Viticulture briefs

VML Winery opens doors at old Belvedere facility

Winemaker Virginia Marie Lambrix opened a new winery bearing her initials, VML Winery, earlier this month at the former Belvedere Winery facility at 4035 Westside Road west of Healdsburg.

The winery is a partnership between Lambrix and Belvedere owner Bill Hambrecht, along with Phil Hurst, Mark De Meulenaere, and Paul and Heath Dolan.

VML will specialize in single-vineyard designated pinot noirs and chardonnays from organic and sustainably farmed vineyards, beginning with the 2008 vintage.

Lambrix has worked in winemaking and viticulture at La Follette Winegrowing, Lynmar Estate and De Loach Vineyards.

“I pinch myself as I stand by our winery sign, feeling so lucky to be part of this sensational team who support my enduring fascination with the vineyards in Russian River Valley,” Lambrix said in a statement.

Vineyard Economics Seminar coming up May 10
The changing market for wine and grapes will be the focus of this year’s annual Vineyard Economics Seminar, held May 10 in Napa.

The conference will attempt to address two key questions: Have the fundamentals of the grape market changed — and will demand exceed supply anytime soon?

Speakers will examine strategies for negotiating grape contracts, pricing and supply trends in the grape market, consumer demand for varietals and regulatory issues impacting water.

The seminar, staged by the Wine Symposium Group, will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Napa Valley Marriott. For information, visit www.winesymposium.com.

Foley acquires stake in Australian wine company
Sonoma-based Foley Family Wines has acquired a minority stake in Australian wine company Wineinc.

Founded in 2004, Wineinc brands include Gotham, Wine Men of Gotham, Stalking Horse, Rusty Gate, Mastermind and StepXStep, marketed in the United States as SXS.

“We are thrilled to partner with Wineinc. Their highly successful wines represent the best of Australia and will allow us to expand the global reach of our portfolio,” owner Bill Foley said in a statement.

Wineinc co-founder Bruce Clugston was named president of Foley’s New Zealand unit, where he will oversee such brands as Clifford Bay, Vavasour, Goldwater and Dashwood.

Founded in 1996, Foley Family Wines has built a portfolio of wineries in California, Washington and New Zealand, including Chalk Hill and Sebastiani in Sonoma County and Merus, Kuleto and Altvs in Napa County.