California Ag Network

Category: Grape Industry

  • Wine Growers Honored with Sixth Annual California Green Medal

    The California Green Medal winners have been announced for the Sixth annual Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. The California Green Medal recognizes the leadership of wineries and vineyards committed to sustainability and is presented by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers and Vineyard Team. Four Green Medals are presented in the following categories: Leader, Environment, Community and Business. The recipients of the Green Medal Awards will be honored at a ceremony at the California State Capitol in Sacramento in the coming months.

    Winners of the 2020 Green Medals are:

    LEADER AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that excels in the three “E’s” of sustainability—Environmentally sound, socially Equitable and Economically viable practices.

    Winner: J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

    With wineries in Paso Robles, San Jose and Greenfield, family-owned and operated J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines embodies leadership in all three aspects of sustainability – environment, community and business; all of its vineyards and wineries are Certified California Sustainable. The winery has been instrumental in several groundbreaking water efficiency initiatives, using innovative technologies to increase irrigation efficiency and recycle process water. In J. Lohr’s Paso Robles winery, they reduced the amount of water needed to make one gallon of wine from 3.5 to 1.3 gallons. The winery has also invested heavily in energy-efficient technologies, with a 756 KW solar (photovoltaic) tracking system that supplies 65% of electrical needs in Paso Robles and a 920.7 KW flat mount system that covers nearly 100% of energy needs at its new winery in Greenfield. Owl boxes, located every 30 to 40 acres in all of its vineyards, provide gopher control; while songbird boxes are installed to attract native species for biodiversity. J. Lohr has carried out extensive habitat and riverbank restoration along 3,900 feet of the Napa River that borders its Carol’s Vineyard in St. Helena.

    On the social aspect of sustainability, J. Lohr was one of the first vineyard companies to provide long-term employment and year-round health benefits to vineyard workers and their families. It also provides ongoing career education for all associates and an employee garden. A 16-member J. Lohr Sustainability Committee guides company-wide efforts and best practices, and employee newsletters and online Town Hall meetings keep associates informed and engaged in sustainability efforts. With a philosophy of “raising all boats,” J. Lohr shares knowledge and experience, invests money and time in research and educational infrastructure, participates and serves in leadership roles in policy, industry and trade organizations, and supports local and national charities and non-profits devoted, in part, to family health and well-being. Since its founding in 1974, J. Lohr has been a conscientious partner and leader in every aspect of the wine business – in the true spirit of cooperation and the desire to build a better, forward-looking sustainable wine industry.

    ENVIRONMENT AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices

    Winner: Bonterra Organic Vineyards

    With a deep respect for the environment, Bonterra Organic Vineyards in Mendocino County has been farming organically for more than 30 years. Bonterra’s green roots run deep and are exemplified in the winery’s approach to defining, measuring and growing its sustainability impact, as well as examining ways to continue to innovate and lead sustainability efforts in the wine industry. What initially began as an exploration of how organic farming could bring enhanced vitality to vineyards and wine has in recent years evolved into a deeper project at Bonterra, with the aim of understanding how wine growing can produce resilient, biodiverse landscapes and positive climate impacts.

    Bonterra’s focus today is regenerative agriculture, a practice that helps restore ecosystems through farming – comprising methods such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, compost application, animal grazing, integrated pest management, wildlife integration and wildland conservation – ultimately increasing soil fertility and enhancing the resilience of Bonterra’s vineyards. Made in a Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing winery, Bonterra operates entirely on green energy, its facility is certified Zero Waste and CarbonNeutral®, and it logged significant reductions in water, energy use and emissions in the winery’s most recent sustainability reporting period. Bonterra’s glass is made from 35% recycled material and it is actively expanding alternative packaging offerings including cans, bag-in-box and kegged offerings. The winery—whose parent company is the world’s largest wine company certified as a B Corporation—also looks beyond its own practices to its supply chain, working with grower partners to convert to organic farming practices.

    COMMUNITY AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that is a Good Neighbor & Employer using the most innovative practices that enhance relations with employees, neighbors and/or communities.

