Russian River Valley growers new board

The Russian River Valley Winegrowers announced its new 2011 board of directors, who will oversee its mission to promote the grapes and wines of the Russian River Valley American Viticulture Area.

Longtime Russian River grower Nick Leras is the 2011 president. Coincidentally, the group’s office is now located in the farmhouse where his father and mother lived when they first arrived in Sonoma County as Greek immigrants.

Leras took over his parents’ ranch in 1976. He runs Leras Vineyard, where he grows pinot noir and chardonnay.

Other officers include John Holdredge, from Holdredge Wines as first president; Randy Luginbill, from Silverado Sonoma Vineyards as second vice president; Carol Kozlowski-Every, from Kozlowski Farms as secretary; and Saralee McClelland-Kunde, from Richard’s Grove & Saralee’s Vineyard. New directors are Nicole Bacigalupi from John Tyler Wines and Percy Brandon from Vintners Inn, John Ash & Co.