June 2025 Newsletter
In This Issue…
REMINDER: 2025 Grower Conversation Event, June 25
LCWC Seats New Board Members
Grower Spotlight: El Retono Vineyards
Remembering Lake County Winegrower David Tuttle
LCWC Awards Scholarships
Kelseyville Elementary College & Career Week
News from UCCE: Olive & Grape Field Day, July 30
Grape & Wine Marketplace
Weather & Climate Report
Affiliate Sponsor: PG&E
REMINDER: 2025 Grower Conversation Series
Grower Conversation #2
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: The Mercantile, 4350 Thomas Drive, Kelseyville
Speakers:
- Glenn Proctor, Owner, Ciatti Company
- Paul Warnock, Associate Principal and Project Manager, RSA+ Civil Engineers
Wine and small bites will be provided.
No fee to attend, but please RSVP to events@lakecountywinegrape.org
Printable Flyer
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Grower Conversation on June 4 at Chacewater Winery. We especially appreciate our speakers – Christian Klier, Brad Rasmussen, Noah Cornell, and Carri Beaver – for sharing their valuable insights.
LCWC Seats New Board Members
At its May meeting, the Lake County Winegrape Commission seated three Board Members elected by eligible winegrape growers to serve the 2025-2027 term: new Board Member David Weiss of Weiss Vineyards, and incumbents Jon Holzapfel of Diamond D and Joy Merrilees of Castilleja Farms. Mayra Benitez was appointed as the public member.
The Board appointed the following officers for this year: Jon Holzapfel as Chair, Joy Merrilees as Vice-Chair, and Mayra Benitez as Secretary-Treasurer.
The other grower members serving on the eight-member Board include Clay Shannon of Shannon Ranches, Pilar Luchsinger White of Luchsinger Vineyards, Padraic Sherlock of Beckstoffer Vineyards – Red Hills, and Jonathan Walters of Brassfield Estate.
We thank each of them for their dedication to serving our industry.
Grower Spotlight: El Retono Vineyards
Photo credit: Karen Pavone
Walking the rows of Sauvignon Blanc vines on a cloudy spring afternoon at El Retono Vineyards, it’s easy to see why Rosa Segura chose to follow her heart’s calling in Lake County, California. Bud break was underway, and the vineyard was waking up from winter dormancy, splashed with vibrant yellow wild mustard in bloom. It’s a landscape she never tires of, even through the ups and downs of growing winegrapes.
Rosa grew up in Napa County wine country. She immigrated to Saint Helena at the age of nine, where her father supported their family as a farmworker.
Like many who find their way into the wine business, Rosa’s path was circuitous. After graduating high school, she worked in banking, then took her financial prowess to task as the tasting room manager at a large winery in Saint Helena.
“It was very challenging,” she remembers. “There was a lot of competition for the job, and people wondered why I got the position as a newbie with no wine knowledge. I think the owners liked my financial background more than my lack of experience,” she added.
Remembering Lake County Winegrower David Tuttle
Former Lake County winegrape grower David Tuttle passed away on June 2, 2025. An accomplished farmer and rancher, Dave began his career at the Butcher and Nelson Ranches in Ukiah before finding his calling at Valley Oaks Ranch in Hopland, where he built a respected winegrape and pear operation. In 1985, he joined Beringer Vineyards and helped establish the first vineyard in the Red Hills Lake County Appellation, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneer of the region’s winegrape industry.
Our hearts go out to the Tuttle family.
A celebration of life will take place on July 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Fritch Hall, Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin Street, Lakeport. Family and friends will serve a late lunch featuring Dave’s favorite foods and spirits. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in his name to a local high school FFA (Future Farmers of America) program.
Lake County Winegrape Commission Awards ‘Future of Ag’ Scholarships
The Lake County Winegrape Commission awarded its “Future of Agriculture” scholarships to Corey Cabrera of Upper Lake High School and Aleesa Beckstead of Lower Lake High School.
Scholarships were presented during each school’s Awards Night, with LCWC Board Member Mayra Benitez presenting at Upper Lake High School and Board Member Jonathan Walters presenting at Lower Lake High School.
Kelseyville Elementary College & Career Week
LCWC participated in Kelseyville Elementary School’s Vehicle Day on May 30, as part of the school’s College & Career Week festivities.
Special thanks to Bella Vista Farming and Holdenried Harvesting for providing equipment that gave students a hands-on look at careers in agriculture.
UCCE Olive and Grape Field Day, July 30
The UCCE Olive & Grape Field Day will take place on July 30, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Terra Savia/Olivino in Hopland. The agenda covers key topics in olive and grape growing, such as pest management, irrigation management, and weed control.
Marketplace
In the market for bulk wine? Visit the Marketplace page of the LCWC website for an up-to-date list of Lake County bulk wine, grapes, and vines available for sale.
Read up on how Lake County fruit enables wine brands to over-deliver on quality and value in this buyer guide. Please feel free to download and share the file.
Weather & Climate
View June Report from Dr. Gregory Jones.
Affiliate Sponsor: Pacific Gas & Electric
Summer Rates Are Here
Agricultural peak hours are 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. daily. Lower your bill by shifting energy use to non-peak hours. Learn more.
