After recuperating from another rigorous harvest season, California grape grower and vintners anticipate the release of the annual Grape Crush Report from USDA & CDFA – and that time has come with preliminary results revealing an 8.7% increase from the 2020 crush. Read the following report for more details.
The 2021 crush totaled 3,858,841 tons, up 8.7% from the 2020 crush of 3,551,312 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 2,016,959 tons, up 10.7% from 2020. White wine varieties crushed totaled 1,596,051 tons, up 0.3% from 2020. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 137,959, up 225% from 2020, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 107,872, up 13.2% from 2020.
The 2021 average price of all varieties was $848.42, up 24.8% from 2020. Average prices for the 2021 crop by type were as follows: red wine grapes, $1.055.18, up 32.4% from 2020; white wine grapes, $668.89, up 19.7% from 2020; raisin grapes, $292.23, up 16.6% from 2020; and table grapes, $183.12, up 14.6% from 2020.
In 2021, Chardonnay continued to account for the largest percentage of the total tonnage crushed at 16.0%. Cabernet Sauvignon accounted for the second largest percentage of the total crush at 15.3%. Table grape varieties crushed for wine accounted for 2.8% and raisin varieties crushed for wine were 3.6% 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 1,190,395 tons. The average price per ton in District 13 was $335.75.
Grapes produced in District 4 (Napa County) received the highest average price at $6,090.55 per ton, up 32.5% from 2020. District 3 (Sonoma and Marin counties) received the second highest average price at $2,671.57 per ton, up 10.7% from 2020.
The 2021 Chardonnay average price of $967.52 was up 16.6% from 2020 and the Cabernet Sauvignon average price of $1,643.06 was up 33.0% from 2020. The 2021 average price for French Colombard was $324.51, up 13.0% from 2020, while the Zinfandel average price was up 21.7% from 2020, at $636.79 per ton.
Prices for 2020 reflected adjustments due to smoke damage, as reported by purchasers. For more information about how purchasers reported smoke damaged grapes last year, go to: cdfa.ca.gov/mkt/pdf/GrapeCrush2020_Smoke_Taint_FAQ.pdf
Grasp the full picture of the 2021 grape harvest by reading the March feature in American Vineyard Magazine. Don’t currently receive the print publication? Subscribe for free HERE.
Uniquely tied to the exciting world of professional sports car racing and garnering wins from racing around a track at 180 miles per hour at the highest levels of professional competition takes extreme focus, attention, and a drive for perfection. To professional race car driver and team owner, Kevin Buckler so does winemaking.
Following the legendary success of his professional race team The Racers Group (TRG), Kevin and his wife Debra opened Adobe Road Winery in the heart of Sonoma County in 2002. Their goal, to craft wines that exemplify the true essence of California’s most revered winegrowing regions. “We work hard to make sure each bottle of Adobe Road wine showcases the best attributes of each individual vineyard, within each appellation we source from,” says Kevin. “We choose the best parts of Sonoma and Napa Valley for our elite Cabernet Sauvignons, Dry Creek for our hedonistically rich Syrahs and Zinfandels, as well as the Petaluma Gap for our ethereal Pinot Noirs and lavishly flavored yetsleek Chardonnays.”
Adobe Road sacrifices nothing when it comes to producing their line-up of premium wines. Kevin himself spends countless hours working closely with his Winemaker, Garrett Martin, and team, to perfect the flavor and balance of each and every release. He takes the time to study the fruit, experiments with new blends and meticulously monitors the fermentation process ensuring the ideal conditions throughout production. Adobe Road knows the importance of nurturing its relationships with California’s most renowned and passionate growers. It is this attention to the details that brings out the personality and character of the wines and has garnered so many awards with prominent wine publications and industry competitions throughout the years.
In 2008, after substantial success, Adobe Road took the next steps in their growth when they moved into a production facility just steps away from their sister company TRG in Petaluma, CA. Kevin felt it imperative that he have uncompromising access and control of the process when making such special, artisanal wines, especially in these small, exclusive amounts. “There isn’t always a need for speed in my life,” jokes Buckler. The winery was specifically designed to allow Kevin and his team to spend time with each lot. Carefully monitoring each barrel allows him to make the right decisions at the ideal time. Kevin savors the process which helps him fully understand and manage the many variables that go into developing these prestigious wines.
