Movers & Shakers: Business news from around the Valley

‘Sunset’ sets opening weekend, a new magazine in town, wine industry appointments and more.|

Sunset sets grand opening date…

Sunset magazine has announced that its formal move-in celebration weekend at Cornerstone Gardens will be May 14 and 15. Visitors will be able to tour the magazine's outdoor test kitchen, meet writers and celebrity chefs, attend seminars on home/travel/food and garden and to tour extensive test gardens (which are billed as 12 times larger than at Sunset's existing facility).

New magazine launched in

Sonoma Valley…

The new magazine, Evoke, released its first issue last week. The photo-rich magazine celebrates 'vintage style for contemporary living.' Based out of First Street West, the magazine is a labor of love for Morgan Jane Miller and her husband and partner, Bill Miller.

You can pick up a copy at Chateau Sonoma or order it online at evokemagazine.com.

New tasting room in Glen Ellen…

Kivelstadt Cellars has opened a new tasting room and tap room in Glen Ellen at 13750 Arnold Drive. Nancy Kivelson and Tom Angstadt purchased Kivelstadt Vineyard in 2005 and the operation is now run by Jordan Kivelstadt (winemaker), Alex Pomerantz and Connor Ross. kivelstadtcellars.com

New posts in the wine biz…

Vanessa Robledo has been named CEO of Mi Sueño Winery. She is a fourth-generation grape grower who formerly headed up Robledo Family Winery. Last year, she was named 'Woman of the Year' by the Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Marin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Mi Sueño Winery sells around 10,000 cases a year from 40 acres of vines in Napa and Sonoma counties.

Ken Zuhasz, owner and winemaker of Auteur Wines, has been elected board president of Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance.

Other board officers elected include Alan Ross, Bill Hooper and Lauren Benward Krause. Other new board members are Prema Behan, Steven Sangiacomo and Jonny Weston.

Jeff Zappelli has been appointed general manager of WALT Wines, the Sonoma-based pinot noir and chardonnay brand owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall.

La Prenda Vineyards Management owner Ned Hill and Matt Stornetta, operations manager, have hired Bob Royce as the first national sales representative for Sonoma Collection District 3 wines. (sonomawinegrowers.com).

Royce has 40 years experience in the ultra-premium wine category.

La Prenda also announced that its Sonoma Collection District 3 2013 Red Blend has been selected by Wine Business Monthly as one of the '2015 Top 10 Hot Brands.'

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