Murphy-Goode Winery in California's Alexander Valley has selected Maggie Harrison of New York City as its “A Few Goode Heroes” contest winner for the month of April.

Harrison is executive director of the New York chapter of KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now), a national non-profit that provides gym time and recreational, non-competitive sports activities for children, teens and young adults with special needs. Since joining KEEN in October 2011, Harrison has expanded the organization by increasing outreach, creating an annual family day event, building partnerships with local colleges and schools, and opening a new program in Brooklyn.

Dave Ready, Jr., winemaker for Healdsburg-based Murphy-Goode, said:

“We’re proud to honor Maggie and her work empowering young people with special needs. Maggie has helped these athletes do things they may never have thought possible."

As Murphy-Goode’s Hero of the Month, Harrison will receive a $1,000 donation to KEEN New York. Murphy-Goode will also make a matching grant to its own non-profit partner, Operation Homefront, the national organization that provides emergency monetary aid to military families. In addition, Harrison is now eligible for the grand prize of a Fourth of July barbecue in her hometown, hosted by the winery.

Murphy-Goode’s “A Few Goode Heroes” contest will continue through the end of this month. To participate, visit the Murphy-Goode Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MurphyGoodeWinery to nominate the person you feel best exemplifies altruism, leadership, self-sacrifice or positive influence. 

Murphy-Goode has long sought to recognize heroes. Since Fall 2011, the winery has partnered with Operation Homefront to support military families in need. Murphy-Goode has donated more than $100,000 to the cause on behalf of the winery and its fans.

To learn more, visit www.murphygoodewinery.com or www.facebook.com/MurphyGoodeWinery.  

In its inaugural event on April 25th and 26th, the Paso Robles CAB Collective hosted 1,000 attendees to celebrate the Bordeaux varietal's influence in the area.

"In regards to Cabernet Sauvignon in Paso Robles, we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. Improvements that range from clonal selections in the vineyard to winemaking techniques in the cellar will show in the near future the potential of this terroir," said PRCC chairman Daniel Daou, winemaker, DAOU Vineyards and Winery.

The Paso Robles AVA, 35 miles wide and 25 miles long, consists of 614,000 total acres. 32,574 acres are planted to premium wine production, 53 percent of which are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals.

The weekend kicked-off with a barrel tasting and winemaker dinners on Friday.

Saturday’s festivities began at Windfall Farms with a panel discussion for media and trade moderated by Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s California editor, Steve Heimoff, and included panelists Gary Eberle of Eberle Winery, Kevin Willenborg of Vina Robles Winery, Steve Peck of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Scott Shirley of JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, David Galzignato of Jada Vineyard and Daniel Daou of DAOU Vineyards & Winery. The panel discussion was followed by a tasting and lunch for media and trade guests.

The main event, the CABs of Distinction Grand Tasting, showcased 20 top vintners pouring their best Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-varietal wines alongside cuisine from the region’s finest restaurants and food purveyors. Wineries included: ADELAIDA Cellars, B&E Vineyard, Chateau Margene, DAOU Vineyards & Winery, Eberle Winery, HammerSky Vineyards, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jada Vineyard, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, L’Aventure, Niner Wine Estates, Parrish Family Vineyards, Rangeland Wines, Record Family Wines, Robert Hall Winery, Sextant Wines, Still Waters Vineyards, Venteux Vineyards, Vina Robles and Wild Horse Winery.

Enjoying dinner Friday night at Robert Hall Winery were: (left to right) Bill Henry and John Katopodis of Justin Vineyards and Winery, Jenny Trumbull of Venteux Vineyards and Scott Shirley, winemaker at Justin Vineyards and Winery.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with our first year’s events, the level of interest in our wines and the number of attendees who participated,” said Daou.

To read the full press release, see Paso Robles CAB Collective Debut Event Exceeds Expectations 

To find out more about the Paso Robles Cab Collective, visit www.pasoroblescab.com.

State Spirits Excise Tax Rates from the Tax Foundation. See Wine and Beer excise tax rates.

State Beer Excise Tax Rates from the Tax Foundation. See Table Wine Excise Tax Rates here.

