion; promote the Lamorinda community and its status as a winegrowing region, enhancing the marketability of Lamorinda-grown grapes and Lamorinda-made wine; and cultivate a strong relationship with the local community.

I think we have done a pretty good job of some of his, however we have found that defining and implementing the part about providing on-going education and support for its members in the areas of vineyard maintenance and management, and winemaking has been more difficult than meets the eye.  I learned this first hand in my previous term on the board. After more thought and discussions with current board members and prospective board member David Hicks, I would like to take another shot at it.  We need to recognize the heterogeneous nature of the group and the need to provide more in-depth support to those with interest in learning winegrowing best practices and winemaking practices without forcing technical details on those who don’t have the need or interest.  To support this we suggest forming Special Interest Groups for winegrowing and winemaking to take these technical discussions offline from the main meetings while supporting members who want a deeper dive in those areas. We hope that this will not only support current members but attract new members and stimulate past members to rejoin who have interest in these areas.

Hopefully in the process we will enhance the experience of our members and the quality of Lamorinda grapes and wine. 

I would like the opportunity to help develop a path forward in these areas by re-joining the board. I request your support.

David Hicks                                                       

Wine education, grape growing and winemaking history;

Resident of Lafayette since 1978. Lived in Happy Valley till 2000, still live in downtown Lafayette.

Have a vineyard and winery on my property in Lake County where I also have home and where I’ve been making wines since 2007.

From 2003 to 2006 took every viticulture, winemaking and wine sensory course offered at Davis. 

Planted my vineyard myself on my property in Lake County in 2004.  Harvested and made first vintage in 2007. 

Starting in 2010 began acquiring grapes from other Lake County growers. Have made 8 red varieties, 3 white varieties, Port, late harvest Sauturn, and Brandy.  Have also made wonderful Chard from Moraga grapes from Jon Leutneker’s vineyard.  I do all the vineyard tending and winemaking myself. Seek help from the Davis extension as needed to stay on top of issues and developments in the industry.  Entered many wine comps, wining several Best of Show, numerous gold, and other awards. 

How I might contribute to the Lamorinda AVA membership as a board member? 

The AVA is passing into a new faze as a result of the founding members achieving the goal of getting the AVA established.  A big task for which I’m sure all members are most appreciative.  For the AVA to continue to prosper and grow, ideas need to be contributed and listened to from all who wish to put them forth.  As a quasi outsider to the AVA I still have a lot to learn about where things are now and how the members and leadership sees things moving forward. 

On a one to one basis I am willing to consult [for wine and food only] on winemaking to members that are growing their own grapes and making their own wine.  Additionally I feel it’s important for all board members to consult among themselves and concurrently and consistently seek input from the general members regarding what the direction of the AVA should be. Leslie took a survey a while back on many of these issues and I will need to become familiar with those results.  

Moving any organization from start up to steady state is no easy task. I have had experience doing this type of thing in my career in the Software Engineering Consulting business.  There seems to be a lot to do regarding the future of the AVA and I’m willing to contribute to that process.

Thank you,

Daniel Howsepian                        

Raisin d’être Vineyard; (Est. 2012)  350 vines total;  275 Vines of Cabernet Sauvignon and 75 Vines of Merlot

3345 Hermosa Way

Lafayette, CA 94549

925-858-7000

DOB;  02/28/52; Paris, France

Brooklyn Technical H/S: Electrical Engineering

Pratt Institute; Electrical Engineering

City College of NYC @ Queens; BA in Economics; 

RE Finance Accoc @ So Lake Tahoe CC

Resident of Orinda since 1985 – 2011;

Resident of Lafayette since 2011;

Married with three children;

My wife, Annemieke,  works at the Dutch Consulate in SF and owns a Jazzercise franchise in Pleasant Hill; 

All kids went to:  Del Rey; OIS; Miramonte H/S;

dh Structures Inc; General Building Contractor/Developer in Lamorinda & East Bay; Currently Retired with new career as wine grower/maker

Served as Secretary; then Treasurer,  then President of the Orinda Park Pool; 1988-1994.;

Working as NSP (National Ski Patrol) Ski Patroller @ Squaw Valley since 1998 ;

Certified First Responder and an Outdoor Emergency Technician;

Secretary of the Squaw NSP for two years;

Squaw Valley Ski Patrol Testing & Training Coordinator for two years;

Squaw Valley Ski Patrol Patrol Leader & Chair of Board of Directors for six years; 

Received National Appointment by NSP in 2011;

Currently on Board of Directors of the Squaw Valley NSP; 

Currently on LWGA Board for the last two years

We moved from Orinda to Lafayette in 2011, downsizing once our kids were on their own.  Found a great house renovation project in Lafayette with vineyard potential which I had in mind for many years.

Joined the LWGA in 2012 and have been very happy & proud to be a founding member of the Lamorinda AVA.  

It has been a pleasure to be on the board for the last two years!  Together, we have been able to; 

–  Fend off an attempt by the Moraga planners to dramatically impact our ability to grow grapes in Moraga; 

–  Reduced our overall spending budgets by reducing our insurance expenses;

–  Created an outline for the development and access of  grape growing, winemaking, resource and educational opportunities for the membership to use and enjoy;

–  Enthusiastically supporting the LWGA  AVA brand through promotions; exposure; activities to educate, taste  and to guide our members to elevate their wine growing and wine making outcomes to earn a high level of success and recognition in the region; 

–  Providing a warm social interaction between all members of the organization, by providing a regular schedule of informative and social activities throughout the year. 

