Markham Vineyards at 30 Not Slowing Down

Thank goodness 30 has been declared the new 20.

"When I realized the winery hit 30 this year, I worried we were going to have to settle down," said Markham Vineyards President Bryan Del Bondio. "But according to today's culture mavens, we're barely out of our teens, so I guess we'll just keep doing cool stuff and having fun."

Along those lines, 2008 will see Markham unveil updated packaging, launch a major philanthropic effort, and play host to an exhibition of Baron Wolman's classic rock photos. "We've got a lot going on, but that's always been our style," Del Bondio said, pointing to a slew of quality improvements completed over the last decade in the winery and at Markham's 230-plus acres of Napa Valley vineyards, including:

--replanting to enhance fruit quality and yields;

--moving to vertical shoot positioning to improve sunlight penetration and air circulation, reducing vegetal characteristics and improving overall wine quality;

--changing to east-west row direction in Yountville vineyard to increase hang time during the fall months for maximum flavor development;

--using smaller fermentation tanks and extended maceration to allow greater extraction and improved overall mouthfeel in the wine;

--and using a new crusher/destemmer that allows for whole berry or whole cluster treatment of whites, for a finished wine with more fruit character and fewer bitter notes.

"We've done a lot to maintain our promise to our customers to give them great Napa Valley wines at fair prices," Winemaker Kimberlee Nicholls said. "Everything going on this year really brings that into focus."

The activities kick off with refreshed labels and shippers, a sharpened look that reflects the high quality of the wine in the bottle while holding true to Markham's rich history and heritage. The new packaging is rolling out now with the 2006 Chardonnay, with other varietals to follow later this spring.

The labels note that the winery 's lineage dates to 1879, when Jean Laurent began making wine in a 6,000-square-foot stone winery just north of the town of St. Helena. The winery went through a number of owners over the century to follow, until Bruce Markham bought it and started Markham Vineyards in the old Laurent Winery in 1978. Among Markham's first hires: Del Bondio, as general manager.

In 1988, when Markham sold the winery , Del Bondio took over as president. The two decades that followed saw the winery surge into a leadership role in Napa. Along the way, community involvement became a cornerstone at Markham, at both the local and nation levels. Benefactors over the years have included the Northern California-based Milagro Foundation, the Napa Valley Vintners' annual auction and, around the country, the Catch 22 Foundation in New Orleans, Tom Coughlin Jay Fund in Jacksonville, Fla., and the Chicago Lighthouse for the blind.

Markham takes its philanthropic efforts to a new level this spring with the establishment of a program that will award $25,000 grants to individuals pursuing projects to improve their neighborhood, city or town.

"Just as Markham's investment in the land and the people of Napa Valley produces great wines, we believe individuals who invest time, energy and passion toward the betterment of their community are capable of greatness," said Del Bondio. "This new program will empower such exceptional individuals, and it's going to be a blast to see the great things people do."

Also in the fun category: All year long Markham will feature the work of Baron Wolman, the legendary first chief photographer for Rolling Stone, at the Harley Bruce Markham Gallery at the winery . And on March 29, the winery will host an Illustrated Lecture with Wolman. Paid admission to the event includes barrel and cheese tasting, and can be arranged by calling the winery at (707) 963-5292.

About Markham Vineyards:

Founded in 1978 and with a lineage dating to 1879, Markham Vineyards has achieved success through an unwavering commitment to Napa Valley, trusting in the generosity of the land in crafting its wines and giving back through a wide range of charitable initiatives. The winery controls some 350 acres of vineyard strategically located in several of Napa Valley's best growing regions and selects grapes from several microclimates to achieve balanced and rich wines, with a focus on Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

About Terlato Wines:

Terlato Wines International has a global portfolio of more than 40 brands from a host of world-class wine producers and presently markets more than one out of eight bottles of wine over $14 sold in America. Terlato, with more 90+ ratings than any wine company in the world, is the flagship company of the Terlato Wine Group, the parent company of several independent businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. Owned and operated by the Terlato family, the Group also includes the family's winery investments and partnerships in some of the world's most esteemed wine regions, including: Napa Valley; Sonoma County; Santa Barbara County; Victoria, Australia; France's Rhne Valley; and Somontano in Spain.

The Terlato Wines International portfolio of brands includes: Napa Valley: Brandlin, Chimney Rock, Cuvaison Estate Wines, Markham Vineyards, Rutherford Hill, Tangley Oaks and Terlato Family Vineyards; Sonoma County: Alderbrook, Hanna, Rochioli and Terlato Family Vineyards; Santa Barbara County: Sanford and Tangley Oaks; California Appellation: Glass Mountain and Seven Daughters; Oregon: Argyle and Sokol Blosser; Italy: Baglio di Pianetto, Ca' del Bosco, Ca' Marcanda (Gaja Toscana), Florio Martinez Marsala, Gaja, Il Poggione, Kettmeir, Santa Margherita, Tiramis, Torresella and Distillatori Nonino (Grappa); France: Champagne Bollinger, M. Chapoutier, Chteau des Laurets (Rothschild), Domaine Chanson, Domaine Louis Moreau, Josmeyer and Langlois-Chateau; Australia: Branson Coach House, Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier, Domaine Tournon and Two Hands; Argentina: Tamar; Canada: Peller Estates Icewine; Greece: Boutari; New Zealand: Wairau River; South Africa: Cirrus, Guardian Peak, Engelbrecht-Els, Ernie Els Signature and Rust En Vrede; Spain: Olvena; Switzerland: Xellent. For more information, visit www.terlatowines.com.

Markham Vineyards at 30 Not Slowing Down

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Markham Vineyards at 30 Not Slowing Down

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