California Ag Network

Category: Grape Industry

  • Mira Winery Announces Ed Thralls as President

    Mira Winery, which produces a limited amount of hand crafted, all natural wines, each a singular expression of unique grapes, announced today that Ed Thralls is joining the team as President. The hiring follows the opening of Mira winery and hospitality house last fall on the 16-acre estate just south of Yountville in the heart of the Napa Valley.

    “Ed has the one two punch of extensive wine business experience and in-depth understanding of high quality winemaking that will only accelerate the establishment of Mira as one of the world’s leading producers of fine wines,” said Jim “Bear” Dyke, Mira Proprietor. “Ed elevates an already exceptional team and I am thrilled he is joining us.”

    Thralls came to Mira from Benovia Winery where he served as General Manager, driving Benovia’s high-growth consumer-focused business model and creating a world-class customer service reputation, directing all sales, marketing, hospitality, finance and business operations for the winery as well as production planning for the 72 acres of organically or sustainably farmed estate vineyards. Prior to that role, he served as the director of consumer sales & marketing Flowers Vineyards & Winery and Huneeus Vintners. 

    Mira recently announced they were incorporating the Western Hemisphere’s only wooden egg wine fermentation tank at their new winery in Yountville, CA as another component of their innovation and commitment to the highest quality wines. This unique vessel called “Ovum” by its creator, French cooperage Tonnellerie Taransaud, joins Mira’s custom designed hand-crafted tank cellar and adds an exciting new facet to Mira’s pure, terroir-driven winemaking.

    Thralls holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Science from the University of Florida, an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University and brings more than 25 years of combined experience in both wine and financial technology industries. He studied winemaking at UC Davis and is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW).

    The “Miracle” of Mira

    In 2009 entrepreneur Jim “Bear” Dyke and winemaker Gustavo A. Gonzalez launched Mira Winery and began to produce limited production single vineyard 100% varietal wines that are interesting, balanced and a true reflection of their place, varietal, and season. Mira is the Latin root of miracle. Mira opened a new winery and hospitality house at 6170 Washington Street in August of 2019 and takes tour and tasting reservations by appointment only. For more information on Mira, please visit our website http://www.miranapa.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

  • 2020 Paso Robles Wine Industry Persons of the Year

    Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance — We are thrilled to announce the 2020 Paso Robles Wine Industry Persons of the Year awardees, founders and owners of Peachy Canyon Winery, the Beckett Family!

    This award, bestowed by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA), annually recognizes an individual(s) who exemplify the spirit of Paso Robles Wine Country with outstanding leadership, vision, and stewardship. This award is typically presented at the PRWCA’s Annual Gala, which will not take place this year due to limitations on large gatherings. Instead, the Beckett Family, including Doug and Nancy Beckett, Jake Beckett, and Josh Beckett, will be honored in an upcoming Where Wine Takes You podcast as well as an episode of the weekly Paso Wine Zoom Hangout. An in-person celebration to honor the Beckett family will take place in the future once large gatherings are able to take place.

    “We would like to thank the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, its members and associates, for recognizing the Beckett family and our involvement in promoting Paso Robles Wine Country,” said Doug and Nancy Beckett, Founders of Peachy Canyon Winery. “Together, we sincerely appreciate this honor.”

    Nancy and Doug Beckett moved to Paso Robles in 1982 seeking a life in the country. In 1984, Doug’s love of wine led him to a job making wine with Pat Wheeler at Tobias Winery. In 1988, Doug and Nancy founded Peachy Canyon Winery. Over the years Peachy Canyon Winery grew into a multi-state distributed brand, bringing the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA) name to many markets both nationally and internationally.

    “Thank you to everyone in the Paso Wine community. My family and I are grateful to be a part of something very special. We will carry this special recognition as a part of who we are for generations to come. Cheers!” said Josh Beckett, Winemaker and Director of Viticulture. Jake Beckett, General Manager, followed up, “This is a huge honor. I am humbled and thankful to be a part of this community.”

