Rutherford Dust Society Holds 9th Annual Meeting

Rutherford, CA - More than 50 members of the Rutherford Dust Society gathered at the elegant Auberge du Soleil resort on February 2nd for their annual membership meeting, to elect officers and to review the organization's goals and mission. It was the 9th annual meeting for the organization, and this year the topics discussed included a wide range of issues of mutual concern.

The officers elected for 2010 were: Larry Stone of Rubicon Estate as president, Robin Baggett of Alpha Omega Winery as vice president, Paul Wagner of Balzac Communications & Marketing as secretary, and Jamie Hurley of Wheaten Palm Vineyards as treasurer.

Each year the Rutherford Dust Society invites speakers to address the annual meeting about issues important to the organization. Gretchen Hayes of Tessera Sciences updated the members on the landmark RDRT (Rutherford Dust Restoration Team) Napa River restoration project. Phase 1a of the restoration project was completed in 2009, with phase 1b and phase 2 scheduled for 2010, and phase 3 in 2011. Included in the project is a maintenance plan which includes removing trash and invasive plant species and upkeep for installed habitat structures. The project has widespread support from environmental groups, regulatory agencies, and local landowners.

In addition to the RDRT project, this year one of the top items on the agenda was the progress made on the society's goal of making Rutherford the greenest AVA in Napa Valley. Frank Leeds of Frog's Leap winery updated the members on efforts to reach this goal. Leeds noted that Rutherford is currently over 60% green.

Also on the agenda was the Rutherford Grange. The committee to revitalize the grange is headed by Master of the Grange Susan Hirschy. "I appreciated the opportunity to speak to the membership about the revitalization of Rutherford Grange and the goal to drive more business to Rutherford area wineries," said Hirschy. "The Rutherford Grange is on its way to breaking state and national records for memberships of a grange during revitalization."

Other discussion topics included marketing outreach for the Rutherford Dust Society: the annual Day in the Dust trade and media tasting, quarterly newsletters to the trade and media, and presentations to the American Wine Society and Society of Wine Educators. A Rutherford tasting by 20 top sommeliers, social media, and a newly redesigned RDS website were part of the marketing outreach, as well as community projects such as the annual Chili Ball.

Another topic of mutual concern was crime prevention, due to the recent rash of solar panel thefts in Rutherford. Deputy Sheriff Jon Thompson of the Napa County Sheriff's Department addressed the group on how to work together as a community towards the goal of reducing crime.

Possibly the most important issue discussed was the recent invasion of Napa County by the European Grapevine Moth. This pest was first detected in various locations in Napa Valley in fall of 2009. State and federal departments of agriculture are taking immediate steps to address this serious threat to the vineyards of Napa Valley. A meeting to update the members on these latest steps is scheduled for March.

About Rutherford Dust Society
Founded in 1994, the Rutherford Dust Society's mission is to encourage and promote the highest quality standards in grape growing and wine making in the Rutherford Viticultural Area, and gain recognition for this quality through education of the membership and public. To that end, the Rutherford Dust Society hosts several yearly events, including the Chili Ball, a festival for all Rutherford winery employees and residents, and A Day in the Dust, a trade and media tasting of current vintages. To promote the health of the Napa River, the Rutherford Dust Society formed The Rutherford Dust Restoration Team, a group of vintners and growers who are working together to improve the health of the river as it passes through the Rutherford AVA.