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Napa Valley Vintners Elect Robert Steinhauer 2004 President
2/18/2004 - ST. HELENA, CA, - Long-time Napa Valley resident and Beringer vineyard manager Bob Steinhauer, has been elected the 2004 president of the board of directors of the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), one of the most prominent positions in the wine industry. Steinhauer follows on the heels of 2003 NVV president, Clay Gregory.
Over the coming year Steinhauer will lead the regional association, now representing over 230 Napa Valley wineries, in marketing and promotional activities, and advocacy efforts at the local, national and international level.
"We've got a very busy year ahead, with a number of important issues and programs on our plate," said Steinhauer. "Already this year we've helped launch the Napa Green Farm Certification Program in Napa County and we've announced a new organization identity system, officially renaming ourselves the Napa Valley Vintners."
"The NVV will continue to be very involved in local industry and community issues and programs, including farmworker and affordable housing, the Glassy-winged sharpshooter, vine mealy bug, watershed protection and restoration, and of course, the Napa Valley Wine Auction," he said. "And, at the national and international regulatory levels, we're deeply involved in direct shipping, wine labeling and geographic indicators," Steinhauer added.
Steinhauer has held numerous leadership positions throughout his career in wine and viticulture. Most recently he served as board member and vice president of the NVV and the Napa Valley Wine Auction (NVWA). In 2001, Steinhauer was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to serve on the State of California's Pierce's Disease and Glassy-winged Sharpshooter board - an entity to which he was recently named chairman. Steinahauer is currently on the board of directors of the California Wine Institute, and formerly served on the boards of the American Vineyard Foundation and the American Society of Enology and Viticulture, where he served as president from 1985-86.
Steinhauer received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in viticulture and plant science from Fresno State University. After relocating to Napa Valley in 1971, he gained invaluable experience by working with some of the Valley's winemaking legends including Louis Martini, Roland Wilkerson, Joe Heitz, Jim Lider, Frank L. "Laurie" Wood, André Tchelistcheff and Charlie Williams. Steinhauer joined Beringer Vineyards in 1979 and began work on the winery's Private Reserve program with winemaker Ed Sbragia.
Also elected to year-long officer positions with the NVV and the Napa Valley Wine Auction (NVWA) boards are Vice President, Joel Aiken, Beaulieu Vineyard; Chief Financial Officer, Hugh Davies, Schramsberg Vineyards; Secretary, Tracey Skupny, Lang & Reed Wine Company; Secretary, NVWA, Jennifer Baerwald, community board member; and, Gary Gates, Frogs Leap, who was re-appointed as chief financial officer of the NVWA.
Also serving on the NVV board for 2004 are Dawnine Dyer, Dyer Vineyards; Peter McCrea, Stony Hill Vineyard; Karen Cakebread, Cakebread Cellars; Paula Kornell, Oakville Ranch Vineyards; W. Clarke Swanson, Jr., Swanson Vineyards; John Williams, Frog's Leap; and, Craig Williams, Joseph Phelps Vineyards. NVWA community board members and advisors include: Melinda Mendelson, W. Sloan Upton, Wes Walker, Bob Holder and Clay Gregory.
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