    Brothers Josh and Jake Beckett returned to join the family business after college, Josh in 1998 and Jake in 2000. Josh took on winemaking duties at the family brand and Jake manned the tractor in the vineyard as well as took to the road further establishing Peachy Canyon Winery as a national brand. In 2008, Josh and Jake partnered together to start their own winery, Chronic Cellars. In 2010, they left Peachy Canyon to dedicate themselves to Chronic Cellars full-time. Their success was swift and quickly recognized, attracting WX Brands to purchase Chronic Cellars. The timing was serendipitous when Doug decided he was ready to retire and his sons returned to take the reins in April of 2019. Jake Beckett now serves as Peachy Canyon’s General Manager and Josh has reprised his former role as Winemaker and Director of Viticulture.

    The Beckett family is committed to the local community as well as the greater wine industry. Doug and Nancy Beckett are dedicated to the arts in Paso Robles with both serving on the board and supporting the Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation (PRYAF). Nancy has served as the President of the PRYAF in the past and is still actively involved in their leadership. Doug and Nancy are also larger contributors and supporters to the Cancer Support Community – California Central Coast. Doug, Josh, and Jake have all served on the board of directors for the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers, an organization that promotes and protects California’s heritage wine grape variety.

    The annual Paso Robles Wine Industry Person(s) of the Year award is voted on by the membership of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. Members are comprised of wineries, vineyards, and related businesses. The PRWCA Board of Directors is the nominating body for this annual honor that was established in 1990. – By Jennifer Bravo, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance

  • Allied Grape Growers Hires Michael Haddox as Manager of Central Coast Operations

    Allied Grape Growers (AGG) has named Michael Haddox as its manager of Central Coast operations. The newly-created position expands AGG’s managerial grape sales team, which currently consists of positions in the North Coast, North Valley and Central Valley.

    In his new role, Haddox will oversee business development in the Central Coast, consisting primarily of winegrape marketing and sales as well as bulk wine production.

    Haddox comes to AGG with nearly 25 years of experience in the wine industry. Previously, he was a senior winery relations manager and winemaker in the Central Coast for Agajanian Vineyards & Wine Company, where he also oversaw grape and bulk wine sourcing. Haddox has also worked in grower relations and other positions for well-known, multinational vintners based in California and abroad. During his career, he has managed millions of dollars in grape contracts; monitored grape production; built and maintained strong relationships with growers, vintners and winemakers; informed growers regarding winery marketing strategies and programs; and fostered an extensive network within the industry.

    AGG President Jeff Bitter said, “Michael brings to the job diverse and far-reaching knowledge of the California wine industry, from vineyards to the cellar to the bottle. We are excited to welcome Michael into the loyal family of AGG employees. Michael understands AGG’s culture, as we have worked with him over many years as one of our preferred grape buyers. His recent years in the Central Coast will serve AGG well, as we develop a full, self-sustaining portfolio of business under his direction.”

  • E. & J. Gallo Winery Completes Acquisition of Over 30 Brands From Constellation

    E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of more than 30 wine brands from Constellation Brands, Inc.  The closing of the agreement between Gallo and Constellation was approved by the Federal Trade Commission on December 23, 2020.

    The acquisition includes well known wine brands such as Arbor Mist, Black Box, Clos du Bois, Estancia, Franciscan, Hogue, Manischewitz, Mark West, Ravenswood, Taylor, Vendange, and Wild Horse that will join the Gallo portfolio. With this acquisition, Gallo will expand its operational footprint with the addition of five wineries located in California, Washington, and New York, along with Constellation’s Polyphenolics business. Gallo will also acquire the Nobilo New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc brand in a separate transaction with Constellation.

    “The closing of this transaction represents our company’s long-term commitment to the wine industry,” said Chief Executive Officer, Ernest J. Gallo. He added, “We are pleased to welcome the new employees joining the Gallo family.”

    The acquisition was first announced by Gallo and Constellation on April 3, 2019. Pursuant to the FTC consent order, Gallo will also divest two of its legacy dessert brands, Fairbanks and Sheffield, to Precept Brands LLC. Terms of the transaction between Gallo and Precept were not disclosed.

