California Ag Network

Category: Grape Industry

  • Two New Labor-Saving Raisin Varieties Show Promise for CA Growers

    Watch this brief interview with UC Viticulture Extension Specialist Matthew Fidelibus with an update on the performance of a couple of new labor-saving DOV raisin grape varieties that are showing a lot of promise for the industry.  Visit AmericanVineyardMagazine.com/calendar/ to get more information on a couple upcoming raisin industry meetings to provide growers the opportunity to check out these varieties for themselves.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.

  • Losing Freedom may be Positive When it Comes to this Grapevine Rootstock

    The thought of losing freedom sounds awful; however when it comes to the grapevine ‘Freedom’ rootstock, it may be a good idea, particularly for growers in the San Joaquin Valley.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor Karl Lund as he explains why and explores alternative options.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.

  • Lake County Winegrape Commission Announces Second Year of Pruning School

    The Lake County Winegrape Commission announced the continuation of Lake County Pruning School, which launched in December 2022 and sold out, benefiting more than 100 attendees. Presented in both English and Spanish, the immersive Lake County Pruning School is the first of its kind for a regional organization and was created in collaboration with Simonit & Sirch, the renowned grapevine pruning school with more than 30 years of research and experience, and a client list that includes some of the world’s preeminent vineyards.

    In early June, the Commission presented Momentum 2023, its annual grower seminar at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport, California and highlighted the first year of Lake County Pruning School. The event offered a detailed overview of the program and its benefits for attendees. The Pruning School segment started with Simonit & Sirch Master Pruners Jacopo Miolo and Jett Johansson providing an overview of the program, which comprises a theoretical introductory online lesson and three days of practical hands-on lessons in the vineyard — two days during the winter for vine pruning and one day during the spring for shoot thinning. The program provides in-depth fundamental principles applicable to all grapevine training systems, such as controlled branching, vascular flow, cuts and crown buds, and protective spare wood.

    Benefits of the program were discussed during a grower panel moderated by Jonathan Walters, Chair of the Lake County Winegrape Commission and General Manager of Brassfield Estate. The panel provided insights from five speakers, including Bruce Merrilees, Owner of Castilleja Farms LLC; Tony Medina, Ranch Foreman at Cache Creek Vineyards; Chris King, Vineyard Manager of Catspaw Vineyard; as well as Miolo and Johansson of Simonit & Sirch. The panel was followed by a practical demonstration held by Jennifer Thomson from FELCO, who showcased the company’s brand new cordless electric pruning shears.

    “We are thrilled with the success of the first edition and look forward to enhancing next year’s classes with Simonit & Sirch” says Debra Sommerfield, President of the Lake County Winegrape Commission. “The delivery of classes in both English and Spanish allows us to meet the educational needs of all vineyard workers and we’ll continue with this approach for the next edition.”

    Lake County Pruning School is designed for vineyard owners, vineyard supervisors and crew leaders, and experienced vineyard workers. Each class enables one-on-one learning and an opportunity to exchange ideas and techniques with others in the cohort.

    Footage of the Momentum event can be found on the LCWC website.

    2023-2024 Lake County Pruning School registration is coming soon. Spots can be reserved by emailing Lake County Winegrape Commission at events@lakecountywinegrape.org

  • Delano Growers Take Stand Against Foreign Grape Juice Imports

    Watch this brief video highlighting the recent success of Delano Growers Grape Products cooperative in protecting the US white grape juice market from Argentinian imports that were having adverse effects on US growers.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.

  • PD/GWSS Winegrape Assessment set at $1.25 for 2023 Harvest

    To continue funding crucial research combating winegrape pests and diseases, the Pierce’s Disease/Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board kept the PD/GWSS Winegrape Assessment rate at $1.25 per $1,000 value for the 2023 harvest.

    The Board ensures grower funds are utilized wisely and productively to support the development of innovative solutions to PD, GWSS, and seven additional designated winegrapes pests and diseases. The 2023 assessment is expected to bring in an estimated $5.0 million. View the full list of pests and diseases online at bit.ly/3qSSPQ8.

    “As the PD/GWSS Board, our responsibility lies in protecting the interests of the winegrape industry and promoting its long-term sustainability,” said PD/GWSS Board Chair William Drayton. “The PD/GWSS assessment allows us to effectively allocate resources towards comprehensive research efforts, enabling leading scientists to tackle the ever-evolving challenges posed by pests and diseases.”

