California Ag Network

Category: Grape Industry

  • Renown Cucamonga Wine Grower Donald Galleano Passes

    Donald D. Galleano, 1952-2021

    It is with great sadness that the family of renown winegrower, community leader and champion of regional water interests, Donald D. Galleano, announces his passing on June 2, 2021.

    Mr. Galleano was President of the Historic Cantu-Galleano Ranch in Mira Loma, California, a fifth-generation winery founded in 1927. Galleano is the oldest Prohibition-era winery in the Cucamonga Valley still owned by the family and operating at its original location.

    Mr. Galleano was devoted to his family and his community, and over the years, served in a variety of leadership positions. Since 2004, he served on the Board of Directors of the Western Municipal Water District and was Western’s sole representative on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

    Mr. Galleano served on the National Orange Show Foundation Board and the Los Angeles County Fair Association Board. He was a past president of the Western Riverside County Businessman’s Association and the Jurupa Chamber of Commerce.

    The family asks for privacy during this period of mourning.

  • California Table Grape Growers Award Scholarships

    California’s table grape growers recently awarded scholarships to seven students in grape growing regions of the state. All recipients will be attending California universities or community colleges.

    Four field worker scholarships were awarded: three for $25,000 for four years of university study and one for $14,500 for study at a combination of community college and university. Recipients may study any field. To qualify, the applicant or parent or guardian must work in the California table grape harvest.

    Three agricultural scholarships were awarded as well: each for $25,000 for four years of university study in an agriculturally related field.

    Since 1985, California table grape growers have awarded nearly 170 scholarships to help students attend college.

    The 2021 scholarship recipients are listed below:

    $14,500 Bridge Field Worker Scholarship

    Ms. Johanna Arreola is a graduate of Cesar E. Chavez High School in Delano. Johanna graduated with a 4.17 weighted grape point average. Johanna was a member of the school marching band and the Delano Police Department Explorer program. Johanna will attend Porterville College, then transition to Sacramento State. Johanna will major in criminal justice with a goal of becoming an FBI agent.

    $25,000 Four-Year Field Worker Scholarship

    Ms. Daniela Carrillo is a graduate of Reedley High School in Reedley. Daniela graduated with a 4.5 weighted grade point average (GPA), the highest in school history. Daniela was a member of the Youth Health Corps and participated in the Reedley toy drive and community food bank projects. Daniela will attend UC San Diego where she will major in public health with a goal of becoming a public health educator or doctor.

    Ms. Fernanda Sevilla is a graduate of La Quinta High School in La Quinta. Fernanda graduated with 4.5 weighted GPA. Fernanda was a four-year honor roll student, and a member of the school film and fashion clubs. Fernanda will attend UC San Diego where she will major in psychology with a goal of becoming a psychologist.

    Mr. Gustavo Valenzuela is a graduate of McFarland High School in McFarland. Gustavo graduated with a 4.52 weighted GPA. Gustavo was associated student body vice president, was a member of the varsity baseball team and provided educational resources to students in Mexico. Gustavo will attend UCLA where he will major in biology with a career goal of becoming a physician.

    $25,000 Agricultural Scholarships

    Mr. Enrique Carrillo is a graduate of Wasco Union High School in Wasco. Enrique graduated with a 4.20 weighted GPA. Enrique was a member of the school track, wrestling, and cross country teams. Enrique also volunteered at Wind Wolves Preserve where he helped with the removal of invasive plant species and the replanting of endangered species. Enrique will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall where he will major in agriculture engineering with a career goal of becoming an ag engineer.

    Ms. Michaela Mederos is a graduate of Tulare Western High in Tulare. Michaela graduated with a 4.07 weighted GPA. Michaela was involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA), where she earned many awards, including the state championship in Grapevine Pruning Team competition. Michaela will attend Fresno State in the fall where she will major in agriculture business management with a goal of owning a floral shop.

    Ms. Clarisse Tracy is a graduate of Garces Memorial High School in Bakersfield. Clarisse graduated with a 3.98 weighted GPA. Clarisse was a member of the school track, tennis, and cheer teams. Clarisse was also an active member of FFA. Clarisse will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall where she will major in agricultural business with the career goal of owning her own farm.

  • Ren Harris of Paradigm Winery Named Napa Valley Grower of the Year

    Oakville grape grower and Napa Valley Grapegrowers founder, Ren Harris, has been named the 2021 Napa Valley Grower of the Year.