    About E. & J. Gallo Winery
    Founded by brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo in 1933 in Modesto, California, E. & J. Gallo Winery is a family-owned winery with more than 7,000 global employees and is the acclaimed producer of award-winning wines and spirits featured in more than 110 countries around the globe.  A pioneer in the art of grape growing, winemaking, sustainable practices, marketing and worldwide distribution, Gallo crafts and imports wines and spirits to suit a diverse range of tastes and occasions, from everyday offerings to boutique, luxury bottlings.

    The Gallo portfolio is comprised of more than 100 unique brands, including Barefoot Cellars, Dark Horse, and Gallo Family Vineyards, as well as premium box wines The Naked Grape and Vin Vault.  Premium offerings include Apothic, Carnivor, Chateau Souverain, Columbia Winery, Ecco Domani, Edna Valley Vineyard, J Vineyards & Winery, Louis M. Martini, MacMurray Estate Vineyards, Mirassou, Orin Swift, Talbott Vineyards, and William Hill Estate, along with highly acclaimed imports, such as Alamos, Brancaia, La Marca, Las Rocas, Martín Códax, Whitehaven, and LUX Wines, importers of Allegrini, Argiano, Jermann, Pieropan and Renato Ratti.  Gallo Spirits currently offers New Amsterdam Vodka and Gin, Familia Camarena Tequila, RumHaven, Lo-Fi Aperitifs, E&J Brandy, Argonaut Brandy, Germain-Robin Brandy, Diplomático Rum, as well as imported Scotch whiskies from Whyte & Mackay, including The Dalmore, Jura and John Barr.

  • Tito Sasaki Honored with the 2020 California Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Award

    Sonoma County Farm Bureau — Tito Sasaki, a Sonoma Valley grape grower, scientist, and businessman, 35-year member and past president of Sonoma County Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County, is the recipient of the 2020 California Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Award.

    The California Farm Bureau has presented the Distinguished Service Award annually since 1953 to dedicated Farm Bureau members from California. Over the last century, Farm Bureau has had dozens of strong leaders. However, few have devoted the time and energy that Tito Sasaki has given, which is why he is so deserving of this recognition. This is the first time a member from Sonoma County has received this award.

    With humility and a strong community spirit, Sasaki said he was honored to receive such a recognition.

    “I am most appreciative of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s generosity in recommending me for the award,” Sasaki said. “If I were still on the Board, I would have recommended instead, the whole Sonoma County Farm Bureau— its members, staff, and the board. Perhaps, it doesn’t make much difference. I am, after all, accepting this honor on behalf of our Farm Bureau family.”

    Jeff Carlton, former Sonoma County Farm Bureau President who nominated Sasaki for the award, described Sasaki as “widely respected by both Farm Bureau members and elected officials, who value his intelligence and grasp of complex issues.”

    After receiving several postgraduate degrees and a successful career in engineering and quantum mechanics, Tito Sasaki joined the Sonoma County Farm Bureau in 1985, after he and his wife bought their ranch and began to revive a neglected vineyard on the property. 

    Sasaki said soon after moving to Sonoma County he came to realize the tremendous value of Farm Bureau and its crucial role in representing farmers’ interests, protecting property rights, and preserving agriculture for future generations. Farm Bureau, he said, provides the structure for farmers to work together to tackle important issues.

    For several decades, Sasaki worked tirelessly on water issues in Sonoma County. He devoted much of his time to developing water solutions and strategies, namely a balance between the water needs of farmers, fish, and urban residents. His work with the County was integral for the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. He was also a member and past Chairman of Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Water Committee and a member of the Natural Resources Committee.

    Sasaki has served as a one-of-a-kind leader who is passionate about securing agriculture’s future in Sonoma County. His efforts, undoubtedly, helped to ensure a bright future for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. In 2019, Tito’s many contributions to agriculture were honored with his induction into the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Hall of Fame. The prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made a real and lasting difference in preserving and protecting Sonoma County’s agriculture industry and the county’s 500,000 acres of farmland.

    “There are not many people who know and understand the issues in agriculture as well as Tito. During his years on the Farm Bureau Board, he devoted countless hours to the agricultural industry, going to meeting after meeting to represent the interests of our members,” Carlton said.

    He said Tito is widely respected by both Farm Bureau members and elected officials who value his intelligence and grasp of complex issues. 

