With grapevine red blotch disease widespread across the west, what’s a grower to do with a young or old vineyard that contracts this disease? How does it impact grape yield and quality and are there ways to mitigate the detrimental effects of this disease? Watch this brief interview with the new UCCE San Joaquin County Viticulture Advisor Justin Tanner to find out.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
While the wine grape industry is a few steps ahead in vineyard mechanization, the table grape industry has made some recent advancements in options for mechanized pruning that can help growers save on labor costs and speed up what can be a tedious process of winter pruning. Watch this brief interview with Kern County UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor Tian Tian to learn more, and be sure to read the new Table Grape Tasks column in American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
On March 24, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) launched a brand-new professional development program – a Women’s Leadership Workshop – focused on supporting new and aspiring female supervisors. The one-day workshop at Napa Valley College supported a full classroom of 40 supervisors from winery and vineyard management businesses across the Napa Valley.
“It’s important for women to know their avenues of growth, and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation was the perfect space to share this information,” said Mary Maher, director of company culture for Silverado Farming Company and president for the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, “Women are hungry for these opportunities, and to be at the workshop, watching shy women feel comfortable raising their hands…it was inspiring.”
The morning began with a panel featuring highly regarded senior supervisors, Dolores Torres of Harlan Estate, Carina de la Cruz of Renteria Vineyard Management, and Celia Perez of V.Sattui Winery, and Daniela Bazán of Bazán Vineyard Management moderated. The panelists shared their career experiences, their love for the industry, and advice for newly appointed supervisors, which included meaningful mentorship, job challenges, and the qualities that led to their success. Dolores Torres counseled, “We grow stronger when we can teach those who come to us. By teaching them, we open doors. We strive together and we achieve together.”
Erika Velazquez with Pan American Insurance followed the panel with a presentation on why Women Make Great Supervisors. She set the tone by acknowledging that agriculture has historically been a male dominated world, but today, women, and especially women of color, have new opportunities; they are trailblazers in agriculture. Their communication skills, preference for teamwork, resilience, and ability to multi-task make them successful when given the opportunity to lead. As a trailblazer herself, Erika is a single mom of three, who works full-time and just completed a master’s program in Occupational Health & Safety. Her story inspired the women to have faith in themselves and what they can accomplish.
In the session called, Speaking Up, attendees were asked to make a short presentation in front of their peers on a microphone. Approximately three quarters of the women in the room raised their hand indicating it was the first time they had ever had the opportunity.
Following lunch, Devorah and Claudia from Devorah Allen Solorio Consulting, led the discussion on creating opportunity for leadership by taking a 360 perspective on the company and understanding how the different parts contribute to the overall success of the whole. Continuing to learn and building a network of support were also important themes that emerged. The day concluded with a presentation from Napa County Health on women’s wellness and the opportunity to practice relaxation techniques for healthy stress management.
Starting in 2023, the FWF launched a new supervisor development series, including the Women’s Leadership Workshop, based on the results from last year’s University of California Cooperative Extension Job Satisfaction Survey. The results were used by the FWF Education Committee to meet the needs of farmworkers and their employers.
About the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation
Founded by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers in 2011, the mission of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is to support and promote Napa Valley’s vineyard workers through education and professional development. The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is the only one of its kind in the United States, providing educational opportunities, advanced training programs, leadership and management classes, English literacy programs, and much more. To date, the Farmworker Foundation has offered education and professional development opportunities to more than 21,000 vineyard workers and their families. For more information, visit our website at Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation
The California Table Grape Commission is positioned to expand international demand for California table grapes in 16 target markets with its 2023 export marketing campaign.
The 16 target markets for the 2023 season represented 94.4 percent of export volume June through December in 2022. Of those markets, El Salvador, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, and Vietnam increased in both volume and value in 2022 compared to 2021 despite a variety of global export challenges. “In spite of labor and shipping challenges, and inflation and the value of the dollar, California table grapes still found success in export markets last season,” said commission president Kathleen Nave. “In 2023 the commission is determined to capitalize on that success and plans to expand market share of California table grapes in the target export markets,” said Nave.
The foundation of the 2023 campaign focuses on retail promotions, including providing a variety of retailer incentives. Digital retail promotions are planned throughout the target export markets. Wholesaler promotions are planned in select markets to reach smaller retailers with promotional activity. Campaign expansions include shopper app and social media advertising in all markets, plus work with influencers and retailer-tagged television in select markets. Promotional activities align with high-volume months in each market.
