This week's viticulture briefs

Vineyard economics seminar to be held in Napa

The 21st annual Vineyard Economics Seminar will be held at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel on May 25, with a focus on the labor shortage occurring at vineyards.

The event, sponsored by the Wine Industry Symposium Group, surveyed attendees on their biggest concerns within the industry. Respondents said a labor shortage was their biggest concern, followed by the impact of vineyard pests, water issues and this fall’s political races.

John Azevedo, director of grower relations for Jackson Family Wines, said in a statement there will be in an increase in labor costs this year with the shortage. Azevedo will be on an industry panel for the event examining the issue.

“Availability of labor is getting progressively worse every year. We feel it in California as we have a lot of labor intensive agriculture, while it is a bit different across the other states that need farm labor. It’s different in other places, but it’s clear that labor is a national issue,” Azevedo said.

For more information or to register, visit www.WineSymposium.com.

Phelps Vineyards promotes family members

Members of the third generation of founder Joseph Phelps’ family have been promoted to leadership posts at Joseph Phelps Vineyards winery in St. Helena.

The family-owned winery has promoted Elizabeth Neuman to director of business development and Will Phelps to director of marketing.

The two also have been appointed to the executive management team of Joseph Phelps Vineyards and will participate in all senior management business matters. The moves help establish a long-term succession plan for the winery that also has a tasting room in Freestone.

“Our family is committed to maintaining and nurturing Joseph Phelps Vineyards as a family-owned and run winery. I am thrilled to have Elizabeth and Will assume leadership roles within our family’s wine business,” said Bill Phelps, president of Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Bill Phelps took over from his father, Joseph, as chairman of the board in 2005.

A granddaughter of Joseph Phelps, Neuman was the first member of her generation to join the family wine business in 2011. She joined the winery as a sales representative and then served as regional sales manager. Neuman graduated from Lehigh University with a business degree.

She recently held the position of wine consultant at Southern Wine and Spirits’ fine wine division in Rohnert Park.

Will Phelps, Bill’s son, has been a sales representative with the company, supporting sales and distribution in California. Phelps attended the University of San Diego, earning a degree in business administration.

He also worked as a regional sales manager with Trinitas Cellars in Napa.

Fountaingrove District gets new board member

Richard Keenan has joined the Fountaingrove District Winegrowers Association as vice president of its board of directors.

Keenan owns Kick Ranch Vineyards in Santa Rosa, which supplies grapes to a number of premium wineries in Sonoma and Napa counties as well as to his own brand, Overland Wines.

Fountaingrove District is Sonoma County’s newest American Viticultural Area, established in March 2015. It encompasses about 600 acres of grapes in hillside vineyards northeast of Santa Rosa to the Napa County line.

Compiled by Bill Swindell. Submit items to ?bill.swindell@pressdemocrat.com.