    Those who have worked with Tito over the years say his keen intelligence, analytical skills, and bulls-eye business acumen were put to good use in defining the issues and defending the rights and livelihoods of farmers and landowners.

    Not surprisingly, those who worked closely with Sasaki during his many years of service to Farm Bureau and the Sonoma County community-at-large joined in congratulating him for receiving much-deserved award.

    “Leaders often emerge when we need them the most. Tito Sasaki exemplifies that rise to leadership in a time of need. Early on Tito realized that water would be the dominant issue of the time in Sonoma County, throughout California and the West. He became Farm Bureau’s expert on water issues and worked tirelessly to ensure agricultural interests were represented in crafting water policy,” said Tim Tesconi, retired executive director of Sonoma County. 

    Tesconi said he was always impressed by Sasaki’s brilliant intellect, temperament, and grace.

    “In meeting after meeting on complex water issues, land use, and other topics it became obvious that Tito was the smartest guy in the room. He lent his time and talents to define the issues and defend the rights and livelihoods of farmers and landowners,” said Tesconi

    Former Sonoma County Ag Commissioner Tony Linegar said that he enjoyed his close working relationship with Sasaki.

    “Tito’s strong grasp of complex and technical regulatory issues positioned him as a natural leader for the Farm Bureau in fighting for reasonable and pragmatic solutions to the challenges faced by Sonoma county farmers,” Linegar said. “He has been tireless in his efforts and has gained the respect of countless agency staff for his hard work and acumen.”

    Jay Jasperse, chief engineer and director of groundwater management for the Sonoma County Water Agency, has worked with Tito over the last 15 years on water issues, primarily, implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

    “Tito was one of the first to recognize that agriculture needed to be at the table to represent its interests in a proactive manner on the development of management programs to ensure a stable water supply,” said Jasperse.

    He said that Tito is one of the most impressive people he has ever worked with during his career. 

    “His intellect, work ethic, and his optimistic vision of the future, combined with his wry sense of humor, established him as a respected statewide leader on water matters,” Jasperse said. “I wish Tito the very best in his well-earned retirement and congratulate him on a job well done.”

    California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson said that Sasaki has worked passionately on Sonoma County water issues for more than 20 years.

    “He has devoted much of his time to developing water solutions and strategies, namely a balance among the water needs of farmers, fish, and urban residents,” Johansson said, noting his recent work in the county on implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

    Johansson said that Sasaki’s reach and influence extended beyond Sonoma County.

    “Tito regularly communicated with state Farm Bureau leaders and staff as well as California legislators, seeking their expertise and support as he advocated for the agriculture industry and has been keenly focused on statewide issues impacting farmers,” Johansson said.

    Although he has retired from the Farm Bureau board Tito continues to be an ambassador for agriculture and Farm Bureau while he focuses on the next chapter of his life with his wife Janet at their vineyard in Sonoma.

    Tito Sasaki’s California Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Award Acceptance Speech

    Thank you very much for this extraordinary honor. It was an utter surprise to me and my wife Janet as we had no reason to expect it. I know that many of you deserve this honor more than I do. The only difference between us is that you are still contributing whereas I am done, over and out.

    I did work hard when I was with you because it was fun. I enjoyed working not only at Sonoma County Farm Bureau but also at Napa, Marin, and Mendocino County Farm Bureaus as well as at the CFBF. The Farm Bureau, at every locality and level, is our family home where we trust each other and help each other.  One does not live for himself alone.  Only by helping others one can grow and prosper.

    Our battles for water and for the freedom to work on our land will never end. Any victory will be short-lived. Looking back, I was engaged in never-ending struggles. But, you, by working through the Farm Bureau, will have fresh opportunities of winning new battles and improving your production and profit. Profit is essential. Without profit, there will be no freedom. And without freedom, there will be no act of greatness.

