Celite Corp. story source correction

A story about layoffs at Celite Corporation’s Lompoc facility in the local news briefs section of the Feb. 7-13 edition of the Santa Ynez Valley Journal incorrectly cited Corporate Counsel Jim Kuykendall as the source of statements about the company. In fact, the Journal’s reporter never spoke with Kuykendall. The story also attributed statements to a press release issued on behalf of the company by Mr. Kuykendall in January. While some of the statements are identical to language in the press release, the Valley Journal had not received a copy of it before the story was written. Other information that the story implied had come from the press release went beyond the matters covered by the release, although that information was, and is, believed to be correct. We regret the sourcing error and offer our apologies to our readers and to Mr. Kuykendall.

 

Parent company expands

Williams Advanced Materials Inc. of Buffalo, N.Y., owners of Thin Film Technology Inc. of Buellton, a producer of precision optical coatings, thin film hybrid circuits, and highly engineered thin film coatings and services, announced Feb. 4 that it has acquired the assets of Techni-Met, Inc., a privately held company based in Windsor, Conn. The $90 million transaction, involving two leased facilities and 45 employees, is being financed with proceeds from the company’s $240 million revolving line of credit, as well as internally generated cash.

WAM purchased the Buellton firm in 2005 and has since acquired a new precision cleaning and reconditioning services facility in the Czech Republic, an operations and services center near Shanghai, China, and CERAC, a provider of specialty inorganic materials, based in Milwaukee, Wis. WAM manufactures precious, non-precious and specialty metal products at its facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. Major markets for WAM’s products include magnetic data storage, wireless, semiconductor, photonics, medical sensors, and key applications of the microelectronics markets.

 

Hitching Post releases Merlots

Thanks to the hit movie “Sideways,” Pinot Noir experienced a boom in sales of 16 percent within three months after the movie was released, according to ACNielsen, a marketing research firm. The movie also had an effect on sales of Merlot. In response to the movie’s depiction of Merlot, Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini, owners of the Hitching Post Restaurant in Buellton, announced they are releasing two new Merlots on Feb. 22, the 2004 Westerly Vineyard and the 2005 Alisos Vineyard. In June they expect to release their 2006 Merlot Santa Barbara County, a blend from McGinley Vineyard in Happy Canyon and Alisos Vineyard in Los Alamos.

“Merlot has always been an under-appreciated grape in Santa Barbara, and the slam from the movie didn’t help matters,” Hartley said.

Hartley and Ostini began making Merlot in 1979. They now produce a dozen varieties of Pinots, as well as a Syrah and a Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend.

Harley, in a press release, said Santa Barbara Merlot has improved in recent years “as growers have learned the right ways to grow Merlot, and have planted it in appropriate locations that are warmer than the coastal valleys that do so well with Pinot Noir.” Ostini added, “Santa Barbara Merlot offers a great price to wine-quality ratio. This kind of value is typical of undiscovered gems until they are found by the masses. Hitching Post Winery is proud to offer such a fine wine at a price that represents great value. We are bullish on Merlot!”

Hitching Post Winery will debut its Merlot in Miami, Fl., on Feb. 22 at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s Burger Bash. Hitching Post representatives will grill hamburgers over an oak-wood fire, and serve them with their signature French fries and Hitching Post Merlot.

Ostini explained that “Merlot, with its mild tannins and juicy fruitiness, is a perfect match to the smoky flavors of outdoor grilling. I can’t think of a better wine to drink when barbecue season comes around this summer. We’ll definitely be drinking Merlot!”

Hitching Post Merlot will be available at the Wine Cask’s annual Santa Barbara Futures Tasting on April 12, featuring award-winning wines from the region. The Merlot wines may be purchased at the restaurant in Buellton, or on the internet at www.HPwines.com.

 

Lake noted as “getaway”

MotorHome Magazine, a national publication for recreational vehicle enthusiasts, has named Lake Cachuma as one of its “Great Getaways” in its February issue. The magazine highlighted fishing at the lake, which includes catfish, smallmouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, trout and red ear perch, and reviews the area’s other amenities, such as the campgrounds, lake cruises, hiking trails, golf, and local flora and fauna.

The article also listed fishing derbies at the lake and fishing classes for all ages, including the Annual Seniors’ Fishing Workshop, set for March 15 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information about the free workshop, contact cinatctr@sbceo.org.

 

Michaels joints Terravant

Darren Michaels has been named lab director for all laboratory services at Terravant Wine Company, the new alternating-premise and custom-crush winery in Buellton.

Michaels will focus on comprehensive analytical and enological services while building a state-of-the-art wine laboratory.

“Our lab at the Terravant Wine Center will provide a responsive, full-service, based on enological testing and research,” Michaels said in a press release.

“I want our clients to feel that we are more than just a testing facility, but also a partner in their success, and will share our thoughts and guidance on any winemaking subject.

Our lab will be proactive, energetic, and communicative, and I look forward to continuing to being a part of our close-knit community of wine makers.”

Michaels formerly worked at the Central Coast office of Vinquiry, where he managed all laboratory services and provided support for a wide range of winemaking products.

For several years he helped build Vinquiry’s reputation as the primary source of quality products and laboratory services across Central and Southern California.

Prior to Vinquiry, Michaels worked as a wine chemist at Trinchero Family Estates, the owners of such wineries as Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Montevina, and Napa Cellars.

At Trinchero, Michaels helped maintain the quality of the wine produced under all of the Trinchero labels, up to 12 million cases a year.

As a biochemistry student at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Michaels completed work on the browning and ripening enzymes of fruit.

After graduation, he joined the Immunology Department of Scripps Research Institute, where he focused on instrument-based production of antibodies for vaccine research against HIV, Hanta, and Ebola viruses.

His work at Scripps enabled researchers to explore theories of viral challenge and search for new avenues of vaccine research.

Terravant Wine Company will open for production in spring of 2008 and is currently providing case good and barrel storage and other services at its facility located at 70 Industrial Way in Buellton.

Reservations for winemaking space are available for the 2008 crush.

Local breeders receive awards

Marty and Pam Wygod, owners of River Edge Farm, Buellton, received three breeder awards Feb. 18, during the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s awards dinner in Pasadena. At the ceremony it was noted that the Wygods were leading breeders in money earned.

Bertrando, their stallion, led the general progeny earnings list, while the leading sire in income of 2-year-olds, their stallion Tribal Rule, also received a top award.

 

Beware of two scams

Taxpayers need to beware of telephone and e-mail scams, according to a press release from the International Revenue Service.

The scams could continue through the end of the tax-return season as identity thieves seek to trick individuals into revealing personal and financial information, such as bank account numbers.

The release said typically the thieves use personal data to acquire services, benefits, loans and cash.

The phone scam includes a caller saying they are from the IRS and that if the victim files early, they will be eligible for a sizable rebate.

Another phone scam says that an IRS employee is calling because a check has not been cashed and they need to verify the individual’s bank account number.

E-mail scams claim the recipients are eligible for a tax refund and that they should access a refund claim form that then gives the thieves personal information when it is returned.

A second e-mail scam claims the recipient is being audited and asks for a completed form to be returned with personal information.

The press release said persons wishing to access the IRS website should not click on a link in an e-mail or attachment but should type in www.irs.gov on their browser instead.

Those who have received questionable e-mails and phone calls should contact the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.