Newsletter:  September 2006 a An interesting infill project is taking shape off Hearn Avenue just behind Mead Clark Lumber in Santa Rosa. At Blankiet Estate the beautiful stone work that covers the exterior walls is under construction. "The picnic is a lot of fun for the employees and their families," says Tom LeDuc, "it's great to see all of the kids having a good time."

Land of Victoria

Residential

The first floor framing is underway on the two-story homes at Land of Victoria. (click image to enlarge)

An interesting infill project is taking shape off Hearn Avenue just behind Mead Clark Lumber. Located off Victoria Drive is David Lee Court, a small cul-de-sac that has six single-family homes plus two duplexes, which can also be accessed off Hearn Avenue. This is the Land of Victoria subdivision built by Carco Homes.

These single story homes are across the cul-de-sac from the two-story homes. (click image to enlarge)

This is an entry-level homebuyers opportunity with single-story homes in the 1400 square foot range, two-story homes around 1700 square feet and the two duplexes at about 2200 square feet. All of the homes have attached two-car garages.

LeDuc & Dexter is the plumbing contractor and they have completed the under slab plumbing for all of the homes. All of the homes are in the framing stage of construction and the duplexes are ready for the footings and the slab to be poured. Carco is a long-time customer of LeDuc & Dexter.

The two duplexes with LeDuc & Dexter's under slab plumbing completed are ready to be poured. An entrance will access Hearn Avenue, which is in the background. (click image to enlarge)

A seven-foot sound wall will separate the new homes from Mead Clark Lumber. (click image to enlarge)

The eight residential structures are located in a heavily traveled area near the Corby Auto Mall, but with the speed limit just 35 miles per hour on Hearn the subdivision is relatively quiet. A seven-foot sound wall will be erected in the back of the development to shield the sound from Mead Clark Lumber, which is located just down the street from LeDuc & Dexter's office.

This is one of three projects that LeDuc & Dexter is working on within walking distance of their office. The other two commercial projects are the new Freeman Lexus dealership building on Corby Avenue and the Pacific Industrial Park mixed-use project on Wiljan Court.

Blankiet Estate Nearing Completion

Wineries

The stonework is going up on the exterior wall at Blankiet Estate. (click image to enlarge)

Last year at this time Blankiet Estate was getting ready to crush grapes at their new winery that was partially completed. This year they will be bringing in their second vintage at the picturesque setting that Blankiet provides in the hills of Yountville with a winery that is now nearing completion.

Because of the extended rainy season this spring the finishing touches are just now being applied to the boutique winery at Blankiet Estate. The beautiful stone work that covers the exterior walls is under construction. The wine caves, which are used for wine barrel storage, are completed and the interior of the tank room is being painted.

The wine caves used for barrel storage go into the hillside behind the winery. (click image to enlarge)

LeDuc & Dexter has completed the copper glycol piping that will cool the wine tanks. (click image to enlarge)

"We're done inside the winery," says Skip Caster, LeDuc & Dexter Journeyman Plumber, who was finishing up with the water storage tank system, a gravity-fed system that supplies water for the winery. LeDuc & Dexter installed a boiler system in the winery, all of the domestic plumbing for the restrooms and 11 hose stations for CO2 gas, hot and cold water and compressed air.

Schmitt & Company is the general contractor for Blankiet Estate. Schmitt & Company specializes in the construction of boutique wineries. They built Plump Jack Winery, and one-of-a-kind custom homes like the one they built for the owners of Blankiet Estate.

LeDuc & Dexter's Skip Caster checks the water pressure in the line coming down from the hilltop holding tank, which creates a gravity fed water system. (click image to enlarge)

At this time LeDuc & Dexter is also working on the completion of Merryvale Vineyards in the Carneros region of Napa County. They began construction of Merryvale, a 65,000 square foot wine-making facility, last fall and it will be ready for the crush of 2006. In contrast to Blankiet Estate, a boutique-sized facility with 11 hose stations, Merryvale Vineyards has 65 hose stations.

Company Picnic – Fiesta Style

The Company

LeDuc & Dexter management, employees, friends and families at the company picnic at Wikiup. (click image to enlarge)

The LeDuc & Dexter company picnic is one of the few times in the year when all of the employees get a chance to be together in a social setting. "Everybody is working on different construction sites – residential, commercial, fire sprinklers and service calls," says DeDe Singleton, Human Resources Manager at LeDuc & Dexter, "This is a chance for them to get together and have a good time with each other and their families."

130 people attended this year's picnic, which was held at the Wikiup Swim Club in Larkfield. The club has three swimming pools, one for swimming, one for diving, and a kid's pool. There is a large patio and barbeque area, tables with awnings, a basketball court and horseshoes. The picnic had a Fiesta theme for decorations and the food was catered.

Bill Zeeb, Commercial Manager (front left), and Tom LeDuc, President & CEO (right), enjoying their picnic meal. Next to Tom are Jim Kempers, Residential Manager, and his wife. (click image to enlarge)

Arturo Herrera (left), Art Dexter, Vice President & COO, and Martin Sigala share a laugh together. (click image to enlarge)

One of the highlights of the picnic is the raffle. 'We used to give out T-shirts, but for the last three years we've had the raffle and it's been a big hit," says DeDe, who has been organizing the picnic for the last six years.

Raffle prizes included two $150 gift certificates to the Santa Rosa Mall, $100 gift certificates for Safeway and Home Depot, $75 for Cattleman's, a $50 gas card and the most coveted prize, a year-round pass for a family of four to Marine World that includes parking. "I hold the bowl and Tom (LeDuc) and Arty (Dexter) pull out the winning tickets," says DeDe. "The picnic is a lot of fun for the employees and their families," says Tom LeDuc, "it's great to see all of the kids having a good time."

LeDuc & Dexter employees Rudy Miranda, Mike Musante, and Rich Hoaglund head for the chow line. (click image to enlarge)

Working off their meal with some basketball. (click image to enlarge)