    As the pandemic is tearing our social fabric, we need first to make sure we are on solid ground; then we should boost our contribution to society by creative means. I trust you will keep fighting for agriculture, keep working with each other, and make the best use of your hard-earned freedom. You will, and that’s why this Award should really belong to you all. — By Brytann Busick, Sonoma County Farm Bureau

  • Vie-Del Company Completes Acquisition Of Constellation Brands’ High-Color And Standard Grape Concentrate Business Lines

    Vie-Del Company (Vie-Del), the oldest family-owned grape processor and supplier of bulk juices, concentrates, brandy, wine and spirits in California, announced today the completion on December 29, 2020 of the acquisition of the Canandaigua Concentrate High-Color Concentrate (HCC) and standard grape concentrate business lines from Constellation Brands U.S. Operations, Inc. (CBUSO), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Constellation Brands, Inc. (Constellation). The transaction was approved by the Federal Trade Commission on December 23, 2020. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

    The acquisition is comprised of the Canandaigua Concentrate MegaNatural HCC, Mega Purple and Mega Red, and standard grape concentrates, which will be incorporated under the Vie-Del Company brand. Additionally, the acquisition included certain intellectual property, inventory, goodwill, interests in certain contracts and other assets.

    “The Canandaigua Concentrate acquisition enhances our already expansive lines of grape juice concentrates and takes Vie-Del into the High-Color Concentrate business with immense opportunity for growth,” said Dianne S. Nury, President of Vie-Del. “Our team of specialists will continue to serve our industry partners, existing and new, with quality products to fuel their growth and the same personalized business approach our family-owned company has delivered for the past 70 years.”

    The acquisition expands Vie-Del’s product offerings and solidifies the company as a leading supplier of High-Color and standard grape concentrates in North America. Together with Vie-Del’s existing concentrate business, these new capabilities will further enhance the company’s ability to serve the needs of the marketplace – domestically and internationally. This is complemented by Vie-Del’s other products that include wine, brandy, grape and fruit spirits, purée and custom fruit concentrates, natural wine flavors and wine reductions. To support this growth, Vie-Del is embarking on a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art facility expansion in the heart of California’s agribusiness region, Fresno County.

    Vie-Del Company Chairman of the Board Mike Nury pictured with President Dianne S. Nury, two generations who have led the company to be the leading North American supplier of grape concentrates, among other product offerings.

    About Vie-Del Company

    Founded in 1946, Vie-Del Company is owned and operated by the Nury family and is one of the oldest California-based grape processors and suppliers of bulk juices, concentrates, brandy, wine and spirits. Led by President, Dianne S. Nury for the past 30 years, Vie-Del also holds title as the largest woman-owned bulk winery, distiller, and fruit juice processor in the United States. The company operates out of two California facilities in Fresno and Kingsburg; its vineyard and winery are certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, acknowledging adherence to international sustainability standards and continuous improvement. Vie-Del additionally produces a variety of other products for the wine, spirit, food and beverage industries – domestically and internationally.

    For more information about Vie-Del Company visit www.vie-del.com and follow on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/vie-del-company) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/viedelcompany).

  • NAPA Valley Grapegrowers & NAPA Valley Farmworker Foundation Reach Millions Through Covid-19 Response

    In the face of this year’s challenges, Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) have maintained a steady focus and commitment to supporting the community through challenging times.

    In 2020, the organizations provided vital information and resources to grape growers, vineyard managers, vineyard workers, and their families. Together, NVG and FWF:

    • Formed a COVID-19 Taskforce to implement a multi-media, cross-county PSA campaign, including daily PSAs aired on Univision and Azteca, a 4-month digital billboard campaign, and a podcast, “Cuidándonos de COVID-19 con Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation”, to educate the community on COVID-19 health & safety

    • Distributed 2,500 COVID-19 Health & Safety Kits to grower and vineyard teams; the kits included a personal thermometer, thermal water bottle, cotton bandana, 9 ounce bottle of hand sanitizer, protective eyewear and anti-fog spray, drawstring bag, and an educational handout on safety protocols in the workplace

    • Contributed funds toward staffing and supplies for the St. Helena Hospital Foundation’s COVID-19 Mobile Testing Van, which visited vineyard sites and provided accessibility to tests for up to 200 farmworkers daily

    • Provided four months of free childcare for children of farmworkers through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley; the program covered all fees and provided the children with meals and remote learning support

    • Distributed 15,000 reusable cloth masks and 25,000 N95 masks to Napa Valley’s vineyard workforce

    • Provided a bilingual library of resources, educational materials, and timely webinars to inform the community about the spread of COVID-19

      Through our work, millions of farm-working families have had access to bilingual COVID- 19 safety information.

