Vintners & Growers Alliance elects new board members

Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) announced the addition of four newly elected board members at their January Alliance Meeting. The newly installed board members include:
Michael Muscardini, Muscardini Cellars: A SVVGA member for nine years, Sonoma Valley resident Michael Muscardini together with his wife Robyn launched Muscardini Cellars in 1999. The small, family-run winery, which just opened a new tasting room in Kenwood, specializes in limited production Sangiovese and Syrah from the couple’s “Monte Terra” Vineyard.
J. Bruce England, EnglandCrest Vineyards: Bruce and Judy England moved to Glen Ellen in 1998 to become grape growers and winemakers. They planted a small Zinfandel and Syrah vineyard and broke ground on their winery facility on Dunbar Road. The winery began operation in 2003 and is currently home to Loxton Cellars.
Tom Menzies, Pasatiempo Vineyard: Tom Menzies has been a Sonoma County resident since 1974 and a SVVGA member since planting his Pasatiempo Vineyard in 1999. He is an active member of Sonoma County Grape Growers Association, the Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group, and sub groups of the SCGGA including the Organic Producers Group and the Small Growers Group.
Carlo Cavallo, Sonoma-Meritâge Restaurant: Trained in Italy and Switzerland, Carlo Cavallo has worked at several of Europe’s and America’s most prestigious restaurants and has as an impressive list of celebrity clients. The owner and chef of the critically acclaimed Sonoma-Meritâge Restaurant in Sonoma, Cavallo is one of the founders of the Sonoma Valley Olive Festival. He is also Culinary Director of the Cinema Epicuria and is a culinary instructor at Ramekins cooking school.
Muscardini, England and Menzies are eligible to serve three, two-year terms. As an SVVGA member at large – one who is neither a grower nor vintner – Cavallo can serve a renewable one-year term.
New Board President, Norm Goldstein, President of Carriger Creek Vineyards, said, “These are tremendous additions to our board. Between them, they add substantially to the tapestry of experience, perspective and commitment that fuels the SVVGA’s work representing the interests of our members and supporting the needs of our local Sonoma Valley community.”
Muscardini fills the Vice President seat vacated by Goldstein who takes over as Board President from outgoing President Charlie Tsegeletos (Cline Cellars). Susan Reber (Mission Hills Mortgage) takes on the responsibilities of Treasurer, and Marjorie McLeod (Indian Springs Vineyard) was re-elected to serve as Board Secretary. With the addition of the new members, the 2008 SVVGA board includes: Norman Goldstein, President; Michael Muscardini, Vice President; Susan Reber, Treasurer, Member-at-Large; Marjorie MacLeod, Secretary; Carlo Cavallo, Member-at-Large; Don Chase (Kunde Estate Winery & Vineyards); Mike Colhoun (Landmark Vineyards); Stephanie Dunn, Member-at-Large (Three House MulitMedia, Inc.); J. Bruce England (EnglandCrest Vineyards); Tom Menzies; Vickie Mulas (Mulas Family/Alta Vista Vineyards); Jennifer Scott (Chateau St. Jean); and Dan Schaefer (Audelssa Estate Winery).