    Winner: Clif Family Winery

    Clif Family Vineyard Winemaker Laura Barrett

    Clif Family Winery’s approach to sustainability is to build a company that sustains and regenerates its people, the planet and its community, while creating engaging food and wine brands that sell, and building a successful profitable business. Every decision made is aimed at achieving its Five Aspirations, dedicated to business, brands, people, community and planet. Certified to Napa Green, Clif Family’s achievements include practices to support the local community through philanthropy, community service and many other activities. In 2019, the winery supported 344 charities through product and time donations and donated 20% of proceeds to local non-profits through its Sip and Support program. They close the business one day/year for community service, and the staff has served 950 volunteer hours. In addition, Clif Family Winery offers employees generous benefits (medical/dental/vision, an Employee Assistance Program, life insurance, continuing education) in addition to more unusual opportunities such as a $75 wellness stipend per month, $100 reimbursement for National Parks Passes and annual performance bonuses measured against its Five Aspirations. Equally important is the winery’s approach to the stewardship of natural resources, including conservation of water, biodiversity, energy and soil, as well as the investment in renewable energy.

    BUSINESS AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.

    Winner: Pisoni Family Vineyards

    Now in the hands of the third generation, Pisoni Family’s holistic and inclusive approach to practicing sustainability in their vineyards and winery in the Santa Lucia Highlands began with their grandparents, Eddie & Jane Pisoni, who started the family farming legacy in 1952. Their ethos is that the best approach to having a successful sustainability program is to be inclusive, transparent and open to new ideas. “Leaders don’t dictate—they inspire.” Examples of their focus on efficiency include monitoring every drop of water applied to their vineyards, and recording annual water usage, winter rain fall, shoot tip growth, leaf angle and vine color. To conserve water, a pressure bomb tracks leaf water potential, soil moisture probes are placed at different soil depths, the Tule System measures evapotranspiration and distribution uniformity tests are regularly conducted.

    In 2018, they installed a solar system which meets 80% of their electricity needs and offsets 240,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year. In addition, they upgraded winery lighting to LED and use variable frequency drive pumps in the vineyard to improve efficiency. The Pisoni Family welcomes local students and visitors from around the globe to visit their 1.5-acre insectary garden to learn about sustainable practices. When it comes to environmental stewardship and sustainability, Pisoni Family leads by doing and by being inclusive. A SIP-Certified vineyard, Pisoni Family loves their land as much as they love their community in Monterey County. It is through sustainability that they hope to give back for many generations to come.

    “The Green Medal recognizes the commitment and dedication to sustainability by California growers and vintners and shines a spotlight on industry leaders,” said Allison Jordan, CSWA Executive Director. “Once again, the judging panel was impressed by the breadth and depth of sustainable practices being used by growers and vintners across the state to conserve water and energy, maintain healthy soil, protect air and water quality, preserve wildlife habitat and enhance relations with employees and communities, all while improving the economic vitality of vineyards and wineries and growing and making high quality wine.”

    Congratulations to these outstanding growers, examples and friends to the industry!

  • USDA-APHIS Impact Report: Protecting 900 Million Acres of Farmland

    The USDA seal includes the inscription “Agriculture is the foundation of manufacturing and commerce.” It’s fair to say that it is also the foundation of a stable and caring society because agriculture feeds and clothes the people. For nearly 50 years, it’s been the job of APHIS to protect American agriculture’s ability to feed and clothe the world by keeping it healthy. Every American and untold millions of people around the world benefit from healthy and profitable U.S. farms and ranches. It is my honor on behalf of over 8,400 employees, working in all 50 States, 4 territories, and 35 countries to report to you on APHIS’ accomplishments in 2019. Some of the highlights include:

    • 100 percent of the United States is now free of the plum pox virus, thanks to the work of Plant Protection and Quarantine, ending a 20-year battle with the most devastating viral disease of stone fruit worldwide.
    • Unlike those in many countries, Americans don’t have to face African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, because Veterinary Services ensured there were no incursions of these most devastating of foreign animal diseases.
    •  More than 700 million air passengers flew more safely because Wildlife Services protected them from wildlife strikes at more than 870 U.S. airports and military bases around the globe.
    •  Dogs in breeding operations, primates in research projects, and zoo animals all were safer and healthier because 99 percent of Animal Welfare Act (AWA) licensees and registrants are in substantial compliance thanks to inspections, guidance, and outreach by Animal Care.
    •  All Americans have a more abundant and more affordable food supply, and many others overcame devastating hardships, because more than 1,300 APHIS employees took time away from their families, homes, and regular duties to fight 38 emergency incidents like pest and disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other threats to U.S. agriculture and health and safety.