      Even as exciting news of vaccines reaches us, we know that there is still more work to be done to carry our community to the other side of the pandemic. Under Napa County’s new stay at home order, agriculture remains an essential business, allowing for vineyard operations to continue. As the situation evolves, so do the resources that NVG and the FWF provide. This includes newly released updates to NVG & FWF’s COVID-19 Safety Protocols that, throughout the pandemic, have provided the farming community with the most comprehensive industry standards for prioritizing the health and safety of vineyard teams. Winter work will pick up again in January, so NVG and the FWF are focused on providing Napa County grape growers and vineyard managers with “Back to Work” safety protocols, tools to reinforce safety best practices to reduce virus transmission, a “Safe Holiday” PSA about avoiding non-essential travel and gatherings, paycheck stuffers promoting health and safety, as well as timely webinars on updates to state and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health mandates, and more.

    NVG and the FWF are looking ahead to the new year with plans to do even more, extend our educational reach, and continue to serve as go-to resources for the Napa Valley grape grower and farmworker communities.

    For more information about NVG and FWF’s 2020 COVID-19 response, view the 2020 Annual Report or visit www.napagrowers.org

  • Bee Habitat Installation on California Vineyards

    Despite the setbacks and challenges brought to every industry by the pandemic this year, our staff has been working closely with four different vineyards in three major winegrape regions of California providing both technical and financial support to help these vineyards achieve Bee Better Certification. This work is a continuation of our efforts to expand Bee Better Certified (BBC) within the wine industry (click here to read more about the project’s launch).

    After months of planning and preparation, we broke ground (literally) on these projects this fall. Throughout the month of October, Bee Better and Xerces Society staff, farm labor crews, and volunteers planted the equivalent of almost a mile of high quality pollinator habitat at the four participating farms. This floral-rich habitat includes a diversity of native plants that will provide pollen and nectar throughout the season and includes host plants for declining species such as the monarch butterfly.

    Locally sourced native plants are sorted and ready to be installed on planting day. (Photo: Jessa Kay Cruz).

    Once the fall rains begin, participating vineyards will also be planting nearly 20 acres of insectary and pollinator cover crops across their vineyards. Blooming cover crops that achieve at least 50% bloom before they are terminated qualify as Temporary Habitat under the Bee Better Certified Production Standards.  Bee Better growers protect both permanent and temporary habitat from pesticides to reduce the impact on visiting pollinators and other wildlife.  For example, blooming cover crops must be past bloom or mowed at least 24 hours before crops are sprayed.

    In addition to creating habitat, certification requires growers to adopt rigorous pesticide risk mitigation practices including discontinuing the use of high risk pesticides, reducing drift, adopting non-chemical pest management practices and including a robust scouting and monitoring protocol as part of their pest management strategy. This ensures that the habitat planted will be protected from pesticide contamination and makes the vineyards overall a more friendly place for pollinators.

    Once all planting is complete, each vineyard will have at least 5% of their total acreage in pollinator habitat.  Each farm, vineyard, and orchard that commits to maintaining 5% of their total acreage in pollinator habitat brings us one step closer to creating an agricultural landscape that is better for bees and other wildlife. — By Jessa Kay Cruz, Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, California and the Intermountain West (Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation)

  • Long-time Wine Industry Leader to Leave Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association

    Chris Chandler, the longest serving executive director of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association (LVWA), will be leaving at the end of the year. She has led the non-profit marketing and membership organization representing wineries, vineyards and businesses in Livermore Valley since the spring of 2007.

    “We have appreciated Chris’ guidance and her capacity through the years to stand with all the wineries, both large and small. Her ability to forge a path through the middle, that benefits everybody has been tremendous. She leaves behind numerous legacies in the Valley,” said Darcie Kent, proprietor of Darcie Kent Vineyards. Her partner, David Kent, noted, “One legacy that stands out in particular is how Chris got up and got going on the downtown wine country hotel. It would have been a very different outcome without her leadership, attention and ability to mobilize a broad section of the community to stand up for what is right and do what was needed to advance our wine country.”

