newsletter for the sacramento home winemakers piazza-perham has stepped up to take on the vice...
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January General Meeting Program January 17 – Wednesday
Some sources say there are almost 10,000 wine grape varieties on this planet. Yet, many of us have tasted only a tiny fraction of these varieties (can you count past 25? – no blends!). Often, wine from some varieties is so limited that it may not leave its local area. Still, oth-ers may be waiting to be discovered. Wait no longer for discovery. Come to the January 17 SHW meeting and learn about Central and Eastern European wines that are seldom seen outside of its origins. The evening’s guest speaker is Eric Danch who is with Blue Danube Wine, importers of Central and Eastern European wine. Let Eric open up your world with wines from Hungary, Slovenia, Georgia, and Northern Dalmatia, Croatia. As we taste, Eric will share geography, variety, wine making techniques, and the wine uniqueness in of this part of the European continent. The meeting starts at 7 PM upstairs at the Turn Verein meeting hall located at 3349 J Street in midtown Sac-ramento. The building’s back parking lot can be ac-cessed by driving around the block; entry into the building is through the front doors. Bring 2 wine glasses for your use; Club glasses are for guests only. Bring a writing instrument for note taking (you might request these wines at your favorite
restaurant or wine shop). Doors open after 6:30 PM – bring a bottle of wine to share if you’d like. Your help in setting up and cleaning up before and after the meeting is appreciated.
Please consume responsibly. Contact a board member if you feel you are beyond your limit and they’ll find a way to get you home safely.
January Highlights
Newsletter for the Sacramento Home Winemakers
January 2018
Presidents Message
Page 2
2018 Member-ship Info
Page 3 & 7
Thank You!
Page 8
Competition Corner
Page 6
Calendar of Events
Page 9
Calendar of Page 5
Inside This Issue
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SHW Monthly meet-ings are held on the
third Wednesday of the month starting at 7pm,
upstairs at the Turn Verein Hall located at 3349 J Street in Mid-
town, Sacramento. For more information on SHW membership,
meetings and activities, visit:
www.Sachomewine.com
Join us on Facebook!!!
Information
Back
Greetings Sacramento Home Wine-
maker Members and Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of this exciting
and vibrant Club.
As I start my second “episode”, if we
can call it that, of having the honor to be
your club President for 2018, I realize
how this Club is so strong and supportive. While considering
accepting the nomination, I reflected on the positive comments
and support from many of you and I’m sure they influenced my
decision to run for President again. The most important factor
in my support system however is my wife, Lynne. I couldn’t do
this without her backing and filling in on the home front to take
care of the household while I email, write articles, text and do
club business. Thank you, Lynne; you are a classy First Lady!
There are a number of new faces on the Executive Board this
year, which is absolutely awesome to see. The “At Large”
members; Paul Baldwin, Tom Ramme, Krista Ring, Jerry Roark
and Robert Wharton have already seen action in the annual
planning stage. Teri Piazza-Perham has stepped up to take on
the Vice President role and Bob Peake will be this years Treas-
urer. There are still volunteer opportunities available and one
key role we need some help from the membership is in role of
Equipment Stewards; someone to coordinate the checking out/
in of equipment like the crusher/destemmer and the press.
These aren’t difficult tasks but they do require some effort to
make sure the equipment is returned clean and made available
during the harvest season. Please give this some consideration
and if you have some ideas on how best to manage the club’s
equipment, we’d like to hear from you.
