St. Helena – North Bay Business Journal - North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties

Wine executive MBA coming to Napa Valley

January 17th, 2012

ST. HELENA — Sonoma State University’s master of business administration degree program targeted at wine industry executives is coming to Napa Valley this spring under a partnership with a large local trade association announced today.
Amorim buys south Napa land for expansion

December 12th, 2011

In another expansion move by Portugal-based Amorim Group cork distributors in Napa Valley this year, Amorim Cork America purchased 3.36 acres of land between Devlin Road and Highway 29 just north of Napa Valley Gateway Business Park. Pedro Fernandes, general manager, declined to comment on plans for the property. Industry sources point to the property [...]
Trinchero Napa Valley: ‘A legacy to my grandparents’

December 5th, 2011

The Trinchero family has been producing wine in Napa Valley since acquiring Sutter Home Winery in 1947, but they waited until just the past several years to find the right home for their luxury brand, Trinchero Napa Valley.
World’s top young sommelier an SSU grad; technology initiative for Petaluma schools

October 24th, 2011

Ian Cauble becomes the world’s top young sommelier. … The National Science Foundation has awarded Sonoma State University’s School of Science and Technology with more than $1 million in grant funding. … McCormick & Company has donated $30,000 to the Culinary Institute of America, funding a scholarship that will be distributed to six Hispanic students in the coming semester. … The Petaluma Educational Foundation is looking for support from the business community for its new “Transforming Education in the Classroom”Initiative, an effort to act on the growing number of grant applicants who see technology as an asset in the classroom.
Scores of North Bay restaurants make Michelin ‘Bib Gourmand’ list

October 19th, 2011

NORTH BAY — Nearly two dozen North Bay restaurants have been named to the “Bib Gourmand” list of the forthcoming Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country, a ranking that indicates the Michelin inspectors’ favorites for good value.
CalPERS in talks to exit vineyard partnership

October 17th, 2011

Part of the multibillion restructuring of hard-hit real estate investments over the past few years by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) are potential changes to a joint venture with Premier Pacific Vineyards of Napa to acquire up to $200 million in West Coast vineyards. … Part of the $1 million-plus invested in production and distribution of the Napa Smith beer brand since it was acquired is a tasting room opened this month at the specially designed south Napa brewery-winery, located at 1 Executive Way. … St. Helena-based ETS Laboratories is now offering free same-day results on common analyses such as juice panels for San Joaquin County vintners. … As part of a mergers-and-acquisitions panel at the recent Wine Industry Financial Symposium in Napa, Jeff Menashe of Demeter Group observed four trends among active buyers of wine businesses and successful sellers.
Wineries pursue pouches for premium brands

September 19th, 2011

As Patrick Krutz, maker of a Sonoma County-based luxury-tier small-scale brand, looks for the best vessel to carry his new music industry-oriented second label into venues where such bands play, he’s considering a single-serving plastic pouch. Meanwhile in Napa Valley, people behind the edgy X Winery, Miracle One Wines and Clif Bar energy snacks have opted for a 1.5-liter spout-equipped bag without the box for new wine ventures.
People: Week of Sept. 19, 2011

September 19th, 2011

News about people on the move in among north San Francisco Bay Area businesses and organizations
Wine Country Group picks up three new offices in Sonoma County

August 29th, 2011

SANTA ROSA — Residential real estate brokerage Wine Country Group by Better Homes and Gardens is expanding its holdings in Sonoma County by merging with three Pacific Union International branches, two in Santa Rosa and one in Petaluma.
Adventist Health explores Palm Drive affiliation

June 17th, 2011

SEBASTOPOL and ST. HELENA — Palm Drive Hospital is in talks with the St. Helena Region of Adventist Health about possible affiliation as it seeks long-term financial stability after years of uncertainty. The 37-bed Sebastopol hospital, which just last year emerged from Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection, has identified the Roseville-based health group as a possible parent that could help chart a return to solvency and possibly increased services, according to Palm Drive Healthcare District board officials.
From political science to sommelier in 30 weeks

May 9th, 2011

ST. HELENA — At the end of 30 weeks, students in the Accelerated Wine and Beverage Program at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone, have passed two levels of sommelier testing, tasted up to 22 wines a day and are ready to be employed anywhere from fine or casual dining to work in retail, wholesale distribution, wineries, as an instructor, consultant or journalist.
Ascentia sells Gary Farrell brand to Vincraft, Buena Vista to Boisset

April 28th, 2011

GEYSERVILLE — Ascentia Wine Estates, which formed in June 2008 with the acquisition of eight Sonoma County and Pacific Northwest wine brands, today announced it sold two Sonoma County brands, with Gary Farrell Winery in Russian River Valley going to The Vincraft Group of Sonoma and the recently relocated Buena Vista Carneros brand going to St. Helena-based Boisset Family Estates.
The people side to the succession

April 18th, 2011

NORTH BAY — Transferring a family business from one generation to the next is more than legal paperwork, accounting issues and a question of management. It is family and it can get messy.
French lab invests in St. Helena wine-testing startup

April 4th, 2011

ST. HELENA — Societe d’Application de Recherche de Conseil en Oenologie (SARCO), an analytical laboratory based in the Bordeaux winegrowing region of France, today said it made a minority investment in Napa Valley Think Tank, allowing the 7-month-old company to bring a new line of wine-quality testing services to market more quickly.
Bank of Marin consolidates Napa offices; St. Helena to close

April 4th, 2011

NAPA – Bank of Marin is consolidating its Napa Valley offices, closing the St. Helena branch April 29.
Smart phone QR codes enter the tasting room

April 4th, 2011

GLEN ELLEN – QR codes, those scanable squares that pack information for inventory systems, are reaping a harvest of winery customer feedback with a new application from a Glen Ellen startup.
Business news: Week of March 14, 2011

March 14th, 2011

Brief news items from North Bay businesses.
Napa Valley wine auction harvests record $2.4 million

February 28th, 2011

ST. HELENA — The Napa Valley Vintners’ annual wine futures auction to the trade held Feb. 26 in the Napa Valley, broke records finishing at nearly $2.4 million in sales. Last year’s PNV auction brought nearly 30 percent more than 2009’s take, and this year closed at 6 percent more than 2008’s record-setting $2.2 million.
The Wine Country Group merges with Better Homes and Gardens

February 17th, 2011

SONOMA and NAPA COUNTIES — Bay Area real estate industry veterans Ed Krafchow, Earl Shuttleworth and Gerrett Snedaker announced today the formation of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wine Country Group Realtors with nine offices and over 180 agents concentrated in northern California’s Wine Country.
Napa Valley Vintners names 2011 president

January 3rd, 2011

ST. HELENA — The Napa Valley Vintners board of directors elected Kathleen Heitz Myers of Heitz Wine Cellars as president of the 400-winery trade group for 2011.