    Harris began his farming career in the late 1960s, moving from San Francisco with his wife, Napa Valley native, Marilyn Pelissa.  They purchased a prune orchard in Oakville, CA, where Harris began working odd jobs for family and friends, growing a passion for agriculture and farming.

    Harris became involved in causes and efforts near and dear to his heart, dedicating years advocating for the vineyard and winery workforce. In 1972, he founded the California Grower Foundation (now Ag Health Benefits Alliance), which established affordable health care access for farmworkers, and helped improve work conditions for many.

    As the Napa County Farm Bureau President from 1975 through 1977, Harris was exposed to a wide range of issues affecting the industry, and with that, his passion for supporting Napa Valley agriculture grew.

    In 1975, Harris, alongside long-time Napa Valley grape growers Andy Beckstoffer, William Jaeger, Jr., John Trefethen, Virgil Galleron, Justin Meyer, and Joseph Miller, established the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG). They had a shared focus – to sustain grape growing in the Napa Valley. Through the NVG, they set an important precedent for growers, giving them a voice: developing the Bottle Price Formula; lobbying for geographical and historical indicators to be used to establish a wine’s appellation of origin; initiated the Winery Definition Ordinance, which mandated that 75% of grapes in Napa wine must come from Napa Valley vineyards; and other industry practices commonplace today.

    Beyond founding the California Grower Foundation and the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, Harris immersed himself in other civic, philanthropic, and professional endeavors, all helping to build a legacy for Napa Valley agriculture and land preservation: Governor of the council of California Growers; Napa Valley Co-Op Winery Director; past president and active board member for the Oakville Winegrowers Association; and, since 2002, a 1% for the Planet movement member, annually dedicating 1% of his winery’s gross sales toward environmental nonprofits.

    Harris is a 6th generation Californian. He began as a history major at the University of San Francisco, then pursued additional education from Napa Valley College, UC Davis, and most recently, the University of Bordeaux. In addition to his deep commitment to the Napa County community, Harris’s “day job” from 1980 – 2003 was in vineyard and winery real estate.

    Filled every day with genuine gratitude, Harris enjoys riding motorcycles, his Saturday morning breakfast routine with a dear friend, Harold Morrison – a routine that has lasted over 50 years! – and sharing historical anecdotes about the Napa Valley.

    NVG President Michael Silacci commented on Harris’s award by stating, “Ren Harris is an icon, scratch that, a legend in the Napa Valley. His tireless efforts to preserve and protect the land, the vineyards, the people, and the community are woven into the fabric of the Napa Valley. If the Grower of the Year were to receive an Oscar-like statue instead of a belt buckle, Ren would be the model for it.”

    He and his wife own Paradigm Winery in Oakville, CA.

    Nominations for the Grower of the Year come from the NVG membership and the recipient is chosen by a special Selection Committee made up of Past Presidents, current leadership, and active committee members. The award criteria are: a strong commitment to sustainable practices; recognized leadership in agricultural preservation; dedicated community focus, contributions to the Napa Valley community; and someone who actively promotes Napa’s reputation for the highest quality vineyards.

    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 46 years. Its mission is to preserve and promote Napa Valley’s world-class vineyards. NVG represents 685 Napa County grape growers and associated businesses.

  • Could Seasonal Wildfires Ruin our Wine?

    Many wine lovers know that a hint of smoky flavors in Zinfandel or Pinot Noir are the perfect complement with grilled meats. They may also be familiar with the phrase, “Stressed vines make the best wines.”

    But what if those smoky overtones go overboard as the grapes are exposed to destructive wildfires? And what if those stressed vines are the result of prolonged drought conditions?

    As the effects of climate change are felt in California wine country and around the world, vintners are anxious about what the future holds. They wonder if some wine regions are becoming too warm to properly grow such signature grapes as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. They’re concerned about prolonged droughts that decrease harvest yields and lead to dry conditions that set the stage for massive wildfires. Those fires can not only destroy precious vineyards but also damage fruit through prolonged smoke exposure.

    With so much at stake in the world’s wine industry, UC Davis researchers are focused closely on mitigating the effects of climate change in viticulture. They’re working with the wine industry to study such pressing issues as smoke taint, drought-tolerant rootstocks and other ways that grape growers can adapt to warming temperatures.

