In this California Ag Network interview, watch Mike Needham from Turrentine Brokerage share current wine market dynamics for the Central Valley of California, which accounts for the highest portion of the nation’s wine grape crush. Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
While a record amount of rain has fallen on the drought-stricken soils of California over the winter, this will unfortunately not solve the state’s ongoing drought and water supply issues. Watch this brief interview with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers as he shares a new push for the state’s cooperation and support for groundwater recharge as a solution for times like these.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
Watch this interview featuring Audra Cooper from Turrentine Brokerage as she describes results of the 2022 Central Coast grape harvest and its impact on the local wine market. The lighter crush was followed by unusually early activity in the wine market. Read more about it in the March Crush Report issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
Applications are now being accepted for scholarships awarded through the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Foundation.
Each year, the Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors who plan to continue their education at a four-year or two-year school. These scholarships are available to students whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower. In addition, one Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year.
The CAWG Foundation board selects scholarship recipients who have demonstrated excellence across the board, from academic achievement and extracurricular activities to public service and community involvement. Selection criteria include scholastic ability, financial need, community service, leadership experience, and a personal essay.
“The CAWG Foundation scholarships are a tribute to the families of employees who help make the winegrape and wine community a special part of California culture. The continuity of this scholarship program is made possible by the generous donations from the winegrape industry, and we express our gratitude to them,” remarked Davindar Mahil, the CAWG Foundation board of directors’ chair.
Each year, three, 4-year scholarships are available at $8,000 each ($24,000 total) for students who plan to attend any campus in the University of California or California State University system. There are also three 2-year scholarships available at $2,000 each ($6,000 total) for students who plan to attend any California community college.
The Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship provides either $500 for Alan Hancock College or $1,000 for Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (see the link below for this scholarship’s eligibility and study subject requirements).
Since the program’s inception in 1998, the CAWG Foundation has awarded $554,500 in scholarships to help students pursue higher education. Generous donations from CAWG members and the California wine community fund the scholarship program.
Applications can be found at https://cawgfoundation.org/ and are due March 4, 2023.
The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) celebrated its 21st Annual Napa County Pruning Contest at Beringer’s Gamble Ranch Vineyard on Saturday, February 4. It was a perfect day as 106 contestants displayed speed and technique in what is considered the most prestigious competition for Napa Valley’s vineyard professionals.
“The Napa County Pruning Contest continues to get better every year. Participants are passionate about improving their skills and competing against their peers,” said Rolando Sanchez, General Manager for Walsh Vineyards Management, and member of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation Education Committee, “The Pruning Contest is an opportunity to demonstrate their dedication to high-quality, Napa Valley grape growing.”
The FWF’s Napa County Pruning Contest is a community event with activities and giveaways for competitors and their families. At this year’s event, FWF handed out warm beanies and long-sleeved shirts, Bombas contributed socks of all sizes, and Copperfield’s Books donated children’s books.
During the main event, each of the contestants pruned five vines in the day’s preliminary competition. Those with the highest scores went on to the final round, which produced the winners: 4 in the women’s division and 4 in the men’s division. The winners took home a generous bucket of gifts, which included cash, pruning tools, clothing, Napa Valley wine, gift cards and other prizes; a handmade silver belt buckle from Max Lang Belt and Buckles and first-ever champions jacket from FELCO was given to the 1st place winners. Employers typically match the cash prize winnings, so the day was highly rewarding for the top 8 finalists. All contestants enjoyed lunch catered by Tacos El Muchacho Alegre between competition rounds.
Past Napa County Pruning Contest champions judged the competition this year, which was an opportunity to inspire competitors. “As a past winner, now judging, I’m proud and happy to be helping and hope to encourage competitors to win,” said Celia Perez of V. Sattui Winery and the first women’s division champion in 2014, “People think that the Pruning Contest is only for men, but I am here to prove it’s for everyone, and that anyone can win.”
Competitors are Napa County farmworkers and full-time employees. All farmworkers who work in Napa County are eligible to compete.