    In 2019, Diablo Magazine featured Chandler as one of “three female power players bringing their A games to our local wine region.” She was devoted to LVWA members and prioritized community and collaboration. Chandler served for several years on the board of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation, which hosts the annual charity auction; the Las Positas College Viticulture & Enology program advisory board, East Bay-Economic Development Alliance (EB-EDA) Marketing and Land Use committees and the Visit Tri- Valley board of directors.

    “Chris has always been willing to partner and advocate on behalf of the hoteliers and wineries in the region,” said Tracy Farhad, CEO of Visit Tri-Valley. “She has served seven years as an invaluable director on the Visit Tri-Valley board, and has long understood and contributed to the larger, regional and national marketing efforts. We will miss her.”

    Under Chandler’s direction, and for the first time in the Association’s history, LVWA pursued and won two grants to support regional marketing. The grants awarded by the United States Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture totaled just under half a million dollars.

    Rachael Snedecor, executive director of Livermore Downtown, Inc. (LDI), said, “Chris and her team established a highly successful media relations program. She always took a collaborative approach and reached out to invite LDI to join in Winegrowers-sponsored FAM tours and media visits to the benefit of not only the wineries but downtown restaurants and businesses as well.”

    Alameda County District Supervisor Scott Haggerty remembers, “We worked with Chris and her team back in 2009 to ensure that they could successfully establish the wine country signage program throughout the Valley.”

    Chandler also successfully led the organization through one of the worst economic recessions on record. “It hasn’t always been easy. The Great Recession of 2008-2009 was difficult on wine regions all over the state, including Livermore Valley, she said. “It was nothing like the hardships of this pandemic, but I am confident that the region’s history, creativity, dedication and heart will carry the Valley forward.”

    Among Chandler’s other important legacies are her work on paving a path to establish the Wine Heritage District that will secure sustainable, long-term funding for marketing the region and the expansion of Taste our Terroir from a single night event into an iconic, four- day celebration of local wine country.

    “It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Livermore Valley’s wineries and vineyards for almost 14 years,” said Chandler. “I’m so proud of everything the members, team, board and I have accomplished together!”

    “The Association thanks Chris for her leadership and dedication over the past 13+ years and we all wish her only the best,” said Amy Hoopes, president of Wente Family Estates and two-term LVWA board president.

    Long-time LVWA Operations and Membership Director Brandi Addington will oversee the organization with support from the board of directors for the foreseeable future.

    Livermore Valley Vineyard at Sunset (Photo by Barry Zupan)

    About the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association

    The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association is a 501(c)6 organization that supports the wineries, growers and members in the Livermore Valley American Viticultural Area through educational and marketing programs. For more information, please visit www.LVwine.org

  • 2020 Grape Crush Report Survey & Smoke Affected Wine Grapes

    California Association of Winegrape Growers — Many California winegrape growers in areas affected by wildfire smoke may wonder how grape prices and tonnage will be reported for the 2020 Grape Crush Report. All California processors who crush grapes should have received a Grape Crush Report questionnaire, which was mailed in October by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)-Division of Marketing Services-Agricultural Statistics Branch.

    For some processors, filling out this year’s questionnaire may be more complicated due to wildfires and smoke affected grapes. Some processors who were uncertain about the quality status of smoke affected winegrapes worked with growers to adjust terms for delivery, crush and payment. These transactions may differ from historical practice and processors may have questions about how to report tonnage and prices paid.

    In situations involving smoke affected winegrapes, processors should refer to CDFA’s frequently asked questions (FAQ) document – How to Report Smoke Affected Grapes. The FAQs address various scenarios processors may have encountered in dealing with potentially smoke affected fruit. The document and other information related to the Grape Crush Report can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/mkt/grapecrush.html.

    “The Grape Crush Report is extraordinarily important to growers and wineries, and it’s essential that information from the 2020 crush is reported timely and accurately,” California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) President John Aguirre said.

    CAWG urges every processor of winegrapes to complete and return their survey promptly. Completed questionnaires are due back to CDFA no later than Jan. 8, 2021.