    And that’s just a small representation of the things reflected in our 2019 Impact Report. Please consider these numbers:

    • APHIS protected 900 million acres of U.S. farmland.
    • APHIS made it possible for $137 billion in U.S. agricultural exports to move around the world.
    • APHIS helped keep 21.6 million Americans employed in U.S. agriculture, food, and related industries.

    I hope you’ll take some time to review the APHIS 2019 Impact Report to find out more about the impact of

    our work across the nation and worldwide.

     

    You can also find more information about the impact of APHIS’ work by viewing the short videos linked below. Our Deputy Administrators tell the story of an agency with many missions, but one common purpose: keeping the American people fed, clothed, and safe.

    Kevin Shea

    Administrator

     

     

    Deputy Administrator Video Messages:

     

    Animal Health 

    Deputy Administrator Burke Healey

     

    Animal Welfare

    Deputy Administrator Betty Goldentyer

     

    Biotechnology

    Deputy Administrator Bernadette Juarez

     

    Global Trade

    Deputy Administrator Cheryle Blakely

     

    Plant Health

    Deputy Administrator Osama El-Lissy

     

    Wildlife Damage Management

    Deputy Administrator Janet Bucknall

     

  • How to Successfully Convert to Year-round Vineyard Mechanization

    The journey to year-round mechanization in the vineyard can be a rough one, but it is worthwhile, according to Greg Gonzalez, Director of Vineyard Operations and Scheid Family Wines.. One may wonder where to start or how to maintain the same or better quality compared to traditional methods. Watch this brief interview with Greg as he shares his journey to mechanization as well as some key considerations.  Read more about vineyard mechanization in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Wine Market Dynamics with Turrentine Brokerage: Time to Evolve

    The global wine market is constantly evolving along with the demands of today’s consumers, as growers and wine industry stakeholders were clearly reminded at the recent Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento. Obviously, growers can’t change their vineyards/varietals as quickly as the markets changes; however, watch this brief interview for some considerations from Steve Fredricks from Turrentine Brokerage, and read more about the current state of the grape and wine industry in the March Crush Report issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • What You May Not Know About the Pierce’s Disease Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Control Program

    It’s getting to be time soon for California grape growers to vote on the continuation of the Pierce’s Disease Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Control Program. You may not feel that Pierce’s Disease is a threat to your vineyard, but other pests and disease are.  Watch this brief interview with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers as he shares about some new pests and diseases covered under this program that may soon otherwise become a threat to your vineyard.  Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and tell them you saw them on California Ag Network.

  • California FSA Now Offers Assistance from Losses due to Grapevine Leafroll Disease

    The USDA California Farm Service Agency State Committee has approved Grapevine Leafroll Disease (GLD) under the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Vineyard producers who incurred vineyard losses due to GLD will be able to sign-up under the Tree Assistance Program.

    Producers may sign up for Grapevine Leafroll Disease (GLD) at any time in their local county office. The deadline to apply for losses is 90 days after the loss became apparent to the producer. Producers applying for losses due to GLD must adhere to all TAP eligibility requirements.

    TAP was authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 as a permanent disaster program. TAP provides cost share financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters or plant disease which now includes Grapevine Leafroll Disease (GLD).

    Important: TAP requires preliminary inspections, including environmental compliance, prior to ground disturbance. Producers interested in the TAP program are advised to not conduct any ground disturbance (including, but not limited to, removal of vines, trellis and stakes) prior to obtaining permission from the FSA County Executive Director (CED) where the ground is located. Disturbing the ground prior to release by the CED will result in ineligibility for program benefits.

