New Commissioners, John Balletto Elected Chairman
The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC) recently announced its new commissioners and alternatives. Four candidates were re-elected to two-year terms and two former alternates are now commissioners. Newly re-elected commissioners include: Duff Bevill, Bevill Family Vineyards; Joe Dutton, Dutton Ranch; Mark Houser, Hoot Howl Creek and Alexander Valley Vineyards; Mike Rowan, Creek Vineyards (formerly an alternate), Pete Opatz, Silverado Premium Properties and Vino Farms (formerly an alternate) and Ronda Smith, UC Cooperative Extension, reappointed as public member.
Returning commissioners and officers include John Balletto, chairman, Balletto Vineyards; Steve Sangiacomo, vice chairman, Sangiacomo Vineyards; Richard Mounts, secretary/treasurer, Mounts Vineyards; Jim Murphy, Murphy Ranch and Richard Rued, Rued Vineyards.
Those elected as new commission alternates include: Chris Bowen, Hunter Farms; Mark Pasternak, Devil’s Gulch Ranch; Brad Petersen, Fall Creek Vineyards and Steve Thomas, Kunde Vineyards.
Returning alternates are: Kevin Barr, Redwood Empire Vineyard Management; Tim Carl, Knights Bridge Vineyards; Vicki Michalczyk, Hawk Hill Vineyard; Bill Munselle, Wasson and Munselle Vineyards and Wells Wagner, Sylvan Hills Vineyards.
Winegrape growers in the California Crush District 3 of Sonoma and Marin counties who sold 25 tons of grapes in 2007 were eligible for nomination as commissioners. The growers then voted on the nominated candidates.