Author: Nicole Takehara
Please click here to view the 2011 Annual Report.
CAWG members are invited to attend the association's Annual Business Meeting (members only) and Awards of Excellence Program and Reception set for Tuesday, January 24th at 5 p.m. in the Grand Nave Ballroom at the Sacramento Sheraton Grand Hotel.
The evening will begin with the Annual Business Meeting (for CAWG members only) from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. The meeting will include comments and reports from President John Aguirre and Chair Bill Pauli, as well as a financial report from Treasurer Ryan Metzler.
The inaugural CAWG Awards of Excellence program will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature the announcement of the CAWG Grower of the Year and the CAWG Leader of the Year.
A reception and networking event will immediately follow the awards and will feature wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres. Elected officials and additional guests will attend this portion of the evening.
CAWG members have received formal invitations by mail. Please call the CAWG office at 1-800-241-1800 to RSVP, or email Jenny Devine at jenny@cawg.org.
Lodi family vineyard recognized for its innovation and leadership within the wine industry
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) presented its Grower of the Year award to Kautz Farms, of Lodi. The award is the highest honor given by CAWG and is bestowed to an individual, family or company “who represents an outstanding example of excellence in viticulture and management, and is recognized by others for innovation and leadership within the industry.”
“John Kautz and his family are true leaders in the agricultural community,” said Bill Pauli, CAWG chair. “Kautz Farms’ resourcefulness, innovation and passion for farming and agriculture, have changed the Lodi area into a major wine region.”
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San Joaquin Valley native recognized for his record of exceptional leadership
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) recognized Nat DiBuduo, president of Allied Grape Growers, as CAWG Leader of the Year. The award is presented to the grower whose personal commitment and record of leadership has benefitted California’s wine industry. DiBuduo is the first recipient of the award which CAWG created to inspire leadership and to acknowledge members who exemplify the strength and influence of the association.
“Nat is most-deserving of this recognition and high honor,” said Bill Pauli, chair of CAWG. “Nat stands up and fights on behalf of all California growers. He is a tenacious advocate for our industry and we’re all better off because of his leadership.”
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Sacramento, Calif. - Longtime Mendocino County winegrape grower Bill Pauli was elected chair of the California Association of Winegrape Growers at its November 10, 2011, board meeting.
Pauli, who along with his wife and sons runs Pauli Ranch, succeeds Kim Ledbetter Bronson, executive vice president of Vino Farms, as chair of the association. Pauli is a past-president of the California Farm Bureau Federation and has served on the American Farm Bureau Federation board of directors.
A third-generation farmer, Pauli grew up on a family farm in Potter Valley. He became a full-time farmer immediately after graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, and shifted the farm's focus from pears to grapes. A few years later, he entered the winemaking business.
Today, Pauli farms approximately 1,100 acres of vines in the Ukiah, Potter and Redwood valleys.
“As a past leader of the California Farm Bureau Federation, Bill brings tremendous leadership experience and a depth of knowledge about our industry and agriculture, generally, to his role as CAWG chair,” said John Aguirre, CAWG president. “CAWG members can expect very active leadership from Bill Pauli.”
Other officers elected to CAWG's board of directors at the November meeting are:
Vice Chair - Heidi Scheid, Scheid Vineyards, Greenfield
Vice Chair - Tom Murphy, The Murphy Companies, Farmington
Secretary - J.R. Shannon, CRS Ranch, Visalia
Treasurer - Ryan Metzler, Fruita del Sol, Fresno
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