In 2016 Kevin and Debra once again did what was necessary to support their fastgrowing winery. They purchased a warehouse property on the riverfront of beautiful, historic Downtown Petaluma, a booming, character rich, wine country town. The new facility that will start construction in summer of 2019 will house not only the winery and tasting room, but a car museum, catering facilities, dining rooms, and visitor center.
Support and excitement around the new facility erupted when announced in late 2016 and is guaranteed to become the new destination winery to those living in and visiting wine country.
The exceptional quality and success of Adobe Road’s wines and the multitude of accolades and notoriety awarded to this small boutique winery boil down to one of Buckler’s most profound perspectives …”The best grapes, from the best vineyards, make the best wines, period.”
The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation celebrated its 20th annual Napa County Pruning Contest at Beringer’s Gamble Ranch Vineyard on Saturday, February 5. It was a beautiful day, as 90 contestants displayed speed and technique in what is considered the most prestigious competition for Napa Valley’s vineyard professionals.
“It’s incredible celebrating 20 years of the Napa County Pruning Contest! Participants are passionate about improving their skills each year and competing against their peers,” said Rolando Sanchez, General Manager for Walsh Vineyards Management and member of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s Education Committee. “The Pruning Contest is an opportunity to demonstrate their dedication to high-quality, Napa Valley grape growing.”
The FWF celebrated its 20th anniversary with commemorative giveaways, hoodies provided by FELCO, a past champions round, and festive music and décor.
Erika López from Renteria Vineyard Management competing in the final round of the 20th annual Napa County Pruning Contest (All photos courtesy of Suzanne Becker Bronk)
“The Napa County Pruning Contest highlights the talent, skill and precision of our local vineyard workforce” said Arnulfo Solorio, Partner at Silverado Farming Company and Vice President of the FWF, “and I’m ready for another 20 years.”
To ensure a safe competition environment, the FWF implemented COVID safety protocols and followed all COVID-19 county guidelines. OLE Health joined the event as a premier sponsor and health care partner, volunteering their time to administer rapid tests onsite for all competitors. Everyone attending was required to provide a proof of vaccination, a negative test result taken onsite, and a signed COVID safety waiver; masks were worn at all times.
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 cash, pruning tools, clothing, gift cards and other prizes; a handmade silver belt buckle 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 a catered lunch between competition rounds.
Contestants were Napa County residents and full-time employees. All who participated volunteered their time to compete and most were paid by their employers for the day. Many had successfully competed in internal competitions within their own companies prior to arriving to the countywide contest.
Women’s Division Winners:
1stPlace: Erika López, Renteria Vineyard Management- $950 in cash and gifts cards plus a custom trophy belt buckle; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
2ndPlace: Verónica Medina Reyes Bayview Vineyards – $675 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
3rdPlace: Ana Mejia, Trefethen Family Vineyards – $400 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
4thPlace: Rosa Martínez, Bettinelli Vineyards – $250 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
Men’s Division Winners:
1stPlace: Casimiro Zaragoza, Joseph Phelps Vineyards – $950 in cash and gifts cards plus a custom trophy belt buckle; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
2ndPlace: Agustín Arias, Atlas Vineyard Management – $675 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
3rdPlace: Hector Rodríguez, St. Supery Estate Vineyards – $400 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
4thPlace: Lorenzo Hernández Aquino, Walsh Vineyards Management – $250 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
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 Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) and Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) are partnering with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) on a farmworker-focused, Job Satisfaction Survey. The outcome of the survey will be used to improve the well-being of farmworkers by promoting equitable working conditions.
“The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation was established to support Napa County vineyard workers through education and professional development,” said Jennifer Putnam, CEO of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, “so when the UCCE team approached us to support the survey, it was an immediate and natural decision.”
Throughout Napa, grape growers and vineyard managers are committed to developing highly skilled vineyard teams. Many growers are looking to enhance their already competitive wages with other valuable benefits, such as paid time for English classes and leadership training. The results generated from the UCCE Job Satisfaction Survey will help employers identify which benefits matter most to their teams.
