February 22, 2006 SECOND VINTAGE OF BARNEY’S BACKYARD MAGNUMS OFFERED FOR FUNDRAISING

Allen Price holding magnum

The Napa Valley Wine Library Association is delighted that Ehren Jordan of Turley Wine Cellars  incorporates the yield of its little “Barney’s Backyard” (the 91 vines on the rear of the St. Helena Public Library property) with the fruit of the adjacent vineyard, leased from the city, to create the Turley Library Vineyard Petite Syrah.  As its "share," the association receives eighteen (18) magnums, which it donates to assist in the fundraising efforts of local organizations supporting education.  The magnums are packaged in wooden boxes.

The following organizations received magnums of the 2002 "Barney's Backyard" vintage:  St. Helena Public Schools, St. Helena Montessori School, St. Helena Kiwanis, Napa Valley Museum, St. Helena Rotary, St. Helena Coop Nursery, Federated Women Upper Napa Valley, Montessori Family Center, Napa Valley College Foundation and Acorn Soupe.

Magnums of the 2003 vintage are now available, and have been donated or promised to the following organizations:  St. Helena Public Schools, The Young School, Soroptomist International of Calistoga, Montessori Family Center, St. Helena Montessori School, Calistoga Education Foundation.  Interested groups wishing to apply for a magnum should write to the association at P.O. Box 328, St. Helena 94574, specifying their charitable purpose and the date and nature of their fundraising event, or call Julie Dickson at 963-3535.

December 15, 2005

MICHAEL TUMILTY NAMED THIRD LAMBORN SCHOLAR

Michael Tumilty will serve as the 2006 Bob Lamborn Scholar for the Napa Valley Wine Library Association. Michael will participate in the association's educational events and advise NVWLA on how to serve and attract young winery employees.

Born and raised in St. Helena, Michael studied music and in 2002 earned a Summa Cum Laude degree in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University. However, the lure of the grape brought him home, and since 2004 he has been learning the art of winemaking in the labs and cellars of Edgewood Estates, Franciscan Oakville Estates, and Freemark Abbey, and in enology courses at Napa Valley College. He's ready for that first assistant winemaker job!

Michael has moonlighted with "The Maikai Gents," and co-produced a CD of Hawaiian party songs entitled "The Wiki Wiki Grog Shop" with long-time friend and winemaker Judd Finkelstein. Michael's father Richard was rector of Grace Episcopal Church and his mother Joan taught piano to scores of St. Helenans, young and old. Now retired to Grass Valley, the elder Tumiltys have released their own CD of organ and piano classics.
In other news, the NVWLA has welcomed vintners Bob Long and Fulton Mather to its board this past year. Event dates for 2006: Varietal Seminar Aug 12th; Annual Tasting Aug 13th; Fall Field Seminar Oct 14th.
 

June 30, 2005

REMEMBERING REG OLIVER

"Reg poured his energy into his profession, his family, tennis and numerous good causes: where I saw him at work was as a board member and leader of the Napa Valley Wine Library Association.

He and I came on the board at the same time, in 1987. I was an enthusiastic amateur; he was an experienced leader and razor-sharp businessman with a great love for our local history and tradition and of our quirky little organization, now in its 44th year. Over the years I watched and learned and tallied his obvious and also more subtle contributions to our efforts: he managed and oversaw our investments and financia1 arrangements; he was personally generous and sought contributions from his equally generous friends to make possible some of the most valuable acquisitions to our estimable collection; he worked tirelessly to see that our renowned annual tasting for members in August retained its dignified yet friendly tone as it became ever larger and he personally met its logistical and organizational needs. He served three eventful terms as president of the association and later worked with Allen Price to organize and present our most memorable field seminars. He worked with Jim Cross and Diana Stockton to produce our colorful REPORT to members, full of in-depth interviews and summaries of our events. He arranged with Ehren Jordan for Turley Wine Cellars to produce and bottle our "Barney's Backyard" magnums which we distribute to local charities for their fundraising.

My fellow board members and I recall a meeting or two when Reg showed what we called his "imperious" side. But when all was said and done, I for one recognized that his reasoning was unfailingly sound and that he always had the good of the organization at heart.

When I began my first term as president, I found myself turning frequently to Reg for advice and direction. I would stop in at his office and chat with Marilyn or Jane or Jack until Reg could get off the phone and talk with me, and he couldn't have been more helpful, supportive, wise and insightful. Sometimes we only needed a good laugh to resolve what I thought to be a sticky situation.

All of us on the wine library board will miss Reg's energy and capabilities, his friendship and his loyalty. I feel particularly sorry that my successor as president will not have Reg to turn to as I have. We extend our sympathies to Marie and Lily and Jack and their families and can only assure them that we'll try to carry on with the wine library as Reg would have wished."

Julie Dickson, president,
Napa Valley Wine Library Assn. June 30, 2005
 

March 5, 2005

GARY LONG NAMED SECOND BOB LAMBORN SCHOLAR

The association's annual Varietal Seminar ("The Secret Life of White Wines") is scheduled for Saturday, August 13th, and after fourteen years at Silverado will move to COPIA. The Fall Field Seminar on Saturday, October 22nd will focus on St. Helena, the early center of winemaking in the valley and most recently designated viticultural area.

October 3, 2004

THE BRADY BOOK CELEBRATION

On Sunday, October 3, 2004, the directors of the Napa Valley Wine Library Association joined the Wine Librarians Association to celebrate the publication of  "THE BRADY BOOK: Selections from Roy Brady’s Unpublished Writings on Wine". The event was a small private gathering at Stony Hill Vineyards near St. Helena. Wine historians, book collectors and wine writers were also invited to this event.

Spring, 2004

For each of the next five years, the association will designate a scholar to participate in all seminars and events and advise as to how the collection can serve and attract tasting room employees and tour guides.  This program honors the association director who passed away in April, recognizing his support of education and affection for young people.  Jennifer, our 2004 scholar, works in the Special Events Department of COPIA.  She was recommended by Craig Root, who organized the wine library orientation last winter for local tasting room employees.  

October 19, 2002

The tiny (91 vines) heritage vineyard behind the St. Helena Public Library was formally dedicated as "Barney's Backyard" on Saturday, October 19th. The vineyard is named in honor of Barney Rhodes (seated in photograph) who was instrumental in the creation and development of the Napa Valley Wine Library nearly four decades ago. Seated next to Barney is his wife Belle. Music was by Diego and Maria Jameau, nibbles by Miramonte and water by Crystal Geyser. Thanks to everyone for their help in making the dedication a success!

May 8, 2002

WINE INFORMATION KIOSK INSTALLED   

A kiosk devoted to the wine industry and wine topics has been installed in our Internet workstations area. It does NOT provide general Internet access but is restricted to about a dozen important wine sites that we have identified. If you are aware of other wine sites that you would like us to include, please let us know through our COMMENTS FORM. We hope you find this new workstation useful!