Avenue Vine

More than 120 people from all around the state attended this year’s dinner, which has become a tradition among winegrape growers and members of the California wine community who take this opportunity to introduce themselves to invited guests from the Legislature. Dinner sponsors included: Pan American Underwriters; California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG); E&J Gallo Winery; Sutter Home Winery; Dow AgroSciences; Vino Farms; Farmers & Merchants Bank; TriCal, Inc.; Allied Grape Growers; Mary Roach Crop Insurance; and Scheid Vineyards.

“Each year we are raising more and more funds which have allowed us to award extra scholarships to graduating seniors who are eager to continue their education,” said Ben Drake, CWGGF’s chairman. “There are so many deserving young people out there. By raising additional money, we’re able to help more of them go to college.”

At this year’s dinner former USDA Deputy Secretary Richard E. Rominger was presented with the 2007 “Friend of California Wine Grape Growers” award. Rominger is a fourth generation farmer from Yolo County and served as Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture from 1992 to 2000. Prior to his service in Washington, D.C., he served as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture from 1977 to 1983. More recently, Rominger served on the Board of Regents of the University of California representing alumni. He also completed two terms on the UC President’s Advisory Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, and is active on the board of directors for the American Farmland Trust and the Roots of Change Council exploring new options for a sustainable agri-food system.

The award was presented by Steve McIntyre, a CWGGF Foundation trustee and CAWG vice-chair member, who said, “His leadership and understanding of the California winegrape community and his responsiveness to issues like the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, combined with his tireless advocacy building rural-urban bridges to foster a deeper appreciation for the role of agriculture in this state, makes him an outstanding selection as our 2007 Friend of California Winegrape Growers.”

In addition, Andy Hoxsey, managing partner of the Napa Wine Co. in Oakville, was honored for his sustained support to develop a wine program to support the CWGGF scholarship program.

The scholarship program was created by CAWG in 1998 to promote education for the children of vineyard employees. One year later, CWGGF, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charitable organization, was created to support and maintain the scholarship program in perpetuity. The Foundation now awards at least six scholarships annually, two scholarships of $1,000 per year for four years to any campus in the UC or CSU system and four scholarships of $500 per year for two years to any California community college.

California Wine Grape Growers Foundation Website: (left click here)

California Association of Winegrape Growers Website: (left click here)

Sacramento, Calif.,--April 18, 2007