From the Tax Foundation (scroll down to see the entire table):

Facts and Figures 2012: State Table Wine Excise Tax Rates, As of September 1, 2011 (Dollars Per Gallon)

In today's news, Andrew Adams writes about honoring California's living historic vineyards. He refers to California Assembly Resolution HR9 passed in honor of them, and the role the Historic Vineyard Society took in crafting the words of the resolution. Evocative of the state's rich agricultural history and beautifully written, HR9 is worth a read:

WHEREAS, California's living and producing historic vineyards that
were planted in the late 19th century through the mid-20th century
still make a significant contribution to the state's economy and
reputation as a global wine growing region; and

WHEREAS, Historic vineyards are found throughout California, east
from the Sierra foothills and San Joaquin County, west to the Sonoma
coast, north to Mendocino, and south to the Cucamonga Valley; and

WHEREAS, Historic vineyards are beautiful and treasured survivors
that have lived through the ravages of phylloxera, economic
downturns, consumer popularity fluctuations, and in many cases,
prohibition and world wars; and

WHEREAS, These historic vineyards provide an important living
repository for wine grape budwood and genetic material; and

WHEREAS, Historic vineyards often provide a living window on past
vineyard practices including, but not limited to, head-trained vines
and dry farming; and

WHEREAS, The interplanted field blends of grape varieties that
were a common practice of the immigrant farmers who planted
California vineyards in the past characterize an era of agricultural
practice and impart wine attributes that are uniquely Californian;
and

WHEREAS, Fragile older vines are often less productive than
younger vines and can require special care to maintain; and

WHEREAS, Most historic vineyards are family owned and exist by
virtue of the passion of their caretakers; and

WHEREAS, The wine made from California's historic vineyards
continues to delight wine lovers throughout the world and imparts
prestige to the state as a place to live, work, and visit; now,
therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California,
That the Assembly recognizes the contribution of California's living historic
vineyards to the agricultural and social heritage of the state as
well as to the enjoyment of wine enthusiasts throughout California
and the world; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

As the story points out, the Historic Vineyard Society’s 3rd Annual Vineyard Tour and Dinner is set for Saturday, May 11. It will be lead by HVS Board members Mike Officer (Carlisle Winery and Vineyards), David Gates (Ridge Vineyards), Morgan Twain-Peterson (Bedrock Wine Company), Tegan Passalacqua (Turley Wine Cellars) and Bob Biale (Robert Biale Vineyards). A dinner follows at Seghesio Winery, and reservations are limited. For more information: 831-747-0255 or VS@historicvineyardsociety.org. 

Husband and wife duo, Michael and Kerry Amigoni, started their urban winery 15 years ago in their Leawood backyard. Now known as Amigoni Urban Winery, the family grows grapes not normally found in the Missouri area. The couple recently opened a new tasting room in the West Bottoms, perfect for special events or an after-work drink.

From KCLive TV:

Michael Amigoni of Amigoni Urban Winery comments on Wines of Uruguay: Finally Ready?  

The secret is that CA is planting large acres now of Tannat sourced thru Vintage Nurseries.

Leanne Holley from Texas Wine and Trail Magazine comments on Texas Viognier Goes International:

Texas is so very proud of these wineries all located in the Hill Country...now referred to as Texas Wine Country. This is the beginning of a new era for Texas winemaking and grape growing. Wineries like Pedernales Cellars, Becker Vineyards, and Flat Creek Estate are proving Texas is now a serious wine region, and the Hill Country an incredible destination for any wine enthusiast. 

This just in: 

The Family Winemakers of California, an association of family-owned wineries in California, opened trade registration on Monday, May 6 for its annual tasting in San Francisco. The event takes place at the Fort Mason Center on Saturday, August 17 - Sunday, August 18 and is open to qualified members of the trade and media, and consumers.

The event is open to trade from 1 - 6 p.m. on Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. Complimentary admission is open to members of the trade and media who register in advance by August 2. After August 2, tickets are available at a trade discount of $40 on-site. Proof of trade or media status, including applicable state liquor license number and valid trade I.D. is required.

To register online, visit www.familywinemakers.org. For more details on the Family Winemakers Tasting, including a list of participating wineries and a varietal map, visit www.familywinemakers.org.

Over 250 of California's small, family-owned wineries will be showcasing over 800 wines during the course of the two-day tasting, said Paul Kronenberg, president of the Family Winemakers of California, adding:

"As the nation's largest producer of wines, this is an important tasting event for California. This tasting gives the small, family-owned wine producers who make up the association the ability to debut new wines and gain market exposure. It's a great setting for wine industry trade to taste some of the finest wine produced in California. And, as the farm-to-table movement evolves for wine customers, this is an opportunity for members of the trade to find wonderful wines from the winery table to bring to the consumers table, whether it be at home or eating out."