News Briefs Northwest
Grand Rêve becomes Force Majeure
The 1,000-case Grand Rêve Vintners, Kirkland, Wash., is transitioning its name to Force Majeure Vineyards in response to a trademark dispute. The last wine to be sold under the Grand Rêve label is the 2008 Collaboration Series III released this fall. All subsequent wines will be released under the Force Majeure label with Collaboration Series I, II, III, IV, V, VI bottlings. Visit: grandrevevintners.com.
Fort Berens Estate appoints Pierson
The 1,700-case Fort Berens Estate Winery Ltd., Lillooet, B.C., Canada, appointed Bill Pierson of the Vintage Consulting Group as its winemaker. Pierson will oversee all winemaking operations with consulting advice from veteran winemaker Tom DiBello. Pierson was the assistant winemaker at Cedar Creek, Laughing Stock and Township 7 Vineyards & Winery in the Okanagan, and he mentored under winemakers in the valley including Tom DiBello and Michael Bartier. Originally from Montreal, Pierson has an engineering background and moved in 2000 to the Okanagan, where he completed viticulture and wine studies programs at Okanagan College. Visit: fortberens.ca.
Wine Foundation awards scholarships
The Washington Wine Industry Foundation awarded a total of $18,000 in scholarships to 11 applicants for the 2011-12 school year as the students pursue higher education in viticulture or enology. A selection committee comprised of Washington grape and wine industry leaders reviewed applications in July. Formal industry recognition of the students is slated for February 10, 2012, during the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers annual meeting. The foundation has awarded more than $80,000 in scholarships since 2001. Applications for 2012 scholarships must be post-marked by June 1, 2012. Visit: washingtonwinefoundation.org.
Fort Berens Estate appoints Pierson
The 1,700-case Fort Berens Estate Winery Ltd., Lillooet, B.C., Canada, appointed Bill Pierson of the Vintage Consulting Group as its winemaker. Pierson will oversee all winemaking operations with consulting advice from veteran winemaker Tom DiBello. Pierson was the assistant winemaker at Cedar Creek, Laughing Stock and Township 7 Vineyards & Winery in the Okanagan, and he mentored under winemakers in the valley including Tom DiBello and Michael Bartier. Originally from Montreal, Pierson has an engineering background and moved in 2000 to the Okanagan, where he completed viticulture and wine studies programs at Okanagan College. Visit: fortberens.ca.
Wine Foundation awards scholarships
The Washington Wine Industry Foundation awarded a total of $18,000 in scholarships to 11 applicants for the 2011-12 school year as the students pursue higher education in viticulture or enology. A selection committee comprised of Washington grape and wine industry leaders reviewed applications in July. Formal industry recognition of the students is slated for February 10, 2012, during the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers annual meeting. The foundation has awarded more than $80,000 in scholarships since 2001. Applications for 2012 scholarships must be post-marked by June 1, 2012. Visit: washingtonwinefoundation.org.
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