And speaking of volunteers, I’d like to relate an experience I had with SHW Club members recently. Several months ago, a member of the community contacted one of our Business Part-ners, Brewmeister, in Roseville, to inquire about some help in bottling her husband’s wine. This person, Judy, had lost her husband over the summer and his most recent vintage was still in carboys and ready to bottle. From what I gather, Judy was a spectator to her husband Joe’s wine making efforts, helping where and when she could, but mostly it was her husband’s hobby. Brewmeister reached out to SHW, somehow getting the information to Fred Millar. Fred took the time to stop by Judy’s home for more detail on howmuch winethere was, what kind of space there was, etc. Once Fred obtained the necessary information, he reached out to the Club membership and solic-ited for volunteers. On November 29th, Teri Piazza-Perham, Don Jones, Don Vinson and John Lymath completed the bot-tling of five carboys of Joe and Judy’s homemade wine. The volunteers showed up at Judy’s home around 4pm and quickly got down to business. When I showed up at 5:30, all that was
Message from the PresidentMessage from the PresidentMessage from the PresidentMessage from the President
left was the cleanup, and even that had mostly been com-plete. I’m not sure how many cases were bottled; five car-boys typically turn out about 10 cases, but to have the task completed swiftly and efficiently by these experienced winemakers and “Volunteer Extraordinaires” was ex-tremely satisfying to be a part of and demonstrated the powerful impact that SHW has on our community. When you hear Club members ask for volunteers, typically
we think of opportunities within the Club, (did I mention
that we need some EQUIPMENT STEWARDS!) but the
reality is, SHW has matured over the years, demonstrated
by some of the things we never used to do like the schol-
arship program, pouring our wines at the Robert Mondavi
Institute TASTE event, winemaking classes held for other
organizations, set up the State Fair judging competition,
staff the State Fair booth, and help out in our community
for people who have a need. We all should be proud of
the direction SHW is going. After the bottling party at
Judy’s; John, Teri and the two Don’s left, leaving me with
a few minutes to talk with Judy. Her husband had been
making wine for years, wasn’t ever part of SHW, were
connected to Turn Verien by her husband’s German heri-
tage, and led interesting lives. Judy donated her husband’s
equipment to SHW and was extremely appreciative to
have the task of bottling complete. My thanks to Fred,
Teri, John, Don Jones and Don Vinson for your unselfish,
volunteer oriented attitudes. You are fine examples of
how powerful SHW is and you’ve helped bring some joy
to a member of our community.
In closing, I’d like to thank all of those that volunteer their
time and efforts to SHW. When you stop and think of all
the helpers, the list is quite long. That doesn’t mean that
the Club doesn’t need your talents if you’re not involved.
Think about what you can do, maybe look ahead to next
year and seek out a Board position or chair a program
committee.
Please Enjoy Responsibly
Far better than any Gold Medal, the best reward for making a
great wine is simply enjoying and sharing a bottle with friends
and fellow wine makers. SHW wants to remind you to please do
so responsibly and be aware of your capacity to drive and get
home safely. Our number one priority is making sure all SHW
members make it home from club meetings and events without
in- jury to themselves or others. If you find yourself or a friend a
glass or two beyond being able to do so, please notify a club
officer immediately so we can assist in arranging safe transporta-
tion home.
Page 2
SHW Announces 2017SHW Announces 2017SHW Announces 2017SHW Announces 2017
WinemakerWinemakerWinemakerWinemaker
of the Year Resultsof the Year Resultsof the Year Resultsof the Year Results
As always, the 2018 Winemaker of the Year competition was fierce.
What is this award? This award was created to encourage excellence in winemaking among club members. The best measure of excellence is the opinion of qualified judges in a structured, competitive environment. The winemaker must enter two dis-tinct and different wines in the California State Fair, the Jubilee, and one other recognized competition of their choice. Points are awarded for results, and the average of these scores is totaled for a final score. Results are compiled by the Chief Judge and verified by the President (Joe McGilivray in this case). (Just for reference, a score of 120 would mean that the winemaker averaged at least gold in all three competitions. In 2010, the Winemaker of the Year earned a total score of 104.16.)
The winner of this year’s Winemaker of the Year was awarded to:
Donna Bettencourt
With a total score of 146.6 (an all time high score for this award), Donna earned Best of Red, and Best of Show at the Jubilee with her 2014 Portughese blend, gold at the California State Fair, and Best of Red, and Best of Show at the Amador County
Fair with her 2014 Dolcetto. Not included, but of note, is her Double Gold and Best of White showing at the El Dorado County Fair with her 2016 Sauvignon Blanc. Congratulations to Donna!