“The inspiration [for the Job Satisfaction Survey] came from an interest in two areas. One was how to address the labor issues growers currently face, and the second was the numerous challenges farmworkers face that contribute to below average life outcomes as a population,” said Malcolm Hobbs, Staff Research Associate at UCCE, “We wanted to do a project that would be mutually beneficial to both parties. Measuring farmworker job satisfaction can help employers identify problems in their work environments so that they can be addressed and show them what they are doing well. There is a lot of research showing that improving job satisfaction in a directed manner can have many benefits for a company in terms of reducing turnover and absenteeism, lowering management costs, and boosting productivity. At the same time, improving job satisfaction can have a huge benefit for employee well-being in terms of health, life satisfaction, and financial security.”
The survey provides an employee assessment of their work environment, which can be used by managers to target strategies for elevating workplace experience. To ensure employees are comfortable responding, the survey is presented in Spanish by UCCE and the FWF as a neutral third party; all submissions are anonymous. Participating employers will receive results for their company, as well as aggregate results for all participating companies. In addition, educational resources to support recommendations will be created by the partners.
Hobbs emphasized, “It was also important to us that we avoid a completely top-down approach, where we or the employer decide what is best for the farmworker, and make sure workers are included in the process. Doing job satisfaction surveys allows the farmworkers to be consulted and give their view on what they want and need which they understand best. Done correctly, such surveys can help build a better dialogue and trust between workers and employers.”
For grape growers and vineyard managers interested in in the UCCE Job Satisfaction Survey, please visit the website to learn more and access the survey in English and Spanish.
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 workersthrough 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 Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation and follow the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.
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 45 years. Its mission is to preserve and promote Napa Valley’s world-class vineyards. NVG represents 685 Napa County grape growers and associated businesses. For more information, visit our website Napa Valley Grapegrowers and follow the Napa Valley Grapegrowers on Facebook and Instagram.
About the University of California Cooperative Extension
The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is part of the national Land Grant system, where selected public institutions of higher learning are charged with providing practical education to the public through various outreach efforts. Collaboration with Napa County and the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is one of the outreach efforts. For more information visit the UCCE website.
Smoke taint is unfortunately an annual concern now for wine grape growers, and this was a topic of interest at the recent Sonoma Grape Expo. Watch this brief video with UCCE Specialist Anita Oberholster as she shares what’s been learned so far about the issue and how growers can prepare their operations as they head into another dry wildfire threatening season. Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.
For the last three months of 2021, retail dietitians shared tempting ideas for incorporating California grapes into meals with their clients in four states.
Nine registered dietitians and licensed food nutritionists from a large grocery chain highlighted California grapes from October through December in 168 stores in Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, and Delaware. Dietitians held in-person and online classes designed to inspire their customer clientele with creative ways to use California grapes, including building a better charcuterie board. Among other things, the team of dietitians used blog posts and podcasts, social media, and an “Ask the Expert” column in Savory magazine to tempt consumers with grape usage and recipe ideas.
“The outreach the dietitians conducted was broad and deep,” said Karen Hearn, vice president of domestic marketing for the California Table Grape Commission. “It was also beautifully done, full of enticing ideas and mouthwatering photos. The work was tied to retail promotions and we know it helped motivate consumers to purchase. The program will serve as a model for future work.”
Hearn noted that the timing of the promotion was important because over 45 percent of the California grape crop shipped October through December.
The Fish Friendly Farming Certification Program has enrolled over 200,000 acres of farmland in California including the majority of vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. The Fish Friendly Farming program has now been benchmarked against SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment version 3, at Silver Level. SAI Platform is a global non-profit organization working with its 150 members across the global food and drink industry to develop sustainable agriculture solutions through pre-competitive collaboration. SAI Platform aims to catalyze change and establish sustainable agriculture as a pre-requisite for doing business throughout the food and drink industry supply chain. Underpinning all of SAI Platform’s work are the Sustainable Agriculture Principles and Practices. These eleven sustainable agriculture principles provide a holistic framework and are interdependent, with best practices often benefiting several principles. These principles address: climate, land and soil, nature, water communities, legal compliance, livelihoods, working and living conditions, health and safety, markets and resources and animal welfare. They help SAI Platform prioritize activities and resources and form the foundation for the development of industry solutions and regional initiatives.
One of the industry solutions developed by SAI Platform is the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA). It was developed in 2014 by the members, their suppliers, farmers, and external stakeholders as a tool for measuring and verifying on farm sustainability. It has been created and reviewed in keeping with the Sustainable Agriculture Principles and Practices. The Fish Friendly Farming Certification Program joins over 150 other systems, standards and certifications which have been benchmarked against the FSA. FSA 3.0 was released in April 2021.