Support for this event was provided by sponsors Nemerever Vineyards, Pulido~Walker, Silicon Valley Bank, Martinez Orchards, Central Valley Ag Supplies, FELCO, Duarte Trees & Vines, Sunbelt Rentals, Ag Health Benefits Alliance, Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, Jaguar Farm Labor Contracting, Crocker & Starr, Brotemarkle Davis & Co, H&E Equipment Services, Malloy Imrie & Vasconi Insurance Services, Novavine, Pearls Farm Labor, Renteria Vineyard Management, Silver Oak, John Derr Farming, Grow West, Sunridge Nurseries, Taddei Vineyards, Gonzalez Vineyard Management, V. Sattui Winery, A&J Vineyard Supply, Larkmead Vineyards, Green Valley Tractor, and our partner in health, OLE Health.
Thank you to the Napa Valley community members who served on the Napa County Pruning Contest Committee: Macy Stubstad, Co-Chair, Lawrence Wine Estates; Kendall Smith, Co-Chair, Grace Family Vineyards; Garrett Buckland, Premiere Viticultural Services; Brianna Beighle, Bryant Wines; Pam Bond, Allied Grape Growers; Chad Clark, Allied Grape Growers; Gustavo Avina, Pine Ridge; Blake Wood, Beckstoffer Vineyards; and Hayden Schmidter, Moulds Family Vineyard.
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 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service just released their preliminary grape crush report for 2022, revealing a total crush 3,620,595 tons, down 6.7% from the 2021 crush of 3,880,141 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 1,885,875 tons, down 7.2% from 2021. White wine varieties crushed totaled 1,463,787 tons, down 8.6% from 2021. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 103,812, down 24.8% from 2021, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 167,121, up 54.9% from 2021.
“The total California 2022 winegrape crush of 3.35 million tons, the lightest in over a decade, played a significant role in the overall market for grapes and bulk wine in 2022 and continues to be a contributing factor to the moderate to strong levels of demand the market is currently experiencing,” shared Audra Cooper, Central Coast Grape Broker at Turrentine Brokerage.
The 2022 average price of all varieties was $910.80, up 5.7% from 2021. Average prices for the 2022 crop by type were as follows: red wine grapes, $1,150.58, up 7.2% from 2021; white wine grapes, $682.07, up 1.0% from 2021; raisin grapes, $314.27, up 7.8% from 2021; and table grapes, $215.64, up 17.9% from 2021.
In 2022, Cabernet Sauvignon surpassed Chardonnay as the variety with the largest percentage of the total tonnage crushed at 15.4%. Chardonnay accounted for the second largest percentage of the total crush at 14.4%. Raisin grape varieties crushed for wine accounted for 2.9% of the total crush and table varieties crushed for wine were 4.6% of the total crush.
District 13 (Madera, Fresno, Alpine, Mono, Inyo Counties; and Kings and Tulare Counties north of Nevada Avenue (Avenue 192)), had the largest share of the State’s crush at 1,149,339 tons. The average price per ton in District 13 was $357.48.
Grapes produced in District 4 (Napa County) received the highest average price at $6,847.19 per ton, up 12.2% from 2021. District 3 (Sonoma and Marin counties) received the second highest average price at $2,858.39 per ton, up 6.4% from 2021.
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon average price of $1,892.40 was up 13.8% from 2021 and the Chardonnay average price of $1,014.63 was up 3.9% from 2021. The 2022 average price for French Colombard was $330.64, up 1.9% from 2021, while the Zinfandel average price was up 0.7% from 2021, at $651.06 per ton.
The entire Preliminary Grape Crush Report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov/ca. See the March issue of American Vineyard Magazine for an in-depth (and animated) analysis of the Crush Report.
When compared with natural vineyard attrition taking place, grapevines are being planted at a higher rate according to Allied Grape Grower’s recent grapevine nursery survey report discussed at The Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. Watch this video with Jeff Bitter to learn more about what varieties are being planted and where.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
Former Sun-Maid President Barry Kriebel has returned to industry leadership as the new President of the Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA). Approved by the association board of directors on the evening of Feb. 2, watch this brief interview with Barry and Chairman of the selection committee Mitch Sangha to learn more. Read about it in the next issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
The Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) is pleased to be selected as a 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner. 1% for the Planet is a global movement, created by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Files, that provides organizations with support for solving the planet’s problems. The carefully vetted approval process reviewed the NVG for its advocacy, conservation, stewardship, and education efforts toward a brighter future.