2nd Place is awarded to Kathleen Swanson and Michael MacWilliams with a whopping total score of 126.67. Remember that
this winemaking couple is coming off of winning a Golden Bear for Best White Wine at the 2016 California State Fair for their 2015 Chardonnay. They earned Double Gold at the Jubilee, Double Gold at the Orange County Fair, and two Double Golds
and Best of Class at the California State Fair. Congratulations to Kathleen and Michael!
3rd Place is awarded to members Don and Gayle Koehler with a score of 120. Earning golds at the California State Fair, Dou-
ble Golds at the Jubilee, and Double Gold and Best of Class at the Amador County Fair, this pair continues their winning ways. Congratulations to Don and Gayle!
4th Place is awarded to Bruce Currie with a final score of 103.4. Coming off a strong competition season last year, this wine-maker struck Gold at each of his entered competitions. Bruce continues to consistently produce excellent red wines. Con-
gratulations to Bruce!
2018 SHW Membership – Accepting Applications SHW is currently accepting applications for the incoming year’s membership. This annual membership is valid from January 2018 – December 2018. Annual dues are $50 per household. Membership comes with many perks. More details can be found at SHW’s website at www.sachomewine.com. Click on Membership on the right side of the page.
The 2018 membership form can also be found in this issue of The Grapevine. Please direct your membership questions to the Membership Chairs: Fred Millar - text/call 916 576-9596; email [email protected]
Gin Yang – text/call 916 217-0294; email [email protected]
Page 3
2017 SHW Annual Award Recipients At the Club’s Holiday Dinner, SHW annual awards are given to recognize those parties who continue to try harder and reach further so that we can be the best winemakers possible. SHW is an active club and it relies on many members to volunteer. One time or all year, you don’t go unnoticed and this is a big shot out: THANK YOU! SHW can’t be what it is without you. The Hal Ellis Memorial Award recognizes a member for their service above and beyond the crush. This year’s award went to Robert and Darcy Wharton for the many days, particularly weekends, they devoted to numerous SHW activities. The Bob Beck Memorial Award is given to an individual who helps winemakers make good wine by furthering wine education and providing guidance. Gin Yang was presented the 2017 award for several efforts promoting wine education and keeping wine makers pointed in the right direction. Bob’s widow Jo and daughter Susan helped present this award at the dinner. Awarded the 2017 Most Improved Winemaker of the Year honor, Al Piccardo joined SHW in 2015 when his wines were earning silver and bronze awards. By the time 2016 rolled around, Al won a Gold award at the California State Fair for his Zinfandel and in 2017, the State Fair awarded Al a Double-Gold and Best of Class award for his 2016 Sangiovese. It takes a village to make good wine. Three partners were honored with SHW’s 2017 Commu-nity Partner award: • Matt DiVisconte with Lodi Wine Labs continues to educate home winemakers, encouraged
us to get our must and wines tested by offering special pricing, and continues to share the latest and greatest in wine making developments;
• Brewmeister, with stores strategically located throughout the greater Sacramento area, of-
fers home winemakers the supplies and resources needed to get through the harvest. Rec-ognizing the value of SHW’s Winemaking 101 workshop, Brewmeister refers potential winemakers to SHW’s basic training.
• The California State Fair understands the impact home wine makers have in the state’s wine
and grape industry. The Fair continues to support the home winemaking competition which draws entries from throughout the state and showcases home winemaking with a home wine making booth.
Congratulations to all recipients!