National Marine Fisheries Service certifier discussing farm plan with grower
The benchmarking process involves scoring against the 109 questions of the FSA, as well as a consistency check by a SAI Platform-approved independent expert. This benchmark is an endorsement of the value that the Fish Friendly Farming Certification Program holds for addressing sustainability concerns on farm. It means that for any farmer using the Fish Friendly Farming Certification Program, the crops that they grow can be recognized at FSA Silver Level. Moreover, by-products derived from a supply chain that were successfully Fish Friendly Farming certified can now also be sold as FSA equivalent.
Joe Iveson, FSA Manager at SAI Platform said: “Congratulations to Fish Friendly Farming on reaching FSA Silver Equivalence. This is a great achievement that reflects the certification’s commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural production.”
A project of the Napa-based nonprofit, the California Land Stewardship Institute, Fish Friendly Farming (FFF) certifies growers on management practices that protect the health of their local watershed and the community. First developed in 1997, the initiative has since grown to more than 1,900 participating sites in 15 counties. This expansion reflects the growing interest, both among consumers and winegrowers themselves, in sustainable management practices.
Laurel Marcus, Executive Director for FFF, admits that farmers have to comply with a complicated series of rules to achieve certification. “It is a very detail-oriented program, but that’s the way the environment and community are. It is a complex system, so you have to look at all the places a farm touches the environment that could cause an impact and how it affects the community and workers.”
FFF visits the farms and works with farmers to collect information on assessing erosion and native vegetation. They note how drainage systems work, how vineyards are winterized and perform a complete road assessment. There is a labor and work force element, a business practices element and a green initiatives element. They look at wells, which chemicals are used and make sure farmers have legal water rights.
All information collected by FFF during their assessment is put onto maps and templates which are read and accompanied by more on-site inspections by official governmental certifiers like the National Marine Fisheries Service and County Agricultural Commissioner. They inspect the site and can add requirements to the original farm plan. The farmer gets a list detailing what they need to do to implement their farm plan along with a time frame to get the work done. “Fish Friendly Farming has more rigorous standards and compliance is more difficult to achieve than other programs,” said Marcus. “It’s not just that a majority of vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counites are certified, it’s that they are certified to a very high standard.”
“Through our role as an independent, third-party certifier for Fish Friendly Farming, we are able to work directly with hundreds of growers to assure stream conditions are improved for steelhead and salmon through water quality and habitat improvements,” said Joe Dillon, Water Quality Specialist with NOAA’s National Marine Service.
The FFF program clearly resonates with Napa Valley grape growers. Julie Nord is the owner of Nord Vineyard Services and currently farms nearly 1,000 prime Napa Valley acres, selling grapes to over 60 ultra-premium wineries. “Our winery clients are focused on sustainability and our impact on the environment,” said Nord. “Fish Friendly Farming gives us ongoing help about farming in ways that best protect the environment. Once they even helped us obtain a grant to work on an erosion project. Their certification guarantees our clients that we are up to date on the latest regulations and that our vineyard practices protect fish, waterways, workers and the environment.”
Constellation Brands, Wine & Spirits have had a long-standing association with Fish Friendly Farming dating back to early 2003. With over 1,800 acres currently certified against the program requirements, Fish Friendly continues to be an important contributor to ongoing sustainable practices across their Napa and Sonoma vineyard Operations. “Fish Friendly Farming has provided our Napa and Sonoma vineyard teams with a practical framework focused on environmentally-beneficial land practices that are supportive of local ecosystems and the unique environment in which we conduct our business” said Matt McGinness, General Manager, Global Environmental Sustainability, Constellation Brands Wine & Spirits.
Matt Crafton has worked at Chateau Montelena since 2008 and was named winemaker in 2014. He worked with Fish Friendly Farming to obtain certification for the winery’s vineyards. “Fish Friendly Farming is based on vetted science. It is a verified approach with clear cut goals,” he explained. “The team is very professional. They understand the farming, the viticulture, and they understand that the two goals of protecting our waterways and farming can be one and the same, especially with a high-quality, valuable crop like wine grapes. They do a fantastic job of making sure the practices that are beneficial to the fish are also beneficial to the vines, so you really have farmers and scientists and environmentalists all working together to the same goals.”