To be eligible, the NVG met the following qualifications:
As part of the rigorous selection process, NVG’s educational programming on environmental topics was assessed as was its annual calendar, which addresses the concerns we all face, such as water conservation and wildfire preparedness. Additionally, NVG programs, like its Low Smoke Burning Program and Climate Science Series, taught by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Senior Lecturer Drew Issacs, were also taken into consideration.
With this recognition, NVG gains access to a network of 1% for the Planet Business members that actively commit to giving 1% of gross sales to organizations making positive changes for the environment. Business members support 1% for the Planet Environmental Partners with monetary donations, volunteer time, in-kind donations, and other forms of promotion, and select which Environmental Partners to support.
The NVG is grateful to 1% for the Planet Business member, Paradigm Winery, for nominating it as an Environmental Partner. Through 1% for the Planet, the NVG is excited to build a broader network of environment-conscious businesses and organizations throughout Napa, the Northern California Bay Area, and beyond.
To learn more about 1% for the Planet, visit onepercentfortheplanet.org.
For inquiries about NVG’s participation in the 1% for the Planet program or our work, please contact Caroline Feuchuk, cfeuchuk@napagrowers.org.
About the Napa Valley Grapegrowers
The Napa Valley Grapegrowers is a non-profit trade organization that has played a vital role in strengthening Napa Valley’s reputation as a world-class viticultural region for 48 years. Its mission is to preserve and promote Napa Valley’s world-class vineyards. NVG represents 685 Napa County grape growers and associated businesses and is a 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner. To learn more about the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, visit the website, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn,Twitter and TikTok for vineyard updates and best practices for sustainable farming.
The Monterey County wine and winegrape sector and the businesses that support the industry deliver a total economic contribution of $1.4 billion in annual economic activity for Monterey County’s economy, according to a new report commissioned by the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG). (https://eir-api.guerrillaeconomics.net/reports/bd57d1aa-a44a-4340-a67e-c6bf768b7b21?)
The Monterey County wine industry, directly and indirectly, generates 10,491 jobs and $598.5 million in annual wages and benefits. Monterey County cultivated around 42,000 acres of grapes in 2021 and has 158 vineyard and winery operations, with 75 winery licenses (Type 02).
The local industry attracts approximately 630,000 tourists annually, who spend roughly $122.3 million. There are about 65 tasting rooms throughout the County, along the coast in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey, in the sunny and warm countryside of Carmel Valley, and the vineyards along the Monterey Wine Trail in the Salinas Valley.
“Our local wine industry is an important economic driver, generating significant revenue and employment opportunities and driving tourism. Locally, many of our small and large wineries are still family-owned, and some have been passed down through generations.”, shared Kim Stemler, Executive Director of the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association.“Our wine businesses have a strong connection to communities, as demonstrated by their generosity to local non-profits and a deep commitment to their employees and caring for the land.”
The wine industry is tremendously generous, donating $291.2 million in annual charitable contributions from all California counties combined. As anyone that has attended any non-profit fundraiser knows, the local wine industry steps up to support philanthropic efforts in many ways, including the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Foundation Peter Figge Scholarship Fund.
ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
– Economic Impact of Monterey County Wine and Winegrapes:
– Employment – 10,491 jobs
– Annual Economic Activity – $1.4 billion
– Wages & Benefits – $$598.5 million annually
– Tourism Visits – 630,900 wine-related tourist visits annually to Monterey County wineries
– Tourism Spending – $122.3 million in estimated wine visitor-related expenditures annually
ABOUT THE RESEARCH
Economic Impact of California Wine and Grapes on Monterey 2022 measures the full economic impact of the wine and winegrape industries in terms of employment, wages, output, taxes, tourism spending and visits, and charitable giving. “The Economic Impact of California Wine on Monterey County” was prepared by John Dunham & Associates. It uses a standard and widely used methodology, which includes direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts, to present the full picture. The IMPLAN model, initially developed by the U.S. Forest Service and the University of Minnesota (and now maintained by IMPLAN, Inc.), is used by many companies worldwide and government agencies such as the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Economic Research Service, and Federal Reserve Bank.