Weiss replaces Ron Bartolucci as the county's representative on the CAWG board. He was one of four new directors elected to the board in November.

Weiss' business, Bella Vista Farming Co. LLC, provides on-site management for absentee vineyard owners. He is a 14-year-resident of Lake County.

The flagship of properties he manages is Quercus Ranch in Kelseyville, which may be the largest contiguous non-cattle ranch in the county. Quercus grows winegrapes and pears exclusively on its 600 acres.

"I'm really looking forward to being on the (CAWG) board," Weiss was quoted in the Lake County Farm Bureau's January newsletter. "It will be challenging and it will allow me to interact with growers from throughout the state and also to interact with some of the policy makers and, hopefully, have a favorable impact."

The CAWG board directs the only statewide group to focus exclusively on issues.that impact winegrape growers.

"Officially, the role is to find and recommend solutions to lawmakers that benefit all of California," Weiss said. "If our region has a little different twist on an issue, I feel my role will be to represent that."

As an example, he cited Bartolucci's being "very instrumental in representing the organic factions in Lake County."

But he added, "the real reason for having this commission is to argue on behalf of California."

Weiss came to Lake County from the Bay Area. He grew up in Yolo County and has an engineering degree from Stanford. He served for 10 years on the county's Winegrape Commission, performing as chairman for part of that period.

His term on the state winegrape association is three years, with a maximum of nine years.

E-mail John Lindblom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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