    The assessment has averaged $1.35 per $1,000 of value and has collected $83.1 million since 2001. The Board advises the California Department of Food and Agriculture on the best use of assessment funds, with $55 million invested in 282 research grants.

    The Board has been at the forefront of safeguarding the California winegrape industry against devastating threats since winegrape growers passed the first PD/GWSS Referendum in 2000. The PD/GWSS Referendum is conducted every five years and will take place again in 2025. Learn more about Board-funded research, including a list of current research projects, at bit.ly/3w27mtc.

  • Wine Shipment Slump Indicates Market Correction Ahead

    Although prices have been up, largely due to inflation, California wine shipments are down significantly to a level which has not been seen in decades. But, why the slump in shipments and what will this mean for the California wine market in the near future? Watch this brief interview with Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter to find out, and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.

  • Newly Identified Aspergillus Vine Canker Afflicting California Vineyards

    As if there weren’t enough trunk diseases impacting California vineyards, UC Davis Plant Pathologist Akif Eskalen has been researching a newly identified disease causing a canker on the trunk of grapevines accompanied by fruit disease/sour rot symptoms. Watch this brief interview with Akif, and read more about it disease management in American Vineyard Magazine

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.

  • Delano Growers Grape Products Hails Agreement between U.S. and Argentina on White Grape Juice

    Delano Growers Grape Products cooperative announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has signed an agreement with the Government of Argentina suspending the Department’s antidumping investigation, and an agreement with Argentine exporters suspending the countervailing duty investigation on white grape juice concentrate from Argentina.  In lieu of  potential antidumping and countervailing duties, the agreements would apply an annual export limit and minimum selling prices for imports from Argentina.

    Commerce initiated these investigations after a petition was filed by Delano Growers on March 21, 2022.  Rick Lord, General Manager, said, “We are very pleased with this outcome, and believe that the suspension agreements achieve several important objectives for the good of the industry, our co-op members, other grape growers and, importantly, our customers and all users of white grape juice concentrate.”

    White grape juice concentrate is a valuable natural sweetener used by beverage and food manufacturers and made from the crushing and processing of grapes into a high brix (sugar) content concentrate.  In 1993, two researchers from U.C. Davis published an article in the California Agriculture Journal which stated, “Grape concentrate is a growing market, thanks to an innovative industry and consumer preference for fruit sweeteners over table sugar,” further noting that “The International Trade Centre (ITC) has concluded that the fruit juice business will remain a growth industry for a long time.”  In the late 1990s, U.S. production was approximately 30 million gallons, however, in the years preceding the Delano Grower’s petition, production had dropped to less than 8 million gallons.  Delano Growers is the largest remaining commercial producer in the U.S.

    Kent Stenderup, a grape grower in Arvin, California, Chairman of Delano Growers’ Board of Directors said, “White grape juice concentrate is a vitally important product for grape growers.  Processing  grapes into juice concentrate provides an important economic stabilizer for the California grape industry.  In addition to providing a market for dedicated juice grapes, it also absorbs a supply of other grapes which provides a positive return to growers.  We are delighted with these suspension agreements.”

    By setting reasonable and market driven volume and selling prices for imports from Argentina in lieu of potential duties, these agreements also allow any preliminary cash deposits collected as a result of the preliminary findings of the investigation to be refunded to current U.S. importers.

    According to Lord, “These agreements ensure that the U.S. market for white grape juice concentrate will remain adequately supplied since they reflect recent historical levels and are also structured to be flexible for unforeseen adverse market conditions.  It is a win-win situation.”

    Lord continued, “This is a big milestone for a small co-op.  The U.S. Department of Commerce has a total of only eight suspension agreements in place, with two of them now being for white grape juice concentrate.”

    The petition was filed on behalf of Delano Growers by JPH Law, LLC, of Washington, D.C., a firm specializing in the representation of cooperatives, growers and agricultural associations in policy, regulatory, labor and international trade matters.  “We are indebted to our counsel,” said Stenderup.  He continued, “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Department of Commerce’s Compliance and Enforcement division for facilitating these agreements and their dedication to enforcing U.S. trade law.  “Finally, we’d like to acknowledge the good faith negotiations during the agreement process by the Argentine industry and the Government of Argentina.”