    “We’re seeing the impact of climate and climate change,” said Megan Bartlett, a UC Davis plant biologist and assistant professor. “Especially after the heatwaves and the megadrought a few years ago, we really saw, as an industry, declines in (crop) yield. These are really pressing problems, especially now.”

    The spectre of smoke

    The 2020 vintage was a lost year for Stuart Spoto. His premium brand, Spoto Family Wines, sources much of its Cabernet Sauvignon in the Oakville appellation in Napa Valley, on a plot of land that’s also used by UC Davis researchers at Oakville Station.

    As wildfires and hazardous smoke whipped around the Napa Valley in the fall of 2020, Spoto couldn’t help but fret. He’d been through this in 2017, when Napa was similarly engulfed in flames and smoke from the wine country fires.

    While Spoto Family Wines was still able to release a 2017 vintage, this time was different. Early analysis showed that prolonged smoke exposure had most likely tainted the grapes that made the wine, leaving Spoto to scrap the 2020 vintage. Shafer Vineyards in Napa’s Stags Leap District and Somerston of St. Helena were among those who made the difficult decision to forgo the 2020 vintage due to smoke taint concerns.

    “Part of being in Oakville is we have a good team of fellow vintners, and UC Davis is part of that,” said Spoto ’82. “We had a lot of data collected and we relied on other people’s information and sensory evaluations. Sitting down with UC Davis, we had a pretty clear idea to not produce wine.”

    Anita Oberholster uses a large pipette to grab a sample of smoke-exposed wine that’s been sitting in fermentation tanks (photo courtesy of Joe Proudman/UC Davis)

    ‘Can you imagine licking an ashtray?’

    Anita Oberholster, a Cooperative Extension enology specialist at UC Davis, has studied the effects of smoke taint over the past four years, as wildfires have become an annual event in California. She’s now one of the world’s leading experts in the issue.

    If grapes are exposed to smoke, especially for extended periods of time, they can impart unwanted flavors into finished wine. That’s smoke taint, and it has the capability to ruin entire vintages of wine.

    “Can you imagine licking an ashtray?” Oberholster said. “When wines are heavily impacted, it can taste like that.”

    The impact of smoke taint isn’t always cut and dried. You can’t predict which grapes may have suffered damage based on anything intuitive, such as sight, smell or even the flavor of fresh grapes. Just because there’s smoke in the air doesn’t mean grapes are tainted.

    “There are so many variables,” Oberholster said. “Freshness of the smoke, number of times exposed, variety of grape — the list goes on. There’s so much we don’t know.”

    Chemical analysis can help predict the likelihood of smoke taint, but time is of the essence. In the fall of 2020, as grapes hung heavy on the vine in Northern California, commercial labs were backed up for several weeks to test for possible smoke taint. Even if the grapes were unaffected, disruption could still be felt around the wine industry.

    “Growers were in a tough position because buyers were cancelling contracts unless you could prove your grapes hadn’t suffered damage,” said David Block, UC Davis viticulture and enology professor and department chair, “and demand for analysis far exceeded supply.”

    Mysteries and myths

    Thus, the research related to smoke taint continues, with a long list of mysteries and myths to decipher.

    “Number one, are we looking at the right molecules?” Oberholster said. “We can’t fully assess smoke-related issues if we don’t completely understand the nature of the compounds at play.”

    Smoke barriers are also on Oberholster’s radar. She wonders if a spray could be developed that growers could use to protect grapes from the harmful compounds that burning woods emit.

    Additionally, Oberholster hopes to see the development of low-cost sensors that support growers’ ability to estimate smoke-taint risk.

    “That would expand lab capacity because you’d only have to test grapes that were in a high-risk zone,” she said.

    As for myths, Oberholster wants to dispel the misconception that grapes and wine will automatically suffer in smoky conditions.

    “Consumers have no reason to shy away from vintage 2020,” she said. “Winemakers will ensure the quality of the wine is what the consumer expects. They know that if consumers taste wine that is tainted, they won’t reach for it again.”

    Rising temperatures, thirsty vines

    2020 started on a worrisome note in terms of water. In February, the U.S. Drought Monitor classified nearly 60% of the state’s land as “abnormally dry.” That included the wine grape growing counties of Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino.

