Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/628173
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT 16 / the tasting panel / january-february 2016 Hitting the Road in 2016! Calling all sommeliers, wine buyers, beverage directors and hospitality professionals! THE TASTING PANEL and sister publi- cation The SOMM Journal made a New Year's Resolution to spend more quality time with our loyal readers—here is just a taste of the exciting events and partnerships we've got coming up this year. We can't wait to see you soon! March 20–24 British Columbia SOMM Camp: The British Columbia Wine Institute invites you to explore the vineyards and wineries of the Okanagan Valley—from Kelowna's ice wines to Osoyoos's bold Bordeauxs. April 11 in Los Angeles and April 18 in Las Vegas: We're bringing some of the West Coast's best bartenders together to celebrate the launch of our exclusive Jack Daniel's book, which will mail with your May issue! April 12–14 Paso Robles SOMM Camp: Winemakers of the Paso Robles CAB (Cabernet and Bordeaux) Collective host the annual CABs of Distinction, a rich exploration of the region that includes vineyard tours, wine- maker dinners, panel discussions and tastings. May 12–14 International Chardonnay Symposium: Experience the classic California beach towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach and explore Edna Valley wine country for an in-depth exploration of the world's favorite grape. Tastings, seminars and educational panels abound. For more information or to RSVP for any of these events, email Becky Tsadik at becky@tastingpanelmag.com. With over 25 years of design and branding experience in the food and beverage industry, Cynthia Sterling looks into what makes for successful branding and packaging for craft spirits in her book Branding: Distilling (White Mule Press, $28). The book walks the reader through establishing a brand- ing strategy, the anatomy of great packaging and managing the design process. Full of inspiration, it will help anyone looking to build a new brand or rework an existing one. Drawn to the backstories and history of spirits and cocktails, customers seek out an education when they belly up to the bar, making books like Lost Recipes of Prohibition: Notes from a Bootlegger's Manual (Countryman Press, $27.95) a must read for any bartender or cocktail enthusiast. It reproduces pages from a manuscript of a physician in 1920s Manhattan that contained over 300 secret recipes for compounding— blending alcohol for medicinal purposes and creating credible imitations of spirits. While some recipes have been modernized, many remain authentic with notes from the bartend- ers that created them. Book Report APPOINTMENTS J eff Zappelli has been appointed to the position of General Manager of WALT Wines, the Sonoma- based Pinot Noir and Chardonnay brand owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall. Zappelli joined HALL in 2006, where he grew to lead and define HALL's direct-to-consumer programs. In 2012, Craig and Kathryn Walt Hall unveiled a long sought-after proj- ect, a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay label under WALT, named after Kathryn's parents. This move expanded Zappelli's role to both HALL and WALT brands. In his new role at the helm of WALT, Zappelli will be responsible for the day-to-day opera- tions and strategic planning for the brand. Saying Goodbye T he man pivotal in the success of the Monterey County wine region—Rich Smith, owner of Paraiso Vineyards—passed away late last month. After graduating from U.C. Davis with a degree in Agricultural Science and Management, Smith began grown grapes in Monterey County in the 1970s. In 1977, he started a custom harvesting business, and in 1987, he purchased his own 350-acre vineyard, which became Paraiso Vineyards two years later. Over his lifetime, he was involved in more than a dozen industry boards, including the Monterey County Farm Bureau, the California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine America and the Executive Leadership Board for the Department of Viticulture & Enology at U.C. Davis. He spearheaded the successful campaign to establish the new appellation of the Santa Lucia Highlands American Viticultural Area. Already entrenched in the family businesses, his son Jason and daughter Kacy will continue to build upon their father's legacy.