The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC) recently announced its new commissioners and alternates. Ten candidates were re-elected to two-year terms. Newly re-elected commissioners include: Duff Bevill, Bevill Family Vineyards; Joe Dutton, Dutton Ranch; Mark Houser, Hoot Howl Creek and Alexander Valley Vineyards;  Pete Opatz, Silverado Premium Properties; Mike Rowan, Wine Creek Vineyards, and Ronda Smith, UC Cooperative Extension, reappointed as public member.

Commission officers include: Steve Sangiacomo, chairman, Sangiacomo Vineyards; Jim Murphy, vice-chairman, Murphy Ranch, and Joe Dutton, secretary/treasurer, Dutton Ranch.  

Returning commissioners include:John Balletto, Balletto Vineyards, Kevin Barr, KL Barr Vineyards, and Richard Mounts, Mounts Vineyard.

Those newly re-elected as commission alternates include: Chris Bowen, Hunter Farms; Charles Karren, Terra de Promissio; Mark Pasternak, Devil’s Gulch Ranch; Brad Petersen, Fall Creek Vineyards and Steve Thomas, Wildwood Vineyards.

Returning alternates are: Tim Carl, Knights Bridge Vineyards; Joan Griffin, Griffin’s Lair Vineyard; Vicki Michalczyk, Hawk Hill Vineyard; Bill Munselle, Wasson and Munselle Vineyards; and Avtar Sandhu.

Winegrape growers in the California Crush District 3 of Sonoma and Marin counties who sold 25 tons of grapes in 2009 were eligible for nomination as commissioners. The growers then voted on the nominated candidates.