    Meanwhile, a broader and equally troublesome trend was emerging in California’s wine country. Napa, for example, was moving into a warmer climate category according to the Winkler Index. Developed at UC Davis by A.J. Winkler and Maynard Amerine, this system classifies the climate of wine growing regions based on a heat summation scale and serves as a guide for which grape varietals are best suited for a given area.

    Back at Oakville Station, Kaan Kurtural works directly with growers regarding climate change and wine. He’s a professor of viticulture at UC Davis who researches rootstocks and clone combinations that show promise in being more drought-tolerant, along with farming practices that mitigate the effects of warming weather. Some future plots at Oakville Station will focus on varietals that are native to southern Italy and Greece and will be tested for plant-fitness in California’s warming climate.

    “I don’t think there was ever a doubt with grape growers that it was happening,” Kurtural said about climate change. “This is bottom-line — grapes are money, it’s business.”

    In response to warming temperatures, Kurtural is testing shade films that can be used in vineyards to filter certain types of ultraviolet light. Grapes can still be grown outdoors but have the potential to stay cooler and expand the growing season with these systems.

    “It was one of the first things that Napa Valley growers asked me to test when I came to UC Davis in 2015,” Kurtural said. “Now we have shades over the rows to block out the vineyards. It looks like you’re growing the grapes in a greenhouse but the site is open.”

    Kurtural is also helping lead a trial that focuses on Napa’s most signature grape: Cabernet Sauvignon.

    This red varietal, which likely accounts for slightly more than half of the Napa Valley’s grape plantings, requires very particular conditions to thrive. It needs warmth to ripen — but too much heat can make its flavors go flat and boozy. And without enough water supply, growers can face low crop yields.

    Kurtural is now part of a research team that’s collaborating with Napa’s Beckstoffer Vineyards and Duarte Nursery in Stanislaus County in what’s been called “the mother of all cabernet trials.” It encompasses 3,600 plants with 10 clones of Cabernet Sauvignon crossed with different 10 rootstocks.

    The trial’s goals are to find the hardiest rootstocks for Cabernet Sauvignon by identifying biomarkers for overexposure and water stress.

    Explained Kurtural, “We’re going to use these biomarkers to identify the most resilient rootstocks and clone combination for Cabernet Sauvignon. “It’s unlikely that things will change overnight,” he added, “or the markets will accept a substitution for Cabernet or (Bordeaux varieties). This will buy us some time to find some breeding material to blend in.”

    Bartlett, the plant biologist, also works to identify traits that can improve drought tolerance in rootstocks. She’s part of a UC Davis project that’s looking at the characteristics of root cells that help the roots maintain water intake from dry soil. Once the genes with those traits are identified, they can screen across large populations for breeding.

    “We’re trying to see how we can solve problems by improving these plants,” Bartlett said. “We want to see how we can scale up these traits for overall stress tolerance and performance from the plant.”

    Harvesting Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at Oakville Experimental Station under smoky conditions in 2017. From left to right are Ph.D. student Raul Girardello, M.S. student Arran Rumbaugh and Anita Oberholster, cooperative extension specialist in the Department of Viticulture and Enology (Photo courtesy Anita Oberholster).

    So as the wine world looks to the 2021 vintage and beyond, questions remain about climate change and what the future may hold.

    “A crystal ball would be nice in terms of climate change,” said Spoto, the Oakville Station winemaker. “I let the experts take the lead. Having UC Davis in our backyard is beyond words for the benefit we get.” — By Chris Macias & Diane Nelson, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

  • California Grape Acreage Subsides

    The year 2020 could be characterized as a year of great loss, due to the pandemic, wildfires, and many other issues. The USDA also just reported a loss in total acreage for the number one grape growing state in the nation for the unprecedented year. California’s 2020 grape acreage totaled 895,000 acres, down 2.5% from 2019. Of the total grape acreage, 844,000 were bearing while 51,000 were non-bearing. The wine-type grape acreage was estimated at 620,000 acres, 580,000 bearing and 40,000 non-bearing. Table-type grape acreage remained unchanged from 2019, totaling 130,000 acres, with 122,000 bearing and 8,000 non-bearing. Acreage of raisin-type grapes totaled 145,000 acres, of which 142,000 were bearing and 3,000 were non-bearing.  While wine grape acreage experienced the most significant decline this past year, raisin grape acreage was reported to have the most significant percentage loss of the three types, at a 5.2% decline.

