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The News in Brief

Napa winery deal off

CALISTOGA – The Barrett family that owns Chateau Montelena Winery terminated an agreement to sell the 127-year-old vintner to French hospitality mogul Michel Reybier.

On July 22, the Barrett family announced it entered an agreement to sell the facility to Reybier Investments, which owns Chateau Cos d’Estournel in the Bordeaux winegrowing region of France. The sale was expected to close in October. The price considered reportedly was $110 million.

Chateau Montelena Managing General Partner Jim Barrett said the family, which has owned the winery since 1972, terminated the agreement because Reybier was not able to meet its obligations.

ATS acquires iPrint

SANTA ROSA – American TonerServ, a consolidator in the printer supplies and services industry, acquired all of the assets of iPrint Technologies, which has operations in Chatsworth and Larkspur.

IPrint is a retail business providing printing supplies and service to Fortune 1000 and middle-market companies. It generated approximately $12.5 million in revenue in the 12 months ending Aug. 31, 2008, according to unaudited financial statements. ATS projects achieving a $25 million annual revenue runrate by year end. The iPrint management staff has joined ATS.

Sonic Solutions cuts staff

NOVATO – Sonic Solutions (Nasdaq: SNIC), maker of software for manipulating and storing digital media as well as creating high-end Hollywood effects, said it would reduce its employees and contractors by 100 positions and consolidate two business units to save $14 million a year and increase profitability.

Medtronic injunction lifted

SANTA ROSA – Medtronic Cardiovascular in Santa Rosa will be able to use Abbott Labs’ rapid-delivery system. An injunction against using it, in place since 2000, was lifted.

About three-quarters of U.S. interventional cardiologists prefer the rapid-exchange delivery system.

Plumbers named green

SANTA ROSA and SAN RAFAEL – Sacramento-based GreenPlumbersUSA, created by Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia, has listed LeDuc & Dexter Inc. of Santa Rosa and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Rafael as licensed.

Tom LeDuc, president and CEO of LeDuc & Dexter, said the company plans to train and certify estimators, project managers and plumbers as well as all of its Super Service Plumbing division. Directions in which he wants the training to flow are radiant heating and cooling for homes and businesses as well as washing and sterilization systems for wineries.