Fetzer Vineyards Names Former US EPA Policy Specialist to Manage Organic Farming Push

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Fetzer Vineyards Names

Former US EPA Policy Specialist to Manage Organic Farming Push

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Fetzer Vineyards Names

Former US EPA Policy Specialist to Manage Organic Farming Push

Dr. Ann Thrupp Will Help Growers Convert to Certified Organic Vineyards

CALIFORNIA, HOPLAND, Mar. 13 -/E-Wire/Business Wire/-- A leader in the sustainable agriculture movement who most recently served as a scientist and policy specialist with the United States Environmental Protection Agency has joined the Fetzer Vineyards grower relations staff and will help Fetzer grower partners complete the transition by 2010 to 100 percent organic farming.

Fetzer President Paul Dolan is bringing Dr. Ann Thrupp aboard as Manager of Organic Development, he says, to help keep the winery on track toward meeting its goal of having all estate and contracted vineyards farmed organically before the end of this decade. All 2000 acres of Fetzer owned and farmed vineyards in Mendocino County and along California's Central Coast are now farmed organically, and the winery intends to have all grower partners farming organically as well.

"Dr. Thrupp's sole focus will be on sharing the latest organic viticulture research and techniques with our vineyard teams and grower partners," said Dolan. "With this singular attention, she will help us turn important ideas into meaningful action." Dr. Thrupp will develop resource manuals and training, work with chemical suppliers to develop organic alternatives to synthetic fertilizers and weed control, and develop a number of additional programs focused on organic wine grape growing, some in conjunction with the University of California at Davis.

As a noted researcher, consultant and published expert focusing on sustainable agriculture development, food and environmental policy and land use issues in rural development, Dr. Thrupp brings two decades of both practical and academic experience to Fetzer. At the EPA, she was part of the Agriculture Initiative program providing grants and education on sustainable agriculture practices. Earlier, she apprenticed in organic viticulture at Frogs Leap Vineyards in Napa, and helped Robert Mondavi Winery refine their natural farming program, based on sustainable concepts.

She became well known as the Director of Sustainable Agriculture at the World Resources Institute, based in Washington D.C., which included international agricultural research, educational and development projects in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Dolan first met Dr. Thrupp when she was researching and writing a case study about Fetzer's sustainable practices for a World Research Institute report published as Fruits of Progress: Growing a Sustainable Food and Agriculture Industry.

"As we move toward our goal of using only organically farmed grapes in our wines, we want to provide the expertise, enthusiasm and encouragement that will make this change successful," explained Dolan. "Dr. Thrupp brings all that, and more, to our Organic 2010 team." Dolan cited her close work with the California Association of Winegrape Growers and other regional grower groups as demonstrated success. "Our viticultural staff and growers will value her insights and assistance," he said.

Dr. Thrupp is a Fellow in the California Agriculture Leadership Program. She earned her BA degree at Stanford University, and was a Marshall and Fulbright scholar at Sussex University in England, where she earned her Master's and Doctoral degrees.

Fetzer Vineyards adopted sustainable business practices nearly two decades ago, and has been a leader in growing organic grapes for several years. Fetzer vineyards are certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), and are free of genetically modified organisms (GMO), radiation, pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers.

Since its founding in 1968 by the Fetzer family in rural Mendocino County, California, the winery has pursued a vision of sustainable business that reaches beyond the vineyards to all areas of winery operations. In the last decade the winery has reduced waste formerly sent to landfills by 94 percent, reduced energy demand by nearly a third with one of the largest renewable solar energy programs in the country, and created a culture that strives for a balance of environmental concern, social responsibility and sound business practices.

"We see the possibilities of the future," said Dolan, "and it's a future we want to share."

Most of all, says Dolan, the decisions are made simply because the consumer receives a better wine. "There are many reasons to adopt the sustainable culture that we have at Fetzer, but it's important not to forget that everything we do is designed to deliver a flavorful, quality bottle of wine for our consumers.

"That's our greatest success."

Fetzer Vineyards has been part of Brown-Forman Wines since 1992. Fetzer produces several lines of quality premium wines including such category leaders as Sundial Chardonnay and Eagle Peak Merlot and super-premium lines under the Barrel Select and Reserve labels that are available in restaurants and high-end wine shops.

Fetzer Five Rivers Ranch debuted in the heart of the Central Coast at Paso Robles in 1999. Five Rivers Ranch wines express the pure coastal flavor of the best Central Coast appellations, featuring Monterey and Santa Barbara counties.

Note: A photo is available at URL: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.031303/bb11

James Caudill, 415/444-7410 or 707/799-0144 (mobile), 707/570-2098 (after hours), [REDACTED-EMAIL] or Ann Thrupp, 707/272-1152, [REDACTED-EMAIL]

http://www.fetzer.com

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