“While there still may be challenges ahead for global exports, the 2023 export marketing campaign will work to drive demand for California table grapes around the world,” said Nave.
The rising generation of wine consumers are uniquely different from those that came before in so many ways. As growers, wine makers and marketers seek to navigate changing trends and behaviors, watch this video featuring beverage alcohol consultant Danny Brager as he shares how to meet today’s wine consumers where they are.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
As we’ve learned so painfully during the pandemic, one thing leads to another; and the actions of one politician in Australia have had a domino effect leading to severe challenges in the global red wine market. Watch this brief interview with Mike Veseth, The Wine Economist and Professor Emeritus of International Political Economy at the University of Puget Sound, and learn more about the state of the wine industry in American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
The California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition is now open and accepting entries from California wine producers. The competition provides an opportunity for California wine producers to showcase their best wines and have them evaluated by a panel of expert judges.
The competition is open to all commercial wineries in California, with categories for red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert wines. The competition also includes categories for organic and biodynamic wines.
The deadline for entries is May 31, 2023, and wines must be received by June 7, 2023. Judging will take place on June 21-22, 2023, and results will be announced in July. Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded in each category, and the top wines will be featured at the California State Fair in July.
Entries can be submitted online at the California State Fair website: https://calexpostatefair.com/participate/competitions/california-commercial-wine/.
News was being delivered throughout the day at the newly named Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos’ 5th annual Vineyard Employee Recognition Celebration. Acknowledged as one of the most innovative and prestigious awards in the winegrape industry, the Employee Recognition award salutes the accomplishments, talent and leadership of vineyard employees who contribute greatly to making Sonoma County a world-renowned wine region and sustainability leader. This year’s event was held at Saralee and Richard’s Barn at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in front 380 people including vineyard employees, their families, grape growers and community leaders.
“The Employee Recognition event is my favorite of the year because we publicly honor our valued employees in front of their families and peers,” said Karissa Kruse, president and chief executive officer of the Sonoma County Winegrowers and executive director of the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos. She added, “The relationship between Sonoma County winegrowers and vineyard employees is unique and the Employee Recognition program embodies that special relationship.”
The big news of the day was delivered by Congressman Mike Thompson in a taped address played for the crowd. He announced Jose Aceves, a 54-year employee at Dutton Ranch, was the 2022 Sonoma County Vineyard Employee of the Year and Jose Guadalupe Nuñez, a 35-year employee at Bevill Vineyard Management, was the Employee of the Year Runner-up.
Aceves began working at Dutton Ranch in 1969 when he joined his best friend from childhood, Juan Sanchez, the 2020 Vineyard Employee of the Year, to begin working in the family farm’s vineyards and apple orchards. During his 54 years working for Dutton Ranch, he has handled every job with skill and expertise from tending to the vineyard, to driving tractors, to foreman and now supervisor. He has shown many of his colleagues how to farm and even taught Joe and Steve Dutton how to drive tractors when they were young boys. Jose has always been willing to help others and to do whatever was needed to get the job done. Of note, Jose’s only son, Jose De Jesus Aceves, grew up on Dutton Ranch and is now the Human Resources manager for the family-owned Dutton Ranch business.
“Jose’s commitment to Dutton Ranch and his talent have made him a vital contributor to our success as a family business,” said Steve Dutton, president and co-owner of Dutton Ranch. He added, “Even after 54 years, during harvest, Jose is the first one here in the morning and the last to leave making sure our apples and grapes are delivered on time. Dutton Ranch would not be as successful without Jose’s dedication and expertise all these years. We grew up with Jose. He is part of our family.”
Runner up Jose Guadalupe Nuñez, or “Don Gualo” as he is called by his family, friends and co-workers, went to work for Bevill Vineyard Management in 1988. Over the past three-plus decades, Nuñez has demonstrated a true passion for farming. Not only does Jose share his experience and wisdom in the vineyards with his colleagues, but he also prepares, tends and harvests the Bevill employee garden each year. Nuñez is so valued that the company dedicated its newest workspace as the “Jose ‘Don Gualo’ Nuñez’ Conference Room” complete with a plaque recognizing Jose’s many contributions.
“Don Gualo constantly displays teamwork and is always ready to help any and all who need it,” said Duff Bevill, managing partner at Bevill Vineyard Management. He added, “His dedication to his craft is inspiring to all of us and I consider it an honor to have him on our team. We were excited to dedicate our new workspace to him and now he has also been recognized as a leader in the broader Sonoma County ag community. Don Gualo deserves all of this and more.”
