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- Written by: Editor
During the “State of the Industry” opening session a presentation given by a representative of The Gomberg Fredrikson report – the executive marketing report of the wine industry – Shannon Ridge was listed alongside other large names such as Sterling, Bogle, Gnarly Head and Barefoot as the topic hit on the growth and buying trends of the 2009 consumer and their focus on value-priced wines.
Shannon Ridge wine sales have exploded as the new packaging hit the shelves in 2009, with just over 43,000 cases being sold in 2009.
“It really validates all of the hard work that goes into creating a brand from vineyard to bottle, and exciting to see that consumers are enjoying the fruits of our labor!” said Clay Shannon, owner of Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery.
In an effort to give back Shannon Ridge will be hosting a “Hearts for Haiti” promotion, and will donate $1 from every bottle purchased in the tasting room to the American Red Cross in support of the Haiti earthquake victims.
Shannon Ridge wines can be found in almost every state around the U.S. For a taste of what Shannon Ridge has to offer, stop by Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery Tasting Room at 12599 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks. The tasting room is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
For more information call 707-998-9656.
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- Written by: California Attorney General's Office
"CalPERS and CalSTRS need to honor the state law requiring them to divest from companies doing business in Iran," Brown said. "It's time for our public pension funds to show some leadership and stop supporting companies that do business with a tyrannical regime."
The California Public Divest from Iran Act was signed into law in October 2007 after the state Senate and Assembly passed the bill by unanimous vote.
The law requires CalPERS and CalSTRS to annually report holdings in companies doing business in the defense, nuclear, petroleum, and natural gas industries in Iran and to divest from any company that fails to take substantial action to cease or limit operations in Iran.
Although CalPERS and CalSTRS both filed annual reports at the end of 2009, these reports fail to:
Explain whether investments in companies with ties to Iran have been reduced;
Describe when the funds anticipate fully divesting from these companies;
Summarize investments transferred to funds that exclude these companies; and
Calculate divestment costs or losses.
The full text of the California Public Divest from Iran Act can be read at: http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0201-0250/ab_221_bill_20071014_chaptered.pdf .
According to the U.S. Department of State's "Country Reports on Terrorism 2008," Iran remains "the most significant state sponsor of terrorism."
CalPERS is the largest public pension fund in the nation with more than 1.6 million members and more than $200 billion in assets. CalSTRS is the largest teachers' retirement fund in the country with 833,000 members and more than $130 billion in assets.
Brown's letters, sent today to CalPERS and CalSTRS, are copied below:
Anne Stausboll
Chief Executive Officer
California Public Employees' Retirement System
Lincoln Plaza East
400 Q Street, Suite E4800
Sacramento, CA 95811
Re: Violations of Iran Act
Dear Ms. Stausboll:
We have reviewed the December 31, 2009 Iran Related Investments - Second Legislative Report issued by the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Unfortunately, in violation of state law, the report fails to explain why CalPERS continues to invest in companies that do business in Iran.
In 2007, the Legislature enacted the California Public Divest from Iran Act, declaring it "unconscionable for this state to invest in foreign companies with business activities benefiting foreign states such as Iran that commit egregious violations of human rights and sponsor terrorism." This law, commonly called the Iran Act, requires CalPERS to report annually on its holdings in companies that are doing business in the defense, nuclear, petroleum, and natural gas industries in Iran, and to divest from any company that fails to take substantial action to cease or limit its Iranian operations.
Although CalPERS has filed annual reports, these reports lack enough detail to enable the public and CalPERS members to know whether CalPERS is complying with the Iran Act. On page 3 of its most recent report, CalPERS declares that it decided "to not divest shares . . . as specified in the Iran Act." Apparently, this decision was based on a conclusion made by the Board almost a year ago that divestment would violate CalPERS' fiduciary duty to its members. But the report utterly fails to explain how and why this is the case.
In addition, the report fails to include many of the Iran Act's specific reporting requirements. The report merely lists 24 CalPERS holdings that do business in Iran (up four from the last report) and states-without analysis or elaboration-that "substantial progress has been made through the engagement process, in the curtailment and cessation of business operations in Iran." Nothing in these general comments complies with the Iran Act's requirements for CalPERS to explain whether it has reduced its investments in these companies, to describe when it anticipates fully divesting in these companies (or to explain the reasons for not divesting), to summarize investments transferred to funds that exclude these companies, or to calculate divestment costs or losses.
Please let us know as soon as possible what specific actions you plan to take to comply with the provisions of the Iran Act.
