Modesto's Silkwood Wines wins Best of Show award

Silkwood Wines of Modesto won the Best of Show award for red wines at the Denver International Wine Festival. The company topped the competition with its Satin and Silk VSPS, a 2007 petite sirah made from Stanislaus County grapes. Silkwood, owned by John Monnich, produces syrah, petite sirah and cabernet sauvignon.

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The Stanislaus County Agricultural Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for its 2012 inductee. Since 1997, the honor has gone to people and businesses that have made a mark in farm-related pursuits in the county and beyond. The induction will take place at a dinner that raises money for the National Ag Science Center, an interactive museum planned for Modesto Junior College. Nominations are due Dec. 21. They can be sent to info@agsciencecenter.org. More information is at (209) 521-2902.

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Reggie Knox has been named executive director of California FarmLink, a group that helps farmers get started and expand. Knox succeeds founder Steve Schwartz in leading FarmLink, which based in Santa Cruz and has a Modesto-area branch office. Knox had been director of field operations. His past work includes stints with the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and California Certified Organic Farmers.

To submit items about agribusiness, call (209) 578-2385, send a fax to (209) 578-2207, or send an e-mail to jholland@modbee.com.