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2018 Executive Board Congratulations to the 2018 Executive Board! The annual election was held at the November 15, 2017 meeting. President – Joe McGillivray Vice President – Terry Piazza-Perham Treasurer – Bob Peake Secretary - Bruce Currie Membership Chairs – Fred Millar & Gin Yang Members at Large - Paul Baldwin, Tom Ramme, Christa Ring, Jerry Roark, Robert Wharton
Unified Wine and Grape Symposium, January 23-25, 2018–Trade Show Passes
Sacramento Convention Centerwill again host the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium. This event is the largest wine and grape industry trade show in North America. In addition to the symposium’s multi-day sessions and events, the 2-day vendor exhibits, January 24-25, is a gigantic toy store for winemakers and growers, both commercial and amateur alike. Learn about the latest winemaking tools and gadgets, chemicals, and help. SHW is offering a limited number of “exhibit only” passes for $10 each (funds go to SHW). Value for the “exhibits only” passes are $35-70 (depending when one registers). The discount is forSHW members only, please. If you’d like to reserve passes (NO guarantee of availability), please email Gin Yang at [email protected] to be added to the list. You’ll be contacted as passes become avail-able. Big thanks to Blair Gould for making the numerous vendor contacts, and to Gin for coordi-nating. If you have a personal connection with any of the symposium’s exhibitors, please contact them on behalf of SHW.
Competition Corner Chief Judge Donna Bettencourt
The 2018 home winemaking competition season is beginning. For those who have never entered a recognized home wine competition, here are a few tips:
*Most competitions require only one bottle for entry. Be sure that that one bottle represents your wine truly; uncork it and taste a tiny bit and smell it. If it is good to go, recork it and send it on.
*Bring your wine prior to bottling to the mentoring table at monthly meetings. One of our mentors can taste the wine and evaluate it, even using a recognized scoring sheet. You may receive some finishing feedback, prior to bottling, that will help your wine compete bet-ter.
*Know why you are entering your wine. Is it to show it off and win awards, or to receive feedback, or both? Both are valid reasons.
Here are a few of the competitions coming up.
Bottle Shock Open
The 5th Annual Bottle Shock Open Home Winemaking Competition judging is scheduled for Thursday, March 8, 2018 in Lodi. Entries are being accepted beginning January 8, 2018 and the last date to drop off entries at drop off locations is February 9, 2018. The last day to accept entries at Woodbridge Winery, the official Cellar for the competition, is February 16, 2018. For entry information, go to www.bottleshockopen.com
California State Fair Home Wine Competition
Entries open on February 14, 2018 and close on March 14, 2018. Judging is being held in Sacramento on Saturday, April 7, 2018. For entry details, go to www.castatefair.org
WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition
Entries must be received by March 16, 2018. Entry forms and guidelines can be found at. www.winemakermag.com/com This year’s competition includes meads and hard ciders as well. One bottle entry, $25 per entry
El Dorado County Fair Home Wine Competition
Judging is on May 5th. Details pending.
Sacramento Home Winemakers Jubilee Competition
Our club-only competition is scheduled for Saturday, June 9th, with the annual awards and picnic to follow the next day, June 10th. Look for more details soon in The Grapevine
A Word from the Chief Judge
NO Plus Plus
In 2017 the voters of California legalized recreational marijuana. Regulations are in place to prohibit the mixing of any of the active components of marijuana with alcohol in commercially produced wines. There is no such prohibition in place for home winemaking. However, by signing our membership form, or otherwise becoming a member of SHW, you are prohibited from sharing wines with marijuana (or indeed any other ingredient that is not normally found in wine) at any SHW sponsored func-tion, and from entering such wines in our Jubilee Competition. Thank you for your compliance.
Page 6
Sacramento Home Winemakers (SHW) – 2018 Membership Form
Your Name(s) _________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________________
City & Zip _______________________________________ Phone Number (____) __________________
Email Address(es)______________________________________________________________________
(SHW communicates primarily through emails. If you also prefer the newsletter by USPS, check here: ___ )
□ Yes □ No Share my phone number, city and email addresses with SHW members. (Note: street addresses will not be shared.)
□ New Membership - $50 per household (January 2018 – December 2018). Join by March 1, 2018 to receive a one-year
subscription to WineMaker Magazine mailed to your address.