    About Delano:  Delano Growers Grape Products is a cooperative of grape farmers that serves California’s Central Valley. We manufacture the highest quality white grape concentrate products for the food and beverage industry. Since 1940, Delano has placed a focus on innovation and sustainability with a mission to deliver the best products available. Delano Growers Grape Products

    Department of Commerce press release:  U.S. Commerce Department Reaches Suspension Agreements with Argentina on White Grape Juice Concentrate (trade.gov)

  • California Table Grape Growers Award Scholarships

    Fresno, CA – California table grape growers announce the awarding of scholarships to nine high-achieving students.

    Growers awarded three $25,000 field worker scholarships to students attending four-year universities. Two $14,500 bridge field worker scholarships were also awarded to students attending community college for two years then transferring to a four-year university. In order to qualify for a field worker scholarship, the applicant, parent, or guardian must work in the California table grape harvest.

    Growers also awarded two $25,000 agricultural scholarships and one $14,500 agricultural bridge scholarship to students pursuing a degree in a field of study pertinent to table grapes.

    Meet the 2023 California Table Grape scholarship recipients below.

    $25,000 Field Worker Scholarships

    Ms. Victoria Martinez graduated from Mira Monte High School in Bakersfield, California with a 4.22 GPA and will attend the University of California, Santa Barbara to study psychology. While attending Mira Monte, Victoria was a member of the Academic Decathlon, soccer team, and Spanish Club. Victoria was also an avid church volunteer and spent her summers working alongside her parents picking table grapes.

    Mr. Roberto Ramirez, Jr. graduated from Cesar E. Chavez High School in Delano, California with a 4.40 GPA and will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to major in agricultural business. Throughout high school, Roberto was an active member of the ASB and Spanish Club where he organized community events and was a member of the school band. Roberto is inspired by his father’s long career in the table grape industry and hopes to become a farm manager after college.

    Mr. Gael Quinoez graduated from Delano High School in Delano, California with a 4.09 GPA and will attend California State University, Bakersfield to major in engineering. Gael was an active member of his school Service Club where he volunteered with the community. Gael also spent his free time as a member of the Chess Club, Gardening Club, and Math Club. With his degree, Gael hopes to achieve a career in engineering.

    $14,500 Bridge Field Worker Scholarships

    Ms. Estefania Andrade-Meza graduated from Harmony Magnet Academy in Strathmore, California with a 3.95 GPA and will attend College of the Sequoias to major in animal science. In school, Estefania was a member of the California Scholarship Federation, Dance Club, and served as a teacher’s assistant. Estefania was also placed on the school President’s List and received the California State Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. Estefania has a passion for animals and a career goal of becoming a veterinarian.

    Ms. Aaliyah Mendoza graduated from Golden Valley High School in Bakersfield, California with a 3.61 GPA and will attend Bakersfield College to persue a career as a physical therapy assistant. In school, Aaliyah participated in the Career Technical Education Center Sports Medicine Program and earned a physical thereapy internship. Aaliyah was also a member of the community service Interact Club and a member of the track and cross country teams. Aaliyah hopes to improve the lives of others by achieving a career in physical therapy.

    $14,500 Agricultural Bridge Scholarship

    Mr. Jonathan Callison graduated from Tulare Western High School in Tulare, California with a 4.13 GPA and will attend Reedley College to study plant science. Throughout high school, Jonathan was involved in FFA and was a member of the grapevine pruning team for four years. Jonathan also played varsity water polo and baseball, and was a team captain in both sports. Jonathan draws inspiration from his family’s six generations in agriculture and watching his dad work in the vineyards.

    $25,000 Agricultural Scholarships

    Mr. Mark Kovacevich graduated from Bakersfield Christian High School in Bakersfield, California with a 3.95 GPA and will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to major in wine and viticulture. Mark was an active member of FFA and served as the chapter and sectional president, and earned his California State FFA degree. From shadowing his father and uncle in the fields, Mark has developed a passion for the table grape industry. In the summer of 2022, Mark managed the table grape harvest on one of his family’s ranches.

    Ms. Carley Raven graduated from Kingsburg High School, in Kingsburg, California with a 4.12 GPA and will attend the University of California, Berkley in the fall. At Berkeley, Carley plans to major in nutritional sciences to study the nutritional value of grapes in sports nutrition. Throughout high school, Carley was a member of her school softball team and earned an FFA greenhand and chapter degree. Carley grew up on a table grape ranch and spent her summers assisting her family in the table grape harvest.

