As a marketing scheme it is risky but evidently effective: Hang your hat on a premium product with a past so intriguing and at times dark that people will flock to your door. Or in the case of absinthe, to your distillery where you happily dispense limited quantities of the once-banned elixir to the devoted, the macabre, the well-heeled and the curious, all at a high price. In this case that works out to $75 for a 750ml bottle of the St. George Verte that is made in Alameda.

Bob Flook and Vic Vasquez have come up with a way to save money for vintners and save the environment at the same time.

Imagine a wine trade show without wine.

Napa Valley Vintners is sponsoring a Green Winery Workshop on Jan. 29 at the Solage Resort in Calistoga and will feature the launch of its new Green Certified Winery program.