    The leading wine-type varieties continued to be Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Flame Seedless was the leading table-type grape variety. Thompson Seedless continued to be the leading raisin-type variety and was utilized for raisins, fresh market, concentrate, and wine.

    The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Pacific Regional Office partners with California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Table Grape Commission, and Raisin Administrative Committee to conduct an annual acreage survey of California grape growers. The purpose of this survey is to provide annual grape acreage with information on new plantings and removals. It is a continuation of a long series of industry-funded grape acreage surveys.

    This report consists of two parts:

    ➢ Estimated grape acreage — bearing, non-bearing, and total.

    ➢Detailed data by variety, and year planted — as voluntarily reported by grape growers and maintained in our list of grape vineyards.

    With perfect information, the estimated grape acreage and the detailed data would be the same. However, this will never be the case for the following reasons:

    ➢A voluntary survey of approximately 8,900 grape growers is unlikely to attain 100 percent completeness.

    ➢ It is difficult to detect growers who are planting grapes for the first time.

    ➢ The detailed data reflects vine removals from 30,000 acres during the past twelve months. Of this number, significant acreage was harvested in 2020 prior to being pulled out. As a result, harvested acreage removed in 2020 is included in the estimated acreage, but excluded from the detailed data

    PROCEDURES

    The major source of the grape detailed data was a questionnaire mailed to all grape growers from our list of grape vineyards. The mailing was made in October 2020 to approximately 8,900 grape growers. The questionnaire contained previously reported crop, variety, and acreage information preprinted. Producers were asked to update the information with new plantings, removals, and any other corrections; new growers were mailed a blank questionnaire. Growers were given six weeks to respond by mail. A telephone follow-up was then undertaken.

    To arrive at the estimated grape acreage, our list of grape vineyards was compared with data provided from the pesticide application data maintained by County Agricultural Commissioners and the Department of Pesticide Regulation.

    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

    We sincerely thank the many farm operators, owners, and management firms providing the information. Funding was provided by an assessment on wine grapes plus funding from the California Table Grape Commission and the Raisin Administrative Committee.

  • How California Vineyards are Following Sustainable Practices

    Wine can be made sustainably. Ask your vintner about their sustainability practices. Credit: Morguefile

    California is the fourth-largest wine producing region in the world. With that accolade, wineries have a great responsibility to protect the land and the environment. In this Sustainable, Secure Food blog, Lisa Francioni-Hai explains how the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance makes this happen:

    Sustainable wine production uses practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically viable. Grape growers and vintners, the people who make wine, follow sustainable practices throughout California to grow and make high quality grapes and wine.

    Sustainable vineyards and wineries:

    • conserve water and energy;
    • maintain healthy soil;
    • protect air and water quality;
    • enhance relations with employees and communities;
    • preserve local ecosystems and wildlife habitat; and,
    • improve the economic vitality of vineyards and wineries.

    Some examples of sustainable practices include:

    • Grazing sheep and providing habitat for beneficial birds to control weeds and pests
    • Using cover crops, (e.g., clover, peas, and mustard) to prevent erosion and to increase soil health;
    • Installing drip irrigation to use less water;
    • Collecting runoff and rain to conserve water and decrease pollution;
    • Composting, recycling, and reusing waste materials like vine pruning clips, pumice, leaves, stems, pressed grapes, etc.;
    • Preserving local ecosystems and wildlife habitats to increase biodiversity; and,
    • Providing employee training.

    California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance

    The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance is a partnership between growers and vintners. Established in 2003, it promotes sustainability from grapes to glass. In the last two decades, the educational programming has grown. The state’s growers and vintners have been using sustainable winegrowing practices for decades.

    In 2010, The Alliance also set up a certification program called Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing. This program has  a robust collection of educational resources that includes the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing, covering over 200 sustainability practices.

    As the fourth largest wine-producing region in the world, California has one of the most comprehensive and widely adopted sustainable winegrowing programs. The community fosters a culture of continuous improvement and leadership in sustainability.

    Vintners in California can apply for certification by the California Wine Institute after adopting several sustainability practices. Credit: Wine Institute

    What is Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing?

    Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing provides annual third-party verification. Auditors verify that a winery or vineyard follows stringent sustainable winegrowing standards. Auditors also verify the wineries and vineyards are committed to continuous improvement in sustainability.

