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Kris Curran moves from Sea Smoke to Foley.
James Laube wrote on Friday and Jancis Robinson reported yesterday that Sea Smoke lead winemaker Kris Curran [rhymes with "learn"] has moved to Foley Estates Vineyard & Winery - on the other side of the Santa Rita Hills (in the AVA of the same name). There, she will oversee production of wines from Foley's growing portfolio of California wines. Foley's general manager and Winemaker, Alan Philips, left his position to launch his own label and to direct winemaking at the new Terravant custom-crush facility being developed in Buellton. The ensuing winemaker shuffle puts Sea Smoke General Manager and Viticulturalist, Victor Gallegos, in the Director of Winemaking position and Curran’s assistant, Don Schroeder, as Sea Smoke winemaker.
Prior to coming to Sea Smoke, Curran - a Santa Barbara County local, helped develop the Koehler Winery after having worked as Assistant Winemaker at Cambria. Since 1997, she has also been making wines under her own label, where she focuses on Spanish varieties grown in the Los Alamos and Santa Ynez Valleys.
More details coming.
Megan McGrath named chief winemaker for Lucas&Lewellen.
Since November 2007, Megan McGrath has been serving as the chief winemaker for Lucas&Lewellen winery. She replaces Daniel Gehrs who had been the Lead Winemaker for Lucas & Lewellen over the past decade. A Los Olivos native, Megan joined Lucas & Lewellen as Assistant Winemaker in February, 2007. She is A Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo graduate with a degree in Soil Science and holds a Certificate in Winemaking from U.C. Davis. She spent the previous four years in Sonoma County, most recently as winemaker for Cahill Winery in Sebastopol. There, she gained extensive experience with Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux varietals and Syrah.
In a recent conversation, Louis Lucas, co-owner and wine grower, said: "It's time for us to have a dedicated winemaker who will focus all their energy on our operation". He wants a full-time winemaker on-site to develop a number of programs at the winery. Lucas focuses on soil conditions and chemistry, adding nutrients and minerals. With her background in Soil Science, McGrath should be a good fit and Louis' emphasis on soil health should resonate well with her. Look for McGrath's wines starting with the 2007 vintage.
Larry Schaffer Has Solo Project.
Fess Parker Assistant Winemaker, Larry Schaffer, is launching his own label: Tercero. The first production will consist of about 500 cases of Rhône varieties sourced form prominent Santa Barbara County vineyards including Fess Parker’s Camp 4 and Rodney’s vineyards, as well as others in the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos Valleys including Watch Hill and Tierra Alta. The initial line up will include Syrah, two styles of Grenache, a GSM blend, as well as Grenache blanc and a Grenache/Mourvedre rosé.
A preview of Schaffer’s coming releases will be available at the Wine Cask Futures tasting in March. Larry Schaffer maybe contacted at: tercerowines@gmail.com.
Santa Barbara County Wineries Found Serving Minors.
The Santa Barbara Independent reported yesterday that three winery tasting rooms in Santa Barbara County were cited for selling alcohol to minors.
Artiste, Black Jack Ranch and Casa Casara were among the 13 tasting rooms visited by a decoy in a joint operation of the Santa Barbara Sheriff and Alcohol Beverage Control on December 28th. In addition to $250 fines levied against the individual tasting room staff, each winery faces fines and suspension or revocation of their license.
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