Viticulture briefs

<p class="bold allcaps">Price buys vineyard</p> <p>Bill Price, proprietor of Classic Wines and Price Family Vineyards, has acquired the 138-acre Gap's Crown vineyard located in the Sonoma Coast AVA.</p><p>The property is planted to 106 acres of pinot noir and 32 acres of chardonnay. Its grapes have been used in wines made by Kosta Browne Winery, Paul Hobbs, Patz & Hall and others.</p><p>Zepponi & Company, the wine industry mergers and acquisitions firm, served as the financial advisor to the seller's management firm, GI Partners, and negotiated the sale to Gap's Crown LLC, which was recently formed by Price.</p><h3>Pruning contests coming</h3> <p>The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission and Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation will hold the 14th annual Sonoma County Regional Pruning Contests in five viticulture appellations from Feb. 5-13.</p><p>The first- and second-place winners from each AVA will advance to the Sonoma County Championship to be held on Feb. 22, at SRJC Shone Farm. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.</p><p>All events are free and open to the public. RSVP to attend the County Championship by Feb. 17 to www.sonomawinegrape.org/pruning-championship.</p><p>Vineyard employees interested in competing in the regional contests must have their employers submit signed applications to SCWC via fax to 522-5866. Applications are due by noon, two days before their regional contest. Entry forms may be found at the SCWC website at www.sonomawinegrape.org or by contacting Karen at 522-5862 or karen@sonomawinegrape.org.</p><h3>Training session in Lake County on productivity</h3> <p>The Lake County Winegrape Commission (LCWC) is bringing author, mediator and teacher Gregorio Billikopf to Lake County for a two-day training session on “Cultivating Personnel Productivity.”</p><p>The seminar is designed for Spanish-speaking farm supervisors and its goal is to educate mid-level agricultural managers about their roles and responsibilities in implementing farm worker productivity. This seminar will be held on Feb. 5-6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lodge at Blue Lakes.</p><p>Billikopf will provide attendees with tools to strengthen their relationships with personnel, increase employee productivity and heighten their satisfaction. Topics include recruitment, mentoring, mediation, sexual harassment prevention and conflict management.</p><p>Space is limited. Contact Paul Zellman, LCWC director of education, at paulz@lakecountywinegrape.org or 279-2633.</p><p>Compiled by Cathy Bussewitz. Submit items to cathy.bussewitz@pressdemocrat.com.</p>