Sincerely,
EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
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Jack Ehnes
Chief Executive Officer
California State Teachers' Retirement System
100 Waterfront Place
Post Office Box 15275
Sacramento, CA 95851-0275
RE: Violation of Iran Act
Dear Mr. Ehnes:
We have reviewed the December 31, 2009 Response to Iran Risk Report issued by the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS). Unfortunately, in violation of state law, the report fails to explain why CalSTRS continues to invest in companies that do business in Iran.
In 2007, the Legislature enacted the California Public Divest from Iran Act, declaring it "unconscionable for this state to invest in foreign companies with business activities benefiting foreign states such as Iran that commit egregious violations of human rights and sponsor terrorism." This law, commonly called the Iran Act, requires CalSTRS to report annually on its holdings in companies that are doing business in the defense, nuclear, petroleum, and natural gas industries in Iran, and to divest from any company that fails to take substantial action to cease or limit its Iranian operations.
Although CalSTRS has filed annual reports, these reports lack enough detail to enable the public and CalSTRS members to know whether CalSTRS is complying with the Iran Act. The most recent report refers to several lists of companies with varying degrees of ties to Iran. The report neither identifies all of the companies nor states which ones are actually held by CalSTRS.
Nothing in the report complies with the Iran Act's requirements for CalSTRS to explain whether it has reduced its investments in companies with ties to Iran, to describe when it anticipates fully divesting in these companies (or to explain the reasons for not divesting), to summarize investments transferred to funds that exclude these companies, or to calculate divestment costs or losses.
Please let us know as soon as possible what specific actions you plan to take to comply with the provisions of the Iran Act.
Sincerely,
EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Being poured this evening were the 2007 High Valley Fume Blanc, 2006 Bell Hill Merlot, 2006 Bell Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 Bell Hill Merlot and 2005 Bell Hill Merlot.
Julia Maxwell of Bell Hill was personally pouring the wine for the guests and giving as much information as she possibly could to the healthy-sized crowd.
There was an assortment of hors d’ordeuvres, both hot and cold, that complemented the wines very well. The sculpture and art work of Roderick Neswick was on display and the artist himself was in attendance. The band “Off the Hook” played very nicely but unobtrusively in the corner of the room.
The 2006 Bell Hill Merlot and the 2006 Bell Hill Cabernet Sauvignon were the wines making their debut, while the others were being offered to round out the flight.
I didn’t taste the High Valley Fume Blanc being offered because I have literally imbibed cases of it already at home (over the past couple years). I wasn’t going to sample it just for the free wine; I already know it’s good.
The Bell Hill 2006 Merlot tastes like a classic yet young Merlot, but you can taste a lot of hidden potential in it. So get a case and put it in the cellar for a few months while sampling a bottle from time to time.
The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon tastes like what you want a Cab to taste like. It had much stronger tannins than the Merlot and is likely to age quite well.
The 2004 Merlot forced in involuntary “Wow!” out of my lips as I was just about to sip it. The flavor of black fruits like blackberries, black cherries, and plums jumped at me, awaking my palate from the younger wines. When the time came to try the next wine I intentionally said I needed to try a glass of the 2004 Merlot (again).
The 2005 Merlot was also quite good, with a lot of berry flavors and a strong yet not overpowering finish. It went really well with the strong cheeses that were being served alongside.
Afterwards, we walked across the street and were lucky enough to get a table at the Blue Wing Saloon for a lovely dinner. The Arroncini appetizer is a must try.
Ross A. Christensen is an award-winning gardener and gourmet cook. He is the author of "Sushi A to Z, The Ultimate Guide" and is currently working on a new book. He has been a public speaker for many years and enjoys being involved in the community. Follow him on Twitter, http://twitter.com/Foodiefreak .
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .
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- Written by: Editor
The “Greening Your Business” workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the Scotia Inn, 100 Main St., Scotia.
Featured speakers will be Jonelle Tannahill, rural tourism program manager, California Travel &
Tourism Commission; Matt McCarron, California Department of Green Business; Tim Thornhill, Mendocino Wine Co./Parducci Wine Cellars; and Toni Tacoma, Eco Ring/ Eco-Tourism and Education.
Presented by California's North Coast Tourism Council, the workshop will discuss green ways to increase your bottom line.
The information you’ll hear will give you knowledge and confidence to become a green certified business. Come meet other business owners who have become a certified green business. Share
your questions at the interactive workshop, and take home resources that can directly benefit your business.
Inquire about the group's GeoTourism Web site launch gala on March 11 where you can meet Mike Fay, Explorer in Residence, National Geographic.
The workshop costs $25 for pre-registration or $35 at the door.
For more information call 800-525-3743.