    In addition to using required practices, companies decide what areas need to be improved. They focus their resources on practices that will make the most difference for their sustainability goals. Vineyards and wineries must also meet an overall score threshold to renew their certification year after year. They measure and track metrics for water, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and nitrogen. They also must follow restrictions on crop-protection materials.

    Currently, Certified California Wineries make 92% of California wine. Over 2,000 vineyards are certified, spanning 76,672 hectares of land. Certified wineries source at least 85% of their grapes from certified vineyards, and 100% of their grapes must come from California.

    A Commitment to the Future

    California vineyards and wineries are dedicated to the land. They strive to keep a healthy and beautiful environment for themselves, neighbors, and wine-country visitors. As mostly family-owned businesses, they make long-term decisions to pass on thriving businesses to future generations. Their dedication to sustainability reflects their desire to be world-class producers known not only for high-quality wines, but also for the conscientious way in which they produce them.

    Ms. Francioni-Hai presented at the 2020 Sustainable Agronomy Conference offered by the American Society of Agronomy. Listen to her talk here. (Qualified members of the media can receive complimentary media access by contacting Susan Fisk, ASA-CSSA-SSSA Science Communications Director.)

    To learn more about California Wines and the industry’s sustainability commitment, visit www.discovercaliforniawines.com.

    To view lists of Certified California Sustainable Wines, Wineries and Vineyards, visit: https://www.sustainablewinegrowing.org/CCSW-certifiedparticipants.

  • Sonoma Winegrowers Share Results Of First Ag Climate Adaptation Pilot Program

    Twenty growers from the Sonoma County Winegrowers representing nearly 1,900 vineyard acres just completed the nation’s first climate adaptation pilot program for agriculture with exciting results, giving us much to celebrate this Earth Day.

    The Climate Adaptation Certification program created by the California Land Stewardship Institute (CLSI) uniquely creates climate farming scenarios that are custom for each pilot vineyard. Based on the 20 sites in Sonoma County that participated in the pilot program, up to 2,184 metric tons of CO2 equivalents can be removed annually from the atmosphere.  This is the annual equivalent of charging more than 278 million smart phones or the electricity consumed in 370 American homes or more than 5.4 million miles driven by a passenger vehicle each year. It is estimated that agriculture is responsible for contributing only 8% of California’s Greenhouse Gas emissions but it could lead the nation in carbon sequestration and provide critical benefits to the environment.

    “We take great pride in our environmental leadership and we were honored to be presented the opportunity to be the first agricultural participants in the Climate Adaptation Certification pilot program.  We now know so much more about carbon sequestration than we did just a year ago and the results are really impressive,” said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers.  She added, “Given this success, we are working with CLSI to expand the pilot to include additional vineyard sites around the county. In addition, for consumers who want another reason to feel good about supporting Sonoma County wines, we will soon be launching an educational video series ‘Sonoma County Climate Farmers’ that will showcase the positive impact our local grape growers are having and quick tips on what wine lovers can do at home to join us in being part of the climate solution.”

    CLSI developed the Climate Adaptation Certification program with the goal to limit carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions while focusing on carbon sequestration to improve the health of the soil and the farm.  The program meets both the State of California’s climate goals and the United States’ Department of Agriculture’s Healthy Soil goals.

    “We are really excited about the results generated in this first year.  It shows the value and necessity of a viable agricultural industry in helping the environment,” said Laurel Marcus, executive director of the California Land Stewardship Institute.

    CLSI researchers, using the state-of-the-art model COMET Farm, provided growers with specific information on soil types, site features, and details of agricultural practices that effect greenhouse gases and carbon sequestration including planting cover crops, tillage, irrigation, and nitrogen use. The pilot program also looked at where natural areas of oaks, creek corridors and wetlands are located on the farm and where additional native plantings could sequester carbon.  Each of winegrowers of the 20 participating vineyards received their own custom land management program developed specifically to address the sequestration of carbon specific to that land.  CLSI’s scientific researchers then worked with growers to answer questions, offer recommendations, and conduct field trials.