The Employee Recognition Celebration also paid tribute to 49 additional women and men who excel at farming in Sonoma County as “Employees of the Month.” These individuals are hands-on in growing Sonoma County’s famed sustainable winegrapes and were recognized monthly during the past year. Throughout the year, monthly winners receive gift cards as well as recognition in the local community through advertisements, social posts and articles recognizing their success.
All employees working in Sonoma County agriculture for a vineyard owner, vineyard management company or winery, are eligible for the Employee Recognition awards. Employers nominate individuals each month throughout the year to recognize their skills, achievements and exceptional performance in a variety of areas including leadership, innovation, safety, frost protection, conservation, pruning, canopy management and harvest.
Finally, it was announced that the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation has changed its name and will now be called the Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos which translates to Voice of the Vineyards.
In late 2022, alumni members of the first class of the Foundation’s Leadership Academy were asked to brainstorm new names for the charitable organization that would best represent them and the work they do as vineyard employees. The name change, after 20 years, should better recognize the foundation’s evolving mission and singular purpose to elevate and support vineyard employees and their families. The name should reflect them and their contribution. “Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos” was recommended by Jose Cervantes, a vineyard employee from Cornerstone Certified Vineyard and the 2019 Employee of the Year, and was selected by the alumni group. His suggestion inspired conversation and excitement from the other members of the Leadership Academy who felt that the name represented them, their families, their peers and their desire to be a voice for the wine and ag community. From there, the recommended name was brought to the Foundation’s board of directors which enthusiastically approved renaming the organization, “Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos.”
According to Cervantes, the Leadership Academy alum, “It was an honor to be included in this process and to be able to give our recommendations to the Foundation for the renaming. The new name represents what we do and that we have a voice.”
The Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos is the only non-profit in Sonoma County whose sole mission is to support vineyard employees and their families. It was first established in 2002 by local winegrape growers to help fund education workshops in Spanish. Relaunched in 2016, it expanded its focus to include improving the lives of Sonoma County’s agricultural employees and their families to ensure the region remains a place where they can continue to live, work and thrive. Following the devastating wildfires of 2017, 2019 and 2020, the organization established its Vineyard Employee Resiliency Fund, which has provided more than $2 million in support to more than 1,500 agricultural employees with temporary housing, rent support and gift cards to purchase household items, food and essential supplies. Today the foundation remains a committed employee resource but has focused its programming on initiatives that elevate the workforce including its flagship Leadership Academy.
“The Foundation has always focused on improving the lives of our region’s agricultural employees and their families by providing a helping hand with innovative programs and outreach specific to our community including during the floods earlier this year,” said Kruse. She added, “This is a great day for Sonoma County as we are excited to share our new name with the community as it truly reflects the purpose and essence of the organization from those who know it best and to honor our talented vineyard employees for everyone to learn about and appreciate.”
About Sonoma County Winegrowers:
Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), was established in 2006, evolving from the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association, which was first launched in 1983 by local grape growers inspired to work together to elevate the region. SCW is a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality, sustainability and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers and influencers around the world. In 2014, Sonoma County’s winegrowing community embarked on a major initiative to have all Sonoma County vineyards certified sustainable. Today, 99% of the vineyard acreage in Sonoma County has completed certification by a third-party auditor making Sonoma County the most sustainable winegrowing region in the world. In addition, in 2020, SCW became the exclusive pilot partner for the California Land Stewardship’s Climate Adaptation Certification. In 2022, SCW began envisioning a Farm of the Future which it officially introduced in 2023. SCW’s sustainability efforts have been recognized with California’s highest environmental honor, the 2016 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA). Learn more at www.sonomawinegrape.org.
About the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos:
Originally called the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation (SCGGF), Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos was first established in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) organization to help fund educational workshops in Spanish for agricultural employees. Relaunched in January of 2016, the Fundación is focused on improving the lives of Sonoma County’s agricultural employees and their families, while ensuring Sonoma County remains a place where agricultural workers will continue to live, work, and thrive. In 2022, the first class of the Leadership Academy met to brainstorm names for the Foundation which would best represent them and the work they do. They selected Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos. Since its relaunch in 2016, the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos has continuously proven it has a unique model of outreach and support, recognizing and relying on the trusted relationship that farmers have with their employees. The Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos collaborates with various community-based organizations and agencies to identify existing resources, leverage available support, and create new programs to assist local agricultural employees and their families. This includes a focus on leadership, empowerment & recognition, resiliency, workforce development and being a trusted resource. The Fundación is managed by the Sonoma County Winegrowers with a 16-member board of directors comprised of agricultural leaders, vineyard and winery owners, and Sonoma County community leaders.