    To qualify for TAP:

    • The orchardists must suffer a qualifying tree loss in excess of 15 percent mortality from GLD, plus an adjustment for normal mortality (3%).
    • The eligible vineyards must have been owned when the GLD occurred; however, eligible growers are not required to own the land on which the eligible vineyards were planted.
    • The owner must provide evidence that trees existed and were lost due to GLD.
    • Receipts must be provided for actual expenses associated with removal, purchase and planting of vineyards.
    • An individual or entity’s average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) cannot exceed $900,000
    • Other program and payment eligibility may apply

     

    If the TAP application is approved, the eligible vineyards must be replaced within 12 months from the date the application is approved.

    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

  • 2020 Winegrowing Season Begins in Sonoma County

    As warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine continue to dominate the local forecast, signs of an early grape growing season have been observed in Sonoma County.

     

    Over the past week, several winegrowers throughout Sonoma County have spotted “bud break” in vineyards. This annual event in the lifecycle of grapevines is apparent when small green buds that are fuzzy in appearance first appear on the vine. Typically, this signals that vineyards are coming out of the dormant state they assume during the winter months, and that the year’s vintage is under way.

     

    One concern of an early bud break is potential damage to the vines should a late-season frost appear in spring. Grapevines are more susceptible to frost damage after they have awakened from dormancy. “Bud break is a welcome sign as long as weather remains mild,” said Duff Bevill of Bevill Vineyard Management, “Once the buds pop, you’re vulnerable to frost.”

    While bud break generally begins in March, it is not uncommon to see it as early as February. In 2019, a much colder, wet winter saw the start of the season in mid-March. In 2018 bud break started in mid-February.

     

    “This year’s appearance of bud break is a little earlier than our local winegrowers would consider ‘average,’” commented Karissa Kruse, President of Sonoma County Winegrowers, “However, a late February bud break is not uncommon in warm, sunny years. It’s always exciting to see the vines come out of dormancy and kick off the vintage. This early spring weather has also been an welcome invitation for wine lovers to come visit our vineyards and wineries and enjoy the sun.”

     

    The appearance of bud break has been reported in Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley and Petaluma Gap. With more warm temperatures in the forecast this week, bud break is expected to be more widely reported in the coming days.

     

    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 12, 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.  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

  • Will Declining Raisin Grape Acreage Lead to Higher Raisin Prices?

    California raisin growers have been disappointed this year with the raisin market after coming off of record high raisin prices the year before.  Is this price volatility expected to last, and will the continued removal of raisin acreage impact future pricing? Watch this brief interview with Steve Kister, Chairman of Board with Sun-Maid Growers, and read more about it in the February issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and tell them you saw them on California Ag Network.

  • PD/GWSS Board Designates Spotted Lanternfly as a Pest of Winegrapes

    The Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (PD/GWSS) Board officially added the spotted laternfly (SLF) to its list of designated pests and diseases, making it eligible for research and outreach funding.

     

    “The best quarantine efforts happen at the points of origin. By showing that this is a pest we don’t want in California, we have a better chance of getting cooperation and action to control its spread,” said Roger Spencer, Pierce’s Disease Control Program acting statewide coordinator.

    The SLF, a native to Asia, was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014. It is spreading rapidly and the PD/GWSS Board has been closely following the situation. The pest is primarily known to feed on the tree-of-heaven, but has a wide host range including grapes. It is considered a high risk pest due to its mobility, with eggs and adults easily transported long distances by normal trade and transportation activities, making it a concern for grape growers nationwide. Learn more about the spotted laternfly.

  • World’s Best Vineyards to be Announced in Sonoma Wine Country this Summer

    First 100% sustainability, now host of the World’s Best Vineyards — Sonoma County Winegrowers is on a roll and proud to be the World’s next host of the announcement of the top 50 vineyards across the globe.  Watch this brief interview with Karissa Kruse, President of Sonoma County Winegrowers for more details, and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and tell them you saw them on California Ag Network.