May 2025 Newsletter
In This Issue…
REGISTER: In-the-Vineyard Tailgate: Canopy Management, May 28
REGISTER: 2025 Grower Conversation Series, June 4 & June 25
Momentum 2025 Recap
Grower Spotlight: Cat’s Paw Vineyard
Grape & Wine Marketplace
Weather & Climate Report
Affiliate Sponsor: Wine Industry Network
Affiliate Sponsor: PG&E
REGISTER NOW: In-the-Vineyard Tailgate: Canopy Management
Date: May 28, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Location: Thomas Mauritson Vineyard, 6153 Staheli Drive, Kelseyville
Speakers:
Chris Chen, Ph.D., Integrated Vineyard Systems Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension – North Coast
Chris will discuss practical strategies to maintain or improve vineyard quality without increasing costs. Topics include preventative practices to reduce pest and disease pressure, limiting unnecessary vineyard tasks, achieving vine balance to minimize input needs, and adopting efficient technologies—from modern trellis designs to better monitoring tools.
Sunni Ashley, President, Vineyard Industry Products
Sunni will highlight cross arms available from Vineyard Industry Products and how they can support canopy management.
No fee to attend, but please RSVP to events@lakecountywinegrape.org
Printable Flyer
REGISTER NOW: 2025 Grower Conversation Series
You’re invited to the Lake County Winegrowers 2025 Grower Conversation Series, an opportunity for buyers, growers, and industry professionals to engage in discussions about the evolving wine market. Each session will feature brief, informal presentations from guest speakers, followed by time for networking with peers in a relaxed setting.
Grower Conversation #1
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Chacewater Winery, 5625 Gaddy Lane, Kelseyville
Speakers:
- Christian Klier, North Coast Grape Broker, Turrentine Brokerage
- Carri Beaver, Customer Relationship Manager, Pacific Gas & Electric
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
Momentum 2025 Recap
Photo credit: Karen Pavone
Lake County wine professionals gathered on April 23 for Momentum 2025, an event focused on innovation, sustainability, and market readiness.
The event opened with a Lake County Pruning School Showcase, featuring insights on vine health and labor-efficient practices from Pilar Luchsinger White, Luchsinger Vineyards; Andres Mendez, Trinchero Family Estates; Padraic Sherlock, Beckstoffer Vineyards – Red Hills; and Vine Master Pruner Jett Johansson, Simonit & Sirch.
Keynote speaker David Glancy, Master Sommelier and founder of the San Francisco Wine School, presented Positioning Lake County Wine in a Crowded Market, offering 10 actionable strategies to help the region stand out to buyers and consumers.
Sunni Ashley, Vineyard Industry Products, addressed the challenges of rising costs and supply constraints, while Noah Cornell, Lake County Resource Conservation District, spoke on climate-smart vineyard management.
The event concluded with the Market-Driven Trends & Innovation panel and tasting, featuring Joy Merrilees, Shannon Family of Wines; Bruce Regalia, Wild Diamond Vineyards; and Scott Kirkpatrick, Dancing Crow Vineyards, who shared how Lake County producers are adapting to shifting market demands while staying true to their roots.
Grower Spotlight: Cat’s Paw Vineyard
Photo credit: Karen Pavone
When Buz and Terry Dereniuk were envisioning their future retirement chapter in 2004, growing winegrapes was the furthest thing from their minds.
At least that idea had not occurred to Terry — until the couple’s realtor asked what they were looking for in their dream property. To her surprise, Buz answered without hesitation, “I want 10 acres and a vineyard.”
She was stunned. “I will never forget that moment,” Terry said. “I looked at him and thought, ‘Oh WOW’ I had no idea.”
Having lived in Sonoma County for 11 years, Buz and Terry were both wrapping up careers in management at the Department of the Treasury. Buz had also flown Navy helicopters for 20 years, and worked as a bookkeeper and accountant for Landmark Vineyards in Sonoma.
“We started searching everywhere for an affordable place to retire and buy property,” Terry recalls, “and that brought us over the hill to Lake County.”
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 May Report from Dr. Gregory Jones.
Affiliate Sponsor: Wine Industry Network
Wine Industry Network has launched an all-new Marketplace platform, offering a valuable opportunity for Lake County growers. As a special promotion, you can post bulk grape listings for free using promo code MARKETPLACE2025. This code unlocks either a single listing or a three-listing bundle, each active for 90 days at no cost.
In addition to bulk grapes, the Marketplace supports listings for:
- Bulk wine (vats, tanks, or barrels)
- Shiners (unlabeled bottled wine)
- Barrels
- Vineyard and winemaking equipment (new or used)
- Real estate
Affiliate Sponsor: Pacific Gas & Electric
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