June 28, 2007

Winemaker returns to his Fullerton roots
From mountain highs to cellar lows, Jeff Mathy faces the challenges of success.

BARBARA GIASONE
NEWS TRIBUNE COLUMNIST

It may have been fortuitous that Jeff Mathy formulated a “from scratch” wine-making operation for his agriculture business project at Fullerton Union High School in 1996.

This spring, Mathy and his longtime friend, Karl Lehmann, launched Vellum Wine Craft – a start-up winery in the Napa Valley that will feature special grapes from Napa, and production and style techniques used in Bordeaux, France.

“The high school report is probably what planted the seed for my future,” said Mathy, who returned to Fullerton this month to share his plans and opportunities for investors at a gathering in the home of his parents, Bill and Robin.

Mathy’s career plans soared after he graduated from UC Davis and climbed six of the world’s seven highest summits – no small feat for a man who enjoys challenges.

In 2003, Mathy was hired to work as a “cellar rat” for Ravenswood Winery in Napa. It was there he met Lehman and the two forged a common bond while elbow-deep in wine.

“We crushed grapes, monitored the wine while it was fermenting and orchestrated the process of moving the barrels,” Mathy said. “The winery was producing 1 million cases of wine annually, mainly zinfandel.”

Eventually, the pair decided to apply their newly found skills to a business plan that would focus on quality rather than quantity. According to their vision, $445,000 in capital from private investors would fund two years of production costs, building the foundation of Vellum. Revenues and sustaining profits would begin in the third year of production.

In 2006, the winemakers decided the timing was right to move forward. They met with small grape grower firms, rented space in a custom crushing facility and resolved to produce 750 cases by 2009. And they ordered 42 French oak barrels at $1,000 each.

The plan is to sell to restaurants and retail shops.

Asked how he compares the challenge of climbing mountain peaks to starting a business, Mathy said: “To reach the peak of success, it takes patience to see it all come together without an infrastructure. It takes a lot of little steps to climb to the end point.”

To read about Vellum, log on to www.vellumwines.com.

RESIDENT TAKES A SPIN ON ‘WHEEL OF FORTUNE’

For years, Fullerton resident Laura Booth has watched television’s popular “Wheel of Fortune,” hoping someday to spin the wheel and walk away with thousands of dollars.

Her dream was fulfilled this spring when quick thinking and lucky spins led to $10,150 in cash, plus trips to Spain and

Hawaii – totaling $23,000.

The trip to the wheel, however, wasn’t so speedy.

Chronicling her way to the big payoff, Booth, 43, said it all started in April 2006 when she and 2,000 applicants spent 2.5 hours at Casino Morongo playing a mock version of the game and parading their personalities for the judges.

“Ten weeks later, I was notified to join 99 other people at a hotel in Culver City for a written test after which 60 people would be eliminated,” Booth said.

At the third audition, Booth was told she was a finalist. And in October 2006, she reported as a stand-by contestant, sitting through an entire day of taping without being called.

Finally, on Dec. 14, the show scheduled for airing in May, was taped.

“I was on the sixth taping of the day,” Booth said. “Every audience was different. Vanna White was so down-to-earth and Pat Sajak was so personable.”

It wasn’t the first time Booth had a lucky streak.

In 1990, she appeared with Alex Trebek on the game show “Concentration.” She won $10,000 in prizes including a trip to Fiji, jewelry, a bowling ball, a refrigerator and patio furniture.

On hand to cheer her latest winnings were husband, Brad, and daughter, Ashley, a student at El Dorado High School.
“Now I’d like to try for ‘Amazing Race,’” Booth said.

NCL CELEBRATES NEW LEADERS

National Charity League, Fullerton Chapter recently held its annual installation luncheon to honor new officers, new members and members with the most community service hours for the past year.

Chapter President Jo-Anne Matsuba handed her gavel to incoming President Marlene McGlensey.

Under Matsuba’s leadership, the Patroness mothers of the mother/daughter community service organization gave 3,971 philanthropy hours. Debbie Burgess was recognized with the most hours, 91, and Matsuba for the most league hours, 553.

Patronesses delivered more than 1,200 Meals on Wheels, while Diana Bock was singled out for delivering 25.

NEW GROUP OF LEADERS FOR PROBUS CLUB

Probus Club, an organization of retired and semi-retired professional and business people, recently elected officers for the 2007-08 year.

President Wayne Smith Jr., will be assisted by Jack Pickering, treasurer; Dick Canevari, membership; Lloyd McFarlane, grand golf; Dave Hardy, senior golf; John Pinson, bridge; and Wally Brede, marathon bridge.

More are: Tom Brant, hospitality; Paul Durning, program; Maxine Broderick, evening out; Dick Fixa, special events; Don Hicks, entertainment books; Hal Koenig, director at large; and Dale Schumacher, secretary/editor.

STUDENTS GET HELP WITH SCHOOLING

The PEO Chapter Y of Fullerton has announced that four students from Fullerton College will receive scholarships to help further their education.

Recipients are Erica Simpson, who will complete her Child Development studies at Cal State Fullerton, as will Cheri Thomkins and Yvonne Uranga. Marlia Igarta may continue in her native Hawaii or at CSF.

Jo Ann Brannock, president of the Cherami Scholarship Foundation, announced the names of students who received educational scholarships to begin their university experience. The local winners are Angela Kim, Tony Duy Le and Laetitia Troung, Sunny Hills High School; Thu Anh Bui, Hee Yeong Kim, Cristian Bueno Correa and Luis Liang, Buena Park High; Breana Donaldson, Sonora High; and David Kim, Troy High.

PIANIST TO TICKLE THE IVORIES AT BENEFIT

Piano prodigy Shawn Wright, whose parents own China Village on State College Boulevard in Fullerton, will be a featured artist at the “Reunion” concert Aug. 10 and 11 at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center.

The 7 p.m. event brings together The Lettermen and Marilyn King of the King Sisters, who all got their start in the 1960s. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Bear Valley Community Health Care District. Tickets range from $31 to $51. The Center is at 39707 Big Bear Blvd. Information: 909-866-4970.

Barbara Giasone is a 33-year resident of Fullerton. Reach her at 714-704-3762.