The 2004 vintage produced some of the best-ever merlots in California, and Ronn Wiegand, MW and MS, will conduct a tasting and discussion of 12 of them, mostly from Napa Valley, on Tuesday at St. Supery Winery , 6:30-9 p.m.

The class will be presented under the auspices of the Culinary Arts Department of Napa Valley College.

Wiegand selected the wines to present a variety of styles and price points.

Cost of the class is $60.

Register through Napa Valley College or online at www.napavalley.edu/apps/ or at 253-3070, ext. 1301 or 1302, or 967-2900 ext. 1301 or 1302.

 Joel Gott Wines has promoted Alisa Jacobson to winemaker.  Jacobson has worked closely with Sarah Gott, who oversees winemaking, and has had the role of assistant winemaker for Joel Gott Wines since 2003.  Joel Gott Wines is based in St. Helena, Napa Valley, and is owned by Joel and Sarah Gott. 

Prior to joining Joel Gott Wines, Jacobson worked at Joseph Phelps Vineyards in Napa Valley, where she first met Sarah Gott, Phelps’ winemaker at the time, who became a mentor to Jacobson.  While earning her degree in viticulture and enology from UC Davis, Jacobson interned with Schramsberg in Napa Valley, Korbel in Sonoma County and worked harvest abroad in South Australia. 

“Alisa is a talented winemaker and has been a critical part of our winemaking success,” noted Sarah Gott.  “She is very deserving of greater recognition for her winemaking, and we are delighted to have her as our winemaker.”

Joel Gott Wines makes cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, zinfandel and syrah from top vineyards in Napa Valley and other regions of California.

Julien Fayard, who is French of origin, moved to Napa Valley a year-and-a-half ago. He started working with Phillippe Melka as  assistant winemaker on projects such as Marston Vineyards, Vineyard 29 and Lail Vineyards and is now the consulting winemaker for Ruston Vineyards, a small family producer of red wines located in St. Helena.

Earlier this year Fayard started his wine consulting business, Fayard Wines LLC. While working for Fayard Wines, Fayard is still actively working alongside Melka on specific projects.

Bart and Daphne Araujo of Araujo Estate Wines have announced changes in the Araujo Estate winemaking team.  Effective July 1, Francoise Peschon will assume the newly created position of consulting winemaker. Peschon first came to Araujo in 1993 as assistant winemaker, and was named winemaker in 1996, a title she has held ever since.

Matt Taylor, who joined Araujo Estate Wines in 2005 as vineyard manager and assistant winemaker, will become winemaker, assuming day-to-day winemaking responsibilities, as well as continuing to oversee vineyard operations.

Taylor’s winemaking resume includes harvests at Blake Family Vineyard, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand; Clos de Los Siete, Mendoza, Argentina; San Pedro de Yacochuya, Cafayate, Argentina; Domaine Dujac, Burgundy, France; and Joseph Swan, Forestville.

He received a post-baccalaureate degree in enology and viticulture from California State University, Fresno. 

Peschon will continue to work with Taylor, consulting enologist Michel Rolland and the Araujos to ensure ongoing quality control of the estate’s winemaking efforts, while devoting more time to her own label, Drinkward-Peschon, and to her family.