JOAO MAGALHAES, VILLA CALACOLA: Joao planted his vineyard in 2004.  The Magalhaes’ have 500 vines of Pinot Noir, Syrah & Merlot.  In early 2005 he became one of the Founding Father’s of what is today our LWGA.  He and Dave Parker (Parkmon) developed the vision, mission and goals for the Association and developed the first generation of By-Laws.  Joao’s work with the Moraga Town Council has led to much improved relations and lighter controls on Grape Growers and Wine Makers in Moraga.  He is also involved in the preliminary planning for the new Hacienda renovation and expansion.

The Napa Valley Grapegrowers is thrilled to announce the 2015 ROOTSTOCK, a revolutionary symposium and exhibition designed for top-quality grapegrowers, vineyard and winery owners, and winemakers worldwide. Timed just as the 2015 harvest finishes and the industry begins to look towards the future, ROOTSTOCK provides access to high-level, provocative seminars and industry experts, wine trials and tastings, networking opportunities, and an exclusive exhibition featuring over 120 of the industry’s highest quality viticulture and enology companies.

As a regional trade association, we are pleased to share with your members complimentary ROOTSTOCK Exhibition-Only tickets and a 10% discount to attend the full day seminar program to be held November 12 from 8am to 3:30pm at the Napa Exposition Fairgrounds. To register online, visit the link below and use discount code: LWA. Please share this discount information with members of Lamorinda Winegrowers Association.

https://napagrowers.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/Home/IndustryAssociationsSponsors/tabid/717682/Default.aspx

We appreciate your help in promoting ROOTSTOCK as well. Below is a promotional postcard that you can use to share information about the event on your website, newsletters, and social media outlets.

For more information about this important industry event, please visit www.rootstocknapa.com or contact the NVG office at info@napagrowers.org or 707-944-8311.

We look forward to seeing you on November 12!

Thanks to Daniel Howsepian for being the first to provide history on his vineyard and family.  I would like to see these from all members, so we can document our efforts as a group to turn Lamorinda into a (small but thriving) appellation.  Once again, any family or property history or grape growing.  Why you decided to jump in to this, and a picture or two.  Thanks!

Couloir Vineyards; Lafayette, CA;   Established 2011

Having spent the better part of my youth with my family in France during the summer months of July & August, I was fortunate enough to be able to visit and stay in many parts of France where my family lived.  One of my favorite memories there were the times spent with my Aunt, Renee and her husband Jojo, who worked in a local winery in Nuit St. George as the cellar master.  Jojo would take me through the ancient Roman caves, once used to store military goods in case of attacks, now converted to wine cellars. These were long, rambling arched roofed, earthen, moss lined caves, full of wine barrels, bottles, aromas,  and interesting wine making apparatus.   He would show me around, and we would occasionally stop here and there to sample wines that were very fine indeed!  Once, he stopped to plunge his hand into what looked like a moss covered wall, and withdrew a concealed bottle of their wine, which we thoroughly enjoyed that evening.

Renee & Jojo’s sons would each work a small parch of land near their homes and were always eager to share their own wines with their American cousin.  This would be the inspiration that I carried all my life to someday have a small vineyard of my own, and enjoy the bounty of our hard work.

And so when I found the home we purchased years ago, I saw the potential for a vineyard and pursued the realization of my dream!  Thus Couloir Vineyards was born.  Couloir, in French means canyon, where the vineyard is located, and is also a winter mountain gully for steep powder skiing for advanced skiers like me.

Our vineyard is currently three years old, and we expect to have our first true harvest in 2016.  We have 260 vines of Cabernet Sauvignon and 75 vines of Merlot, which we hope to blend with the Cabernet Sauvignon.  The vines are progressing with lots of promise and we should have our first drinkable wine as early as 2018.  I am also very lucky to have my son, Julien, as a graduate of UC Davis, in the Viticulture and Enology department and is currently working  at Kosta Browne in Sebastopol as their Cellar Master.  He has been very supportive of our efforts and has been a great family project. We will be processing our own wines in our wine cellar with great love and care.

It is with great pleasure to be a part of the Lamorinda Appellation, creating our own Terrior,  which we can all be proud!

We look forward to many enjoyable times with our friends and family with the bounties of Couloir Vineyard!

Daniel & Annemieke Howsepian