Karissa Kruse, president and CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers, used the organization’s annual meeting to unveil a number of innovative programs and impressive new partnerships all linked to building upon its role as a global leader in sustainable farming.
“Our growers always ask, ‘what’s next?’ While we have made great progress in our commitment to sustainability, we refuse to rest on our laurels or assume we have reached our goal,” said Kruse. She added, “We are using our proven leadership in sustainability and climate stewardship to flip the narrative to go on offense for the future of farming in Sonoma County and beyond.”
In 2023, Sonoma County Grape Growers, celebrating its 40th anniversary, continues to drive the marketing for the region through its partnership with Landry’s, which operates more than 600 restaurants, hotels, casinos and entertainment destinations throughout the United States and around the globe; its on-going collaboration with GuildSomm to deliver education to the wine trade in the U.S.; and it will be the host of the Food & Wine’s Aspen Classic’s Publishers Party celebrating the renowned magazine’s 40th anniversary.
The organization will also host the second annual Healdsburg Food & Wine Experience to elevate Sonoma County at the only international wine and food show actually held in a wine region. The event will take place May 18-21 of this year. Last year’s inaugural event raised more than $100,000 to its non-profit beneficiary, the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation.
Said Kruse, “Sonoma County has a unique opportunity to be a living lab for the future of farming and an innovative accelerator. Sonoma County is blessed with more soil types than all of France, a diverse topography and unique microclimates, and we have a proven record of leadership in sustainability and climate stewardship. We are offering an open invitation for thought leaders and innovators to join us in our mission to preserve agriculture in our county and country.”
The Farm of the Future is a forward-thinking effort that is based in scenario planning to respond to climate impacts and changes in the marketplace effectively and quickly. It will serve as an innovation accelerator where businesses can share new technologies and put them into real-life practice. Partners and collaborators can leverage Sonoma County Winegrowers sustainability leadership and a network of climate stewards and forward-thinking change agents.
“The Farm of the Future will address the future of our food source; the future of our national security; the future of our open space; the future of our ag land; the future of sustainability; and, the future of climate stewardship,” said Kruse. She added, “The ripple effect of our effective partnerships, as we are learning firsthand through our collaboration with Ford Pro, is that it is motivating great minds and innovative companies to contact us and ask to work with us to make their ideas a reality. By providing a living lab, Sonoma County winegrowers can pilot proof concept learning that may eventually result in game-changing solutions that can be shared with farmers across the country and around the world.”
The event also included the presentation of the Nick Frey Community Contribution Award to Congressman Mike Thompson. It marked the first time the award had ever been presented to an elected official. Congressman Thompson, first elected in 1998, was instrumental in creating the Congressional Wine Caucus which has been highly effective in bringing Members of Congress and the wine community together to address key issues. The congressman brought his entire staff to the event to share in the recognition.
About Sonoma County Winegrowers:
Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), was established in 2006, evolving from the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association, which was first launched in 1983 by local grape growers inspired to work together to elevate the region. SCW is a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality, sustainability and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers and influencers around the world. In 2014, Sonoma County’s winegrowing community embarked on a major initiative to have all Sonoma County vineyards certified sustainable. Today, 99% of the vineyard acreage in Sonoma County has completed certification by a third-party auditor making Sonoma County the most sustainable winegrowing region in the world. In addition, in 2020, SCW became the exclusive pilot partner for the California Land Stewardship’s Climate Adaptation Certification. In 2022, SCW began envisioning a Farm of the Future which it officially introduced in 2023. SCW’s sustainability efforts have been recognized with California’s highest environmental honor, the 2016 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA). Learn more at www.sonomawinegrape.org.
While different sectors of the wine industry have embraced words describing their vineyard practices and wines such as “sustainable”, “Organic”, “Biodynamic” and “regenerative”, could “Climate Friendly” be the next buzz word and focus for wine grape growers? And would it interest consumers? Watch this brief interview with Liz Thach, Master of Wine, who recently addressed the industry at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento. Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.