Article published - Jul 23, 2007

BY Jeff Quackenbush
STAFF REPORTER

A bill by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, that would allow more than 1,000 California wine producers with only wholesaler-retailer licenses to donate wine to nonprofit organizations and pour wines at their fundraisers passed the state Senate on July 16 with a 36-0 vote.

Now Assembly Bill 323 is bound for reconciliation of amendments, such as a recent one to make the privilege available upon the governor's signature instead of Jan. 1.

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Craig and Kathryn Hall plan to break ground on their St. Helena winery July 27. The facility, the first building designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry in Northern California, is set for completion in 2009.

The Halls are undertaking a major overhaul of the former Golden State Vintners 2.8-million-case winery on South St. Helena Highway. The Halls bought the property in 2003.

The three-phase project includes demolition of the existing winery building, renovation of the 1885 Stony winery, a new winemaking building and a Gehry-designed hospitality center.

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North Coast vintners can be a flamboyant bunch, as evidenced by recently announced marketing efforts by Santa Rosa virtual vintner V-Twin Vineyards Wine Co. and Red Truck Wines, the brand started by the Clines and now carried forward by 585 Wine Partners in Sonoma.

Built around the bourgeoisie-biker theme, the V-Twin Zin brand rolled out early this month with 300 cases of 2004 zinfandel from Alexander and Dry Creek valleys of Sonoma County. The wine retails for $24 a bottle.

Meanwhile, Dan and Katy Leese and Doug and Becky Walker of 585 Wine Partners are getting artsy this summer with a promotion around the signature artwork for the Red Truck brand. They've selected six 20-somethings from a Craigslist posting for a cross-country road trip to record their experiences for a multimedia exhibition later.