    “Participating in the Climate Adaptation program has been a real eye opener for me to better understand the farming solutions available that can make a  difference,” said Duff Bevill, Bevill Vineyard Management.  He added, “It is exciting to learn how best to lower our impact and how we can monitor and determine which changes in our practices optimize carbon sequestration. I look forward to expanding these practices beyond my pilot vineyard to other sites.  As farmers, we have the opportunity to be real climate champions with practical and tangible solutions. ”

    ‘Sonoma County Climate Farmers’ will launch in a couple of weeks and recognize the important role of local climate solutions for our global climate issues.  This first video is from the Sunnyview Vineyard of Dutton Ranch in the heart of the Russian River Valley.  This site is not only unique in its climate adaptation practices, but it is also the home of the Sonoma County Winegrowers office and has received a grant through CDFA to be a demo site to educate growers on sustainability, soil health and climate friendly farming. A new video will be released each month featuring a climate adaptation certification pilot partner. The videos can be seen on the Sonoma County Winegrowers’ YouTube channel.

    About Sonoma County Winegrowers:

    The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, also known as Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), was established in 2006 as a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. SCW has oversight by California Department of Food and Agriculture which supports producer regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world.

    In January 2014, SCW committed to becoming the nation’s first 100% sustainable winegrowing region in 2019. As of September 2019, 99% of the vineyard acreage in Sonoma County has completed certification by a third-party auditor making Sonoma County the most sustainable wine region in the world.  In addition, in 2020, SCW became the exclusive pilot partner for the California Land Stewardship’s Climate Adaptation Certification. This program is a first of its kind for agriculture.  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

  • Wine-Grape Residue May Serve as a Healthy Byproduct

    California produces nearly 4 million tons of world-class wine each year, but with that comes thousands of tons of residue like grape skins, seeds, stems and pulp. What if scientists could harness that viticultural waste to help promote human health?

    Maybe they can, according to new research from food scientists at the University of California, Davis. In a study published in the journal LWT – Food Science and Technology, the team discovered a wealth of potentially health-enhancing compounds and sugar molecules called oligosaccharides within chardonnay wine-grape pomace.

    Oligosaccharides are found in many plant and animal tissues, including human breast milk. Recent advances have revealed oligosaccharides’ vast potential to support intestinal health.

    “We were surprised by the diversity of the oligosaccharides in the chardonnay wine grapes, including the presence of structural elements found in mother’s milk,” said Amanda Sinrod, lead author and a master’s candidate working with Professor Daniela Barile.

    The UC Davis team analyzed the molecular composition of chardonnay residue provided by Jackson Family Wines and Sonomaceuticals, a company founded by two food industry businesswomen to develop new uses for viticulture waste. Wine-grape pomace, or marc, comprises about 30 percent of the original wine-grape material, and much of it is left to decompose in the sun.

    Potential source for food or supplements

    “It’s all about sustainable wine production and finding a second life for wine grapes,” Barile explained. “Up to this point, chardonnay marc has been regarded as a byproduct of winemaking with little or no value. Early results are encouraging that marc could be a valuable source for oligosaccharides and other compounds that support health and nutrition.”

    UC Davis researchers were among the first to decode the magic of oligosaccharides in mother’s milk. The sugar molecules don’t nourish the baby directly. Instead, they feed a strain of bacteria in the infant’s intestines that helps build immunity against illness and disease. That discovery is helping scientists develop methods and products to improve human health.

    Barile’s lab innovates technologies for recovering health-enhancing compounds from various agricultural and industrial waste streams, such as whey, legumes and chickpeas. Her team previously discovered oligosaccharides in both red and white wine residue and is pleased with preliminary findings from the chardonnay analysis.

    “There is more research to be done, but early results are promising that chardonnay marc can become a source for developing supplements and other food products to support health,” Barile said.

    Oligosaccharides appeared to be especially abundant in the wine-grape skins. In earlier research, scientists detected oligosaccharides in the finished wine product, but not in large concentrations. Researchers didn’t include bottled wine in this study.

    The chardonnay marc samples were also rich in flavonoids, healthy compounds found in many fruits and vegetables. Researchers are exploring whether the oligosaccharides work independently or synergistically with these bioactive compounds to support intestinal health. The team is studying how growing conditions, vintages and processing might affect the health potential of viticulture waste.

    “We observed significant differences in the relative abundance and type of oligosaccharides in different parts of the marc, so further research is needed to maximize their potential in food product design,” Sinrod said.

