Gallo lab set to open at Shone Farm

 SANTA ROSA– Santa Rosa Junior College will be the first community college in the state to have a fully bonded winery on site.

  For more than 25 years, instructors in the agriculture and oenology departments at the college have discussed the idea of having a fully functional winery to better educate students in all the processes of winemaking and wine marketing. Until last year, however, it was impossible due to legal issues.

  Now, under new legislation largely written by Bob Henry, of council with school and college legal services, an auxiliary organization can hold the liquor license so that there can be a bonded winery on public grounds for instructional purposes.

  The Gallo Family Wine Laboratory has been formed with money from the Measure A bond and private donors and is set to open for the upcoming harvest on Santa Rosa Junior College’s 365-acre Shone Farm.

  Steve Olson served as the dean of occupational education and economic development for the college and is now retired. He began his career at the college in 1970 teaching agriculture classes and helped to create Shone Farm. The farm has been in operation since 1972.

  “This wine lab will enable students to harvest, make the wine and learn the marketing side as well,” said Mr. Olson, dean emeritus. “They will design the label and develop a marketing plan, and all the proceeds will come back to the wine lab.”

   Currently, Shone Farm produces about 300 tons of grapes from 65 acres each year. It sells the grapes to local wineries including Benziger, Piper-Sonoma, Ravenswood and La Crema. To produce approximately 200 cases of wine, the college will use roughly three tons.
 
 “We will not be competing with the private sector in wine sales,” Mr. Olson said. The legislation passed and became effective January of last year.  
  “Because of this development, the college will be able to provide a seamless experience from planting the vines to selling the bottles. It will enhance the educational opportunities the students have,” Mr. Olson said.

  Currently, Napa Valley College produces wine, though it is made off campus. Prior to the new legislation, a provision of the business and professions code mandated that no alcohol may be possessed, consumed or otherwise on public school grounds. That rule was applied to community colleges as well as high schools and elementary schools.

  As for Shone Farm, the opinion from the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control concluded that the foundation that has been formed is not a state agency, and it can have a bonded winery.

  “We should have everything in place so that we can crush grapes in a few weeks,” said Mr. Olson.