The Napa Valley Conference and Visitor Bureau has a new board and CEO that for the first time combines influential Upvalley wine and hospitality representatives with those from Napa itself.

The new chairman is Jack Cakebread, one of the valley’s most respected vintners and the new vice chairman is restaurateur and entrepreneur Michael Chiarello, while George Goeggel of Auberge du Soleil has also joined, along with Terry Hall of Napa Valley Vintners, Ann Marie Conover of Meadowood and Charles Henning of the CIA.

Kate King of the Napa Chamber of Commerce and Brian Kelly of Charter Oak Bank, the sparkplug behind the changes, are Napa representatives.

Jeri Gill, former head of community affairs at the Napa Valley Vintners, is the new interim CEO.

Napa Valley’s visitor bureau has a budget of only $300,000, compared to $1.7 million in Santa Barbara, $2.5 million in Monterey, and $3.5 million in Sonoma.

The revitalized group, however, is still not promoting mass tourism, but selective: people willing and able to spend freely and stay a few days, not just bop in for a cheap day of wine tastings.

The visitor’s bureau has already settled on a new tag line for its promotion, “The Napa Valley: Legendary,” and has unveiled a new Web site that even includes a social networking option.

    

Sushi-Yu open in American Canyon

Sushi-Yu Japanese restaurant has opened in American Canyon across from Safeway. It’s quite large and features small boats that float by with sushi to grab.

Also, the Olive Garden is advertising for a restaurant manager in American Canyon. It already has a location in Vallejo. Olive Garden sells a lot of wine by offering patrons samples and making it easy for them to enjoy it.

    

Silverado Growers buy upper Kirkland Ranch

Napa’s Silverado Wine Growers has bought one of the largest undeveloped pieces of ranch land in Napa Valley.

It contains 2,200 acres north of Kirkland Ranch Winery, only part of which will be planted in wine grapes.

Silverado has owned an adjacent 480-acre parcel planted with 200 acres of vines for more than 10 years.

The Kirkland Ranch Winery itself was not part of the transaction but was recently put up for sale through International Wine Associates of Healdsburg.

The group also bought the 330-acre Diamond Oaks Vineyard in Carneros from Dinesh Maniar, who also owns the old La Famiglia Winery on Oakville Grade.

It also acquired two properties in Monterey from Vintage Wine Trust, which is liquidating.

Grapegrowers move to historic building

The Napa Valley Grapegrowers has moved to 1795 Third St. in Napa.

Representing more than 500 members, the NVG has actively expanded its programs and services during the past four years, resulting in the need for dedicated space to host forums on all aspects of premium and sustainable winegrape growing.

Get more information at www.napagrowers.org or 944-8311.

E-mail news to paul@napalife.com.