Viticulture briefs

<p class="bold allcaps">Growers to vote on vine pest assessment</p> <p>The state board that oversees Pierce's disease research has announced that wine-grape growers will soon have the chance to vote on whether to continue the statewide wine-grape assessment funding the program for another five years.</p><p>All grape growers who paid the assessment in 2009 will be eligible to vote on the program, known as the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pierce's Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board.</p><p>Since 2001, an assessment on wine grapes has been the primary source of funding for research into the deadly vine disease and its primary vector, the glassy-winged sharpshooter. In 2005, growers voted to extend the program to 2011.</p><p>Ballots will be sent out in late March or early April. Growers with questions can contact (916) 322-3400. Results are expected around June 15.</p><h3>Bevill to manage Hanna vineyards</h3> <p>Hanna Vineyards and Winery has hired Bevill Vineyard Management to oversee 140 acres of Hanna's vineyards in Sonoma County.</p><p>The properties include Red Ranch in Alexander Valley and Slusser Road and Home Ranch in Russian River Valley.</p><p>Winery president Christine Hanna said she hired Duff Bevill to bring state-of-the-art viticulture practices to her winery's estate wine program.</p><p>Founded in 1973, Bevill Vineyard Management manages 1,000 acres of vineyards in Sonoma County and employs 125 workers.</p><h3>Seminars focus on tax and trade rules</h3> <p>The federal Tax and Trade Bureau will present a series of one-day seminars on federal regulations and compliance training for the California wine industry next month.</p><p>The seminars will be in Santa Rosa on April 12-13 and in Napa on April 15-16, and run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The morning portion deals with changes after qualification, alternations/custom crush, and taxes, while the afternoon will cover labeling, recordkeeping and current issues.</p><p>Admission is free, but registration is required and seating is limited. Registration information and seminar locations can be found at: www.ttb.treas.gov/pdf/seminars/ca2010.pdf.</p><p>— Kevin McCallum</p>