In addition to her work as a vintner and founder of Rocca Family Vineyards, a grocery store owner, Palace Market, a small grocery store in Point Reyes, wife and mother of four, Dr. Mary Rocca makes annual trips to Malawi in southeastern Africa, with her husband, Dr. Eric Grigsby, an Anesthesiologist and Pain Care Specialist. Mary and Eric started the HealthRoots Foundation in 1997 to provide health education and patient care in under-served areas of the United States and abroad, most recently in The Republic of Malawi in Southeast Africa where nearly 20 percent of the population is affected by the AIDS virus. It was selected as the Mayo Clinic’s Global Health Initiative last year, making it Mayo’s primary international focus. Their work involves educating caregivers and meeting with officials and organizations to advocate for palliative care within Malawi. On this trip they will be working with the Dae Yang Luke Hospital in Lilongwe, and also the Clinton Foundation which is very active in area. They are also teaming up with a non-profit called “Wired” to set up telecommunications channels which will allow them to educate caregivers and medical workers remotely. Mary is also working on establishing a dental office, and by year’s end there should be equipment in place that will allow volunteer dentists to go there and do work. Eric is the VP of the Mayo Alumni Association, and is one of the top pain management doctors in the country. http://roccawines.com/
In April 2009, Rocca Wines moved from their former Tasting Salon in downtown Napa to a Victorian home located just off Highway 29 in southern Napa. The home was originally built by General Vallejo for his daughter, and was used by Vallejo to host visiting dignitaries. It will soon serve as Rocca’s new tasting room and winemaking facilities. While the tasting portion is not yet open to the public, Mary and Eric encourage visitors to call to arrange a private tasting or tour. Rocca produces a Cabernet Sauvignon ($75) and Syrah ($45), as well as Bad Boy Red ($32), a blend of Bordeaux varietals from Rocca’s estate vineyards in Yountville and Coombsville. As Rocca Family Vineyards nears their eleventh harvest in 2009, Mary Rocca’s aspirations have since come true with an annual 2,000 case production of full-flavored, expressive, velvety smooth Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Yountville AVA. http://roccawines.com/
Paul Dolan, one of the founders of Mendocino Wine Company, Partner, Paul Dolan Vineyards and Parducci Wine Cellars is a leader in certified Biodynamic®, certified organic and certified sustainable farming and business practices. As a fourth-generation winemaker, farmer and father, Dolan seeks to leave the world in better condition for his children. The Green Winegrowing Handbook provides "an in-depth overview of green practices in the wine industry and a better understanding of how and why these practices contribute not only to the quality of wine but the health of our environment." We provide two links below: Read for free online or purchase a copy of The Green Winegrowing Handbook for $10.99.
Join wine critic, blogger and e-journalist Haydn Adams at CrushPad on August 6th at 'Sipping and Signing.' Sipping includes wines being poured by San Francisco Wine Association members Aver Vineyards, Damian Rae Winery, Mark Moretti Winery, and Ricardus Corculum Wines. Adams will be selling signed copies of his first book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley. In addition, he currently writes a monthly wine review column Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog, and co-instructs 'Wonders of Wine' class in Marin. Haydn's goal is to bring to light the "hidden gems" of the wine world. To sign up to attend 'Sipping and Signing' visit online VinVillage.com. http://www.beyondnapavalley.com/blog/
Hobbies and Enthusiasts
A to Z Show Listings