“We are proud to have our vineyards certified Fish Friendly Farming, especially as the stewards of 360 acres in the Napa Valley as well as miles of the Napa River. I appreciate the rigor of Fish Friendly Farming’s scientific approach. From the environmental scientists on staff to the regulatory agencies they engage us with, every project and practice the California Land Stewardship Institute recommends is specific, results based, and enduring,” said Russ Weis, president Silverado Vineyards. He added, “Sustainability is all about making sure we celebrate more milestones like this. We will continue to rely on Fish Friendly Farming’s practical and visionary guidance as we work to preserve our land for future generations.”
The Fish Friendly Farming certification program not only benefits the local environment but is also a cost-effective, efficient management strategy for farmers. Because of that, local growers have been practicing revegetation efforts along local creeks and streams that provide for cool shade that helps benefit fish. In addition, the certification program calls for controlling erosion from roadways which improves water quality and stream flow. And it requires fish screens on all water diversions, legally approved water rights and conserving water in the vineyard. The program has implemented environmental improvements on more than 1120 miles of roads, 465 miles of creeks and 83 miles of rivers. The grower must also demonstrate they follow all labor regulations and wage requirements and work to improve their employees lives through training and advancement.
Fish Friendly Farming was previously associated with the Napa Green program of the Napa Vintners. However, the programs are now separate to better differentiate the environmental and social improvement certification of Fish Friendly Farming from the Napa Green marketing program.
A listing of wineries who have all of their lands certified by Fish Friendly Farming reads like a Who’s Who of the California Wine Industry: Treasury, Sterling, Beaulieu Vineyards, Beckstoffer Vyds, Boeger Winery, Provenance, Beringer, Robert Mondavi Winery, Trinchero Family/ Sutter Home, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Clif Family Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Chateau Montelena Winery, Domaine Chandon, Domaine Carneros, Long Meadow Ranch, Hall Wines, Charles Krug Winery, Boisset Family Estates, Frog’s Leap Winery, Hess Collection, Saintsbury Winery, Schramsberg Vineyard, Silver Oak Cellars, Trefethen, Clos Du Bois, Simi Winery, Fetzer Vineyards, Bonterra Vineyards, Golden Vineyards, Roederer Estate, Duckhorn Wines, Francis Ford Copolla Wines, Foley Wine Group, Parducci Wines, Ridge Vineyards, V. Sattui and many others.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., January 27, 2022…From information to application, guests at the 2022 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium returned after a two-year absence to Sacramento’s newly renovated SAFE Credit Union Convention Center to learn about changing environmental conditions, sustainable practices, and expanding markets while visiting with hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the resources, equipment and services to address those challenges.
Discussion of rebounding markets set an upbeat tone for the industry, while expert panelists helped winegrape growers, vintners and other industry representatives digest the latest information on major issues like climate change, drought, wildfire smoke and evolving consumer demand.
“The Unified offers guests a unique opportunity to listen to some of the most informed and respected voices in the industry discuss emerging trends and issues, and then step into the exhibit hall where much of the equipment, supplies and services they had just heard about are on display,” says John Aguirre, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) and co-sponsor of the Unified. “That melding of cutting-edge information with onsite practical solutions is what makes the Unified such a powerful resource.”
With the January spike in the omicron COVID-19 variant, the Unified’s management committee recognized the need to maximize safety and took a myriad of steps to limit spread. All guests were required to pass through the Safe Expo Health & Safety Screening Center before registration, which verified guests’ vaccination status and conducted onsite COVID testing. Additionally, masking was strictly enforced throughout the show. The organizers also canceled the welcome reception, regional wine tasting and exhibitor luncheon to limit exposure.
And while COVID had a definite effect on registration numbers, the Unified’s organizers reported that more than 6,000 people attended the show, maintaining its status as the largest industry trade show of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. More than 600 exhibitors filled the 200,000 square feet of exhibit floor space, where guests perused the latest technology, innovations, services and equipment for the wine and winegrape industry.
“Putting on a huge show and symposium, ensuring safety for thousands of visitors during a pandemic and navigating a wonderful new convention center made for challenges this year, but I’m very pleased by the outcome. We were able to present important content, provide a live venue for the industry to connect and offer invaluable opportunities for guests and exhibitors to interact and connect,” Dan Howard, American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) executive director and Unified co-sponsor, said. “The Unified is all about bringing people and ideas together to advance success, and while we had to jump through some hoops to make that happen this year, it was worth all the effort.”
