Aldea to honor Shari and Garen Staglin

Aldea Children and Family Services will present the agency’s first Allen Ewig Award to Shari and Garen Staglin at its annual fundraising event April 5.

The Staglins founded the Music Festival for Mental Health in 1995 and have raised more than  $50 million to support mental health research and treatment throughout the United States, including support for Aldea’s services for young people in Napa.

    

Toni Allegra leaves wine writing symposium

Toni Allegra has resigned as director of the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, but will continue as a writing/career coach.

Jim Gordon, the editor of Wines & Vines and former editor of Wine Country Living and executive editor of the Wine Spectator, has accepted a part-time job as her successor.

    

Women for WineSense

The 2008 Women for WineSense grand event will highlight the best and brightest women in wine when it descends on Napa Valley May 2-4.

Held at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, this year’s weekend, “Celebrating Women in Wine” is hosted by 2008 honorary chair Michaela Rodeno, CEO of St. Supéry Winery.

    

Portfolio founder makes humanitarian effort  

More than 60 children and adults in Laos suffering from severe medical conditions have been helped by Napa’s Dr. Luc Janssens, co-founder of Portfolio Winery and president of the Lao Rehabilitation Foundation.

The work has been coordinated with Napa Valley plastic surgeon Dr. William McClure and the U.S.-based Plasticos Foundation. The trip was funded in part through the sale of large bottles of Portfolio Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon that totaled approximately $25,000.

The volunteer team conducted almost 100 free emergency surgeries on cleft lip, palate and severely burned adults and children.

Portfolio Winery was founded in Napa 10 years ago by artist and philanthropist Dr. Luc Janssens and his wife, Genevieve Janssens, director of winemaking for Robert Mondavi Winery.

Info, www.portfoliowinery.com.

    

Vinquiry seminars

Vinquiry will be holding its informative TCA threshold testing at its office in Napa April 21 and April 25 plus a mouthfeel seminar April 23 at Napa Hilton Garden Inn.

Info, www.vinquiry.com or 838-6312 or 687-2089.

    

13th annual Vineyard Economics Seminar

The 13th annual Vineyard Economics Seminar scheduled for May 19 at the Napa Valley Marriot is a must-attend event for members of the wine community.

The theme is “The Global Wine Business In 2008: How To Plan For Future Success.”

The cost is $325.

Info, 255-9222, e-mail events@winesymposium.com or www.winesymposium.com.

    

Calistoga to Tuscany …

The Calistoga Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a business and cultural exchange to Tuscany that departs Nov. 5.

The cost is $2,599 per person.

Info, 942-6333 or CalistogaChamber.com.