–  And many other achievements as well. 

I am enthusiastic about our vineyard, enjoy the wine making  and socializing with the LWGA and all that it brings to our lives. I am interested in continuing my participation  with LWGA  Board and would like to see it grow in the future to level it deserves. 

Hope to have your continued support!

Thank you. 

Larry Thal                                             

I am currently serving as LWGA Secretary.  I have considerable board experience and look forward to continuing to serve the Lamorinda Winegrowers’ Association and its members, if elected to do so.

My wife, Esther, and I planted approximately 2,300 vines in 2010 and had our sixth harvest this past year. Our varietals consist of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.  Thal Vineyards, LLC is bonded with an O-2 license. 

I am retired, having done so for the third time (United States Air Force, private practice of optometry and Clinical Professor and Assistant Dean University of California).  Some of my other board experience includes serving as President of the California State Board of Optometry on five occasions and serving two years as President of the California Optometric Association.  I recently completed two terms on the board of an independent private school in the East Bay, and for over 20 years I have served as president of two homeowners’ associations.

Leslie Ward                                                       

Education: B.S. Landscape Architecture & Environmental Design, California Polytechnic, SLO, CA. LEED Accredited Professional since 2004.  Over 25 years of educating communities, construction building trades, and design teams on the benefits and savings of green/sustainable design and building practices. 

Relationship to LWGA: One of the founding members of the LWGA (2005). Past posts with LWGA include President of the Board (2014); Board Member (2013 – 2018); Board Member of the Orinda Chamber of Commerce (2016 – 2019) and Liaison for the LWGA.  Occasional Presenter to the local Rotary, Historical Society and Garden Clubs about the LWGA vineyards and history of winemaking and grape growing here; frequent donator of wine and wine tastings to local schools, hospitals and other charities and non-profits.   

Personal: Our Construction firm, Sausal Corporation builds schools, fire stations and public buildings throughout NO. CA; our Son Josh just took over last year as President.  Successful and thriving Los Arabis Vineyard Pinot Noir (1500 vines in Lafayette) planted in 1999 and commercially sold throughout Lamorinda. 

Tim Wedlake                                     

I have served as the Treasurer for LWGA since 2006, and would like to continue for another term.

During that time I have collected dues, maintained the books of account, handled the checking account, dealt with tax filings, and provided financial reports.

I am committed to the long-term success of LWGA, in particular in providing educational and interesting experiences for members, and in leveraging our AVA status for the good of the organization and the community.

Thank you for your consideration and vote.

Dear fellow growers and winemakers,

For those who attended, it was a pleasure to celebrate the season with you, for those who were not able to attend, we had a very celebratory evening with many members and quite a number of the community!! We had many local wines presented to the public plus, Music with Diamond Dave was fantastic and the food was great!!  Each received a LWGA glass to take home too!  what a deal….

Now that we are coming close to the end of the year two things we need to do:

1-  Please email susan@captainvineyards.com, the amount of grapes you harvested in 2018, we would like to add the total tonnage of  Lamorinda AVA grapes, to be included in the Contra Costa County crop report.

2-   Selecting the team that will Manage your vineyard in 2019.  We for sure, recommend that the vineyard management  team will be using best sustainable practices.  Using sustainable practices is part of LWGA’s mission.  We encourage you to talk with your vineyard managers and ask them to adhere, as best as possible, to these practices, it is good for us, our community, environment and we believe it is economically viable to do so.   Below is a team that you might want to reach out to for your 2019 vineyard management.  They manage around 14 vineyards in the Lamorinda Area.

Dylan Rahn

Coastal Viticultural Consultants
Vineyard Manager/Viticulturist
Mobile: (707)-337-9893
Email: Drahn@coastalvit.com

With that, we wish you a safe, enjoyable and jolly rest of the year and look forward to a more exciting and productive 2019

Our holiday party is right around the corner.. Thursday, December 6^th!

This will be a great night wherein our friends and the public will get to sample many of the first-rate wines from Lamorinda. Food and a commemorative LWGA wine glass will be provided as well. And for even more fun, Diamond Dave, a local legendary DJ and performer, will be spinning tunes and singing. If you have not yet seen Diamond Dave, you are in for a real treat as he is guaranteed to get you out dancing!

We really want this party to be a big success and encourage each of you not only to attend, but to invite your friends and family. This party will be a good opportunity for the public to learn more about LWGA, our local winegrowers and winemakers.

https://lamorindawinegrowers.com/event-calendar/#!event/register/2018/12/6/lamorinda-wine-growers-association-holiday-party

If the purchaser is a member, they can type in: LWGA   in the discount code field (after selecting the number of tickets) and they will get $5 off up to two tickets.

LWGA Holiday Party: Wine, Food, Festivities and Dancing

Thursday, December 6^th, 2018, 6pm to 10pm

Serbian Cultural Center

1700 School Street, Moraga, CA

LWGA Board