Viticulture briefs

<p class="bold allcaps">Steele joins Brassfield Estate as associate winemaker</p> <p>Brassfield Estate Winery & Vineyard in Lake County has hired Quincy M. Steele as associate winemaker.</p><p>Steele has been winemaker with his father, Jed Steele, at Steele Wines in Kelseyville since 2002 and was head winemaker and co-founder of Writer's Block Wines and Calvino Jones wines. He has served as research/development winemaker and consultant for Bodega Catena Zapata in Mendoza, Argentina.</p><p>Quincy will collaborate with Brassfield consulting winemaker David Ramey to craft the wines of Lake County's High Valley appellation.</p><p>“We're thrilled to have Quincy join our team and play a critical role working with David Ramey to create awareness for our wines,” Brassfield president David Green said in a statement.</p><h3>La Follette moving into The Barlow</h3> <p>La Follette Wines will open a new tasting room at The Barlow, the marketplace bringing together winemakers, brewers, food producers and artisans in a former apple cannery in Sebastopol.</p><p>A weekend of activities is planned for mid-March, highlighted by a “Popcorn With Pinot Terroir Tour” on March 16. Winemaker Greg La Follette will lead participants on a unique taste excursion that will pair his wines with different flavors of popcorn while exploring the various vineyard sites in the La Follette portfolio. </p><p>The sessions are open to the public. There is no charge to participate, but reservations are required to join the Terroir Tour. For information contact Jana Churich at jchurich@lafollettewines.com.</p><h3>SSU, Wine Institute offer seminar on sustainability</h3> <p>Sonoma State University has partnered with the Wine Institute to offer wine seminars, including a one-day class on sustainability.</p><p>Allison Jordan, director of environmental affairs for the Wine Institute, will teach “Green from Grape to Glass.”</p><p>The course will cover sustainable winery and vineyard practices, including soil and pest management, air and water quality protection, energy and water efficiency, habitat preservation, and environmental approaches to purchasing, human resources and community relations.</p><p>The seminar will be held on March 15 from 1-5 p.m. For information contact Dana Swilley at swilley@sonoma.edu or 664-3347. </p><p>Compiled by Cathy Bussewitz. Submit items to cathy.bussewitz@pressdemocrat.com.</p>