    The UC Davis team included Cooperative Extension Specialist Selina Wang and Xuequi Li with the Olive Center, and Mrittika Bhattacharya and Bruna Paviani with the Department of Food Science and Technology. — By Diane Nelson, UC Davis

  • Lodi Winegrape Commission Extends Partnership with SommFoundation (Upcoming Sustainable Winegrowing Event)

    The Lodi Winegrape Commission is pleased to announce its continued partnership with SommFoundation, one of the industry’s most progressive nonprofit organizations dedicated to the enrichment of wine and spirits professionals through travel, scholarships, and education. In partnership, the Lodi Winegrape Commission will provide a virtual masterclass on sustainable viticulture and LODI RULES – the first comprehensive and, arguably, most rigorous sustainability standard in the country. Participants of the virtual masterclass will have the opportunity to earn scholarships toward furthering wine education and certifications through an online timed test.

    Led by award-winning author and speaker, Elaine Chukan Brown, “Boots On the Ground: A Masterclass in Sustainable Viticulture & LODI RULES,” will take place virtually on Monday, May 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PDT. This seminar will dig into the unique perspective that goes into farming for both quality and longevity in one of California’s most important and dynamic growing regions. Throughout the masterclass, Brown will be joined by various Lodi growers who are leading the way in sustainability, quality winemaking, habitat restoration, water reclamation, and more. Among others, guest speakers will include winegrowers Madelyn Kolber (KG Vineyard Management) and Phil Abba (Abba Vineyards), and Aaron Lange (LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyard).

    “We’re thrilled to continue our partnerships with the SommFoundation and Elaine, and especially excited to highlight our sustainable winegrowing program, LODI RULES,” says Stuart Spencer, Executive Director for the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “Sustainability is not a buzzword in Lodi; it is a way of life and is crucial to the longevity of the region.”

    Registration is open to all wine industry trade members. Following the completion of the masterclass, registered attendees will be granted a one-time access to an online timed test. The test will cover information from the masterclass and it will be scored by the most correct answers given in the shortest amount of time. The top three scorers will receive the following scholarships, to be applied toward wine education as well as access to SommFoundation’s Global Diagram of Wine: 

     
    First place: $1,000
    Second place: $750
    Third place: $500

     

    Winners will be announced by SommFoundation following the close of the online test.

    To register for the masterclass on sustainable viticulture and LODI RULES, click here.

    About the Lodi Winegrape Commission

    Established in 1991, the Lodi Winegrape Commission represents the common interests of Lodi winegrowers with programs in marketing, education, research, and sustainable viticulture.  The Commission collectively and effectively promotes Lodi’s vibrant, multi-generational farming community and California’s most dynamic wine region. Comprised of nine commissioners and nine alternates, the board of directors provides direction and input on behalf of the region’s 750 winegrowers. For more information about the Lodi Winegrape Commission, visit lodigrowers.com. 

    About the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA) and LODI RULES

    A historic winegrowing region since the 1850s, Lodi is perfectly situated 40 miles south of Sacramento and 90 miles east of San Francisco. Lodi’s Mediterranean climate and distinct soils allow its growers to cultivate 125 winegrape varieties, making Lodi the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States. The region also serves as home to 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.

    Lodi is naturally a leader in sustainable viticulture. Created by California farmers and accredited by world-renowned scientists, LODI RULES is America’s original sustainable winegrowing program. Held to a high standard of scientific rigor and excellence, the program emphasizes environmentally and socially responsible practices, while keeping economic feasibility in mind for long-term business success. LODI RULES is accredited, certified, and audited by an independent third party, Protected Harvest. Vineyards are certified on an annual basis, and wineries may use one of three LODI RULES seals on a wine label if at least 85% of the grapes are from LODI RULES certified vineyards. Today, there are more than 55,000 acres certified across 16 California crush districts (Lodi included), Washington, and Israel. For more information about the Lodi AVA or LODI RULES, visit lodiwine.com and lodirules.org.

    About SommFoundation

    SommFoundation (The Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation) is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, committed to assisting aspiring beverage professionals to achieve their full potential. To learn more, visit sommfoundation.com.

  • Optimizing Yield of Young Pinot Grigio Vines

    Recently planted Pinot Grigio and wondering how much yield to prepare for in its early years? Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Advisor George Zhuang as he shares some key insights for growers from a San Joaquin Valley perspective. Read more in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.