How did you learn about SHW?_____________________________________________________________
□ Renew Membership - $50 per household (January 2018 – December 2018). 2018 members who renew by March 1,
2018 will receive a one-year extension to their existing WineMaker magazine subscription. Subscription is not extended if
renewing after March 1, 2018.
□ Opt out of WineMaker magazine subscription (check box).
Program/meeting topics you’re interested in or why you joined SHW: ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
As a condition for membership, I/we agree:
1) to comply with SHW’s by-laws and rules; 2) to promptly pay or reimburse SHW for any fees or other expenses incurred,
e.g., bank returned checks; 3) if I or my guests consume alcoholic beverages at a SHW meeting or event, that we will do so
responsibly (SHW is not responsible for transportation but may assist in obtaining a ride as a courtesy);
4) if I or my guests bring wine or other alcoholic beverages to a SHW meeting or event, the item must contain only ingredients
commonly found in wines or other alcoholic beverages, and does not contain illegal substances, hallucinogens, psychoactives,
medicinal substances or herbs.
_________________________________________________________ ___________________________________
Signature of Person Applying for Club Membership Date Signed
Please make check payable to “Sacramento Home Winemakers” and mail with membership form to:
Bob Peake, SHW Treasurer | P O Box 691 | Folsom CA 95763
Membership questions? Contact Gin Yang at [email protected] | 916 217-0294
Tell us about you: □
□
I have been a SHW member since _____________ I’m
interested in learning to make wine.
□
□
I am making wine. Years making wine: ______
I belong to another home winemaking club. Which one?
Thanks for supporting SHW. Choose the 3 volunteer activities where you can best help: Leadership: □ President □ Vice President – Programs □ Treasurer □ Secretary □ Membership Chair □ Cellar
Master/Assistant Cellar Master □ Web Site Manager □ Newsletter Editor □ Chief Judge/Assistant Chief Judge
Host a board meeting on the first Wednesday of the
month. Which month is best? ________________
Monthly Hospitality: meeting snacks, set up & clean up:
□ Coordinate □ Bring Snack
Jubilee Wine Competition and Picnic: □ Judging Fundraising: □ Coordinate □ Committee member
Harvest Dinner: □ Coordinate □ Find corkage-free res-
taurant
Club Equipment Manager/Storage:
□ Destemmer-Crusher □ Press □ Filter □ Scale Holiday Dinner and Fundraiser: □ Coordinate Home Winery Tours: □ Coordinate □ Destination
Mentor: □ new winemakers □ home viMculture Grape Sourcing/Group Buys: □ Procure □ Manage
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Page 8
Thank you!! Lots of volunteers help keep SHW running smoothly! Much appreciation goes out to:
e
Holiday Party crews: • Fundraising – Vickie Rosalli (Chair), Donna Brown, Helen Frisch, Judy Pinegar • Dinner – Fred Millar (Chair), Gin Yang • Logistics - Terry Piazza-Perham, Cori Morgan, Heather Rodgers, Joe Morgan, Jacque Brown • Members who generously donated raffle and silent auctions items and opened their wallets to support
SHW at the Holiday Party; • Kevin Hubred for being the 2017 editor of SHW’s monthly newsletter The Grapevine. • Gary Young for hosting December’s executive board and Board of Directors’ meetings. • Jerry and Krista Roark for hosting January’s executive board meeting.
Whether volunteering year-long or ad hoc, SHW thanks you for involvement for keeping the Club on top! If you’re interested in serving in an appointed position, such as Equipment Manager or Newsletter Editor and more, please contact President Joe McGillivray at [email protected].
If you’d like to help with monthly meeting hospitality (cheese and bread; SHW reimburses expenses), con-tact Hospitality Chair Vickie Rosalli at [email protected].