    Mr. Anthony Tartaglia, Jr. graduated from Central Valley Christian School in Visalia, California with a 3.85 GPA and will attend California State Univeristy, Fresno in the fall. Anthony was a member of his school baseball and football teams and a lifetime California Scholarship Federation member. Anthony was also a member of the Tulare County Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Cohort and an active member of FFA, serving as a chapter officer. From a young age, Anthony has worked alongside his father in the vineyard, and is excited to bring his education to the table grape industry after college.

  • Dry Creek Vineyard Founder David S. Stare Receives ‘Wine Lifetime Achievement Award’ At Castate Fair

    Dry Creek Vineyard is proud to announce that the California State Fair honored Sonoma County wine pioneer David S. Stare as the recipient of their “Wine Lifetime Achievement Award” during yesterday’s ceremony. Stare is one of two recipients for the 2022 year alongside legendary wine writer Bob Thompson, as the State Fair Advisory has recognized multiple industry experts across award categories due to delayed events during the pandemic.

    Coming west in the late 1960s with little more than a dream to start his own winery, David Stare is the original innovator of present-day Dry Creek Valley.

    “It was 1971, and I was studying winemaking at UC Davis during the week and searching for vineyard property on the weekends. It was on one of those visits that I discovered the Dry Creek area and immediately fell in love,” said Stare.

    As the first new winery in the Dry Creek Valley following Prohibition, Dry Creek Vineyard has become the flagship producer of Fumé Blanc and Zinfandel in Sonoma County. Over the last 51 years, the winery has also developed an international reputation for its Dry Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Bordeaux varietals and Meritage blends, continuing to craft classically styled, terroir-driven, appellation-focused wines.

    Stare’s pioneering legacy reflects his lasting impact. Among the many achievements during his career, Stare was:

    • First to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the Dry Creek Valley in 1972.
    • First to produce a Fumé Blanc in Sonoma County.
    • First to initiate the appellation status for the Dry Creek Valley in 1983.
    • First to label a wine with the Dry Creek Valley appellation.
    • Ranked among California’s first proponents of Bordeaux-style blending.
    • First to release a wine using the classification of “Meritage” (1985 vintage) on the label to classify Dry Creek Vineyard’s Bordeaux-style blend.
    • First to champion Zinfandel among world-class vinifera.
    • First to coin the term “Old Vines” Zinfandel, beginning with the 1985 vintage.

    The journey to establish Dry Creek Valley as a premier winegrowing region was never easy, but David Stare remained persistent in his vision despite skepticism from agricultural critics.

    “All along the way, I was told that my ideas had never been done before. Being a kid from Boston, I was just bullheaded enough to do what I wanted to do,” said Stare. “I am so proud that Dry Creek Vineyard remains one of the last truly private, family-owned, iconic wineries from Sonoma County consistently producing 90-plus point wines!”

    Stare’s work extends far beyond the five-decades-old family winery. As a community leader, he has served as President of the Society of Blancs, President of the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley and President of the Sonoma County Wineries Association, as well as serving on the board of directors of the California Wine Institute. He was recently honored with Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s “American Wine Legend” award as well in 2022.

    With a passion for philanthropy, Stare continues to serve as the Board Chairman for Global Partners of Development, initiating Vineyards to Villages in 2012, a program that raises money from the wine industry to bring clean water to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. His family winery Dry Creek Vineyard continues to pave the way to an innovative future, led by the second generation and Stare’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace.

    Established in 1972 by David S. Stare, Dry Creek Vineyard is Dry Creek Valley’s flagship winery located in the heart of Sonoma County, California. This premier, family-owned winery is celebrating 50 years of winemaking and is led by the second generation. Dave’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, serves as President overseeing a successful family winemaking and grape growing business that includes 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards. Named a Top 100 Winery by Wine & Spirits Magazine and a Top 10 Tasting Room by USA TODAY, the winery is also 100% Certified Sustainable. Dry Creek Vineyard proudly produces delicious Dry Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Meritage blends as well as a portfolio of single vineyard selections. To learn more, visit www.drycreekvineyard.com. Connect with Dry Creek Vineyard on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.