The 2023 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium will take place on January 24-26 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento. Built with the joint input of growers, vintners and allied industry members, the Unified Symposium has served as a clearinghouse of information important to wine and grape industry professionals for 28 years. The Unified Symposium also hosts the industry’s largest trade show of its kind. For more information, visit www.unifiedsymposium.org
Muriel Bañares
Brown·Miller Communications, Inc. | 1114 Jones St. · Martinez, CA 94553
Insurance coverage will be available starting February 1st for farmowners, wineries, and other outdoor businesses previously ineligible for coverage due to outdated laws.
Acting to address the growing needs for a competitive insurance market for farmowners, wineries, ranchers, and other outdoor agricultural businesses, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara today approved the FAIR Plan to offer new commercial coverage for farm structure risks starting February 1, 2022. The FAIR Plan is an association made up of all admitted insurance companies to be the state’s property “insurer of last resort.”
“Agriculture is critical to our continued economic recovery. That’s why when leaders in this sector first shared their challenges in getting insurance coverage, we listened. We worked with Senator Rubio, Legislative leaders and the Governor to pass SB 11 to help address these issues,” said Commissioner Lara. “The Department of Insurance is changing how the FAIR Plan operates as part of a broader solution to help protect these businesses, especially those vulnerable to climate-intensified wildfires.”
Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of Senate Bill 11 authored by Senator Susan Rubio, the State Legislature and the California Department of Insurance have urged the FAIR Plan to act as promptly as possible. Not wanting to add to the FAIR Plan’s delays, the Department, in its approval letter, noted some additional commercial coverage issues overall that the FAIR Plan must resolve at a later date as the Department reviews the FAIR Plan’s entire commercial property insurance program in the months ahead to ensure it truly “takes all comers.”
“Helping consumers hurt by devastating wildfires has been my top priority as Chair of the Senate Insurance Committee,” said Senator Susan Rubio, author of SB 11. “I am happy to see the Department of Insurance implement legislation I passed to protect California farmers and their workers.”
California’s farmers, ranchers, and vintners, among other agricultural businesses, live and work in more rural, outlying areas that may be especially vulnerable to wildfires. This makes having more and better options for insurance coverage critical to these businesses’ ability to operate and thrive in their communities. Department of Insurance data shows that some agricultural businesses have been left without coverage by insurance companies.
“This approval means California’s FAIR Plan can do its job and add much-needed protection for those farmers and ranchers that have found their insurance policies canceled or non-renewed. Given the current wildfire challenges facing California, our agricultural community is fearful of what may happen this year without this additional coverage,” said Jamie Johansson, President of the California Farm Bureau Federation. “We thank Commissioner Lara for supporting and expediting this new coverage and Senator Rubio for championing this legislation to protect California’s farmers and ranchers. We know that we have a leader in Commissioner Lara to get things done and look forward to continuing to partner with him on long-term coverage solutions for California’s agricultural community.”
There’s been a lot of activity in the wine market over the past several months as the industry heads into 2022 with tighter inventories. Watch this brief interview with Mike Needham as he shares some insights of what he’s been seeing in California’s interior wine grape regions based on his recent presentation at Malcolm Media’s Tree & Vine Expo.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.
The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation celebrated its 20th annual Napa County Pruning Contest at Beringer’s Gamble Ranch Vineyard on Saturday, February 5. It was a beautiful day, as 90 contestants displayed speed and technique in what is considered the most prestigious competition for Napa Valley’s vineyard professionals.
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. 
The Fish Friendly Farming Certification Program has enrolled over 200,000 acres of farmland in California including the majority of vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. The Fish Friendly Farming program has now been benchmarked against SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment version 3, at Silver Level. SAI Platform is a global non-profit organization working with its 150 members across the global food and drink industry to develop sustainable agriculture solutions through pre-competitive collaboration. SAI Platform aims to catalyze change and establish sustainable agriculture as a pre-requisite for doing business throughout the food and drink industry supply chain. Underpinning all of SAI Platform’s work are the 
“The Unified offers guests a unique opportunity to listen to some of the most informed and respected voices in the industry discuss emerging trends and issues, and then step into the exhibit hall where much of the equipment, supplies and services they had just heard about are on display,” says John Aguirre, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) and co-sponsor of the Unified. “That melding of cutting-edge information with onsite practical solutions is what makes the Unified such a powerful resource.”