2018 Board of Directors Fred Millar — Chair (past president) Gary Young (past president) J. D. Phelps (past president Donna Bettencourt (past president) Joe McGillivray (current president) 2018 Executive Board President –Joe McGillivray Vice President –Terry Piazza-Perham Treasurer –Bob Peake Secretary - Bruce Currie Membership Chairs – Fred Millar & Gin Yang Members at Large
Paul Baldwin Tom Ramme Christa Ring Jerry Roark Robert Wharton
2018 Committees Competition Committee Chair— Vacant Education Committee Chair — Bruce Currie Fundraising Committee Chair — Vacant 2018 Appointed Members Cellar Master — Joe Morgan Chief Judge — Hospitality Chair — Vickie Rosalli Newsletter Editor — Kevin Hubred Web Manager — Judy Pinegar Hospitality Members interested in doing monthly hospitality should contact Hospitality Chair Vickie Rosalli at [email protected].
SHW Calendar of Events
• Executive Board Meetings –6:30 PM start; contactPrez Joe McGillivray for location; pyramid-
• General Meetings –7:00 PM start; upstairs at 3349 J Street, Sacramento
• Meeting and event details - www.sachomewine.com; see Events Calendar and latest Newsletter.
Page 9
SHW Calendar of Events
General Meeting January 17, 7PM Wednesday
Central &Eastern European Wines – Guest Speaker: Eric Danch, Blue Danube Wine
January/February Weekend Pruning Clinic. Watch for the announcement.
Executive Board Meeting
February 7, 6:30 PM Wednesday
All members welcome. Location: Davis
General Meeting February 21, 7 PM Wednesday
Evaluation of 2017 Whites and Rosés
Guest Evaluators: Craig Haarmeyer and Kurt Burris
February / March Saturday UC Davis Winery Field Trip. Details TBA.
Executive Board Meeting
March 7, 6:30 PM Wednesday
All members welcome. Location: Sacramento
Club Equipment Loan Program
Destemmer-Crusher: RENTAL FEE—$25
Contact: Matt Sainson (916) 833-4214
Basket Press—RENTAL FEE—$10
Craig Brown—(916) 203-9961
Super Jet Buon Vino Filter - RENTAL FEE $5
Contact Donna Bettencourt (916) 454-5487
For Information on how to Clean and Use the Super Jet Fil-ter see videos: http://www.buonvino.com/videos.html
NEW! Scales for Weighing Grapes – RENTAL FEE – $10. Scales can be made to tare to container, and weigh up to 400 pounds
Contact: Craig Brown—(916) 203-9961
All equipment must be returned clean
Additional information can be found at http://www.sachomewine.com/member-services/winemaking-
equipment-loan-program/
We’re on the Web! www.SacHomeWine.com
Mail To:
2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Fred Millar - Chair (past president) Gary Young (past president) J. D. Phelps (past president
Donna Bettencourt (past president) Joe McGillivray (current president)
2018 Executive Board President - Joe McGillivray
Vice President - Terry Piazza-Perham
Treasurer - Bob Peake Secretary - Bruce Currie
Membership Chairs – Fred Millar & Gin Yang
Members at Large Paul Baldwin Tom Ramme Christa Ring Jerry Roark
Robert Wharton
2018 Committees Competition Committee Chair— Vacant
Education Committee Chair — Bruce Cur-rie
Fundraising Committee Chair — Vacant
Hospitality Needed! Volunteers
for Monthly Meeting
Choose a month to help the club!
Bring cubed cheese and sliced bread as snacks to the monthly meeting. SHW will reimburse for food cost. Set out food at the beginning of meeting and at the end of evening, package up leftover, and help clean tables. Members interested in doing monthly hospitality should contact Hospitality Chair Vickie Rosalli at [email protected].
INFORMATION CORNER
Postage:
2018 Appointed Members Cellar Master — Joe Morgan
Chief Judge — Hospitality Chair — Vickie Rosalli Newsletter Editor — Kevin Hubred
Web Manager — Judy Pinegar
Return Address:
Sacramento Home
Winemakers
C/O Jacque Brown
1616 Berkeley Way
Sacramento, CA 95819