California Ag Network

Tag: Allied Grape Growers

  • Progress on Prop 1 Funded California Water Projects

    California is in the midst of a serious drought, which is taking a major toll on our local agricultural industries. The Water Quality, Supply & Infrastructure Improvement Act (Prop 1) passed back in 2014, yet no construction of any of the funded projects has commenced.  Watch this brief interview with Emily Rooney from the Ag Council of California as she shares a progress report on these projects and how they will help address California’s water crisis.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • California Wine Grape Planting Trends with Allied Grape Growers

    In addition to the grape crush report, its also nice to get a good picture of where the California wine grape industry currently stands from a vineyard acreage and planting perspective. What varieties are being planted and where in the state? How’s the vineyard planting to removal ratio looking? Watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter from Allied Grape Growers reporting from Unified Wine & Grape Symposium on the results of their annual nursery survey.  Read more about about planting trends and the state of the wine grape industry in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Successful North Coast Grape Harvest Spurs Growth & Investment

    Despite numerous challenges for the wine industry these past few years, Allied Grape Growers was pleased to report all of their North Coast fruit safely harvested and delivered this season. Watch this video with North Coast representative Chad Clark as he also discusses new growth and investment in the region. Read more about it in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine. Watch this video and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Preharvest Conversations Growers & Wineries Need to Have Regarding Smoke Taint

    “Uncertainty” seemed to be the theme of 2020 for all, and it was no different for the wine industry.  Unfortunately, this uncertainty continues this year for wine grape growers as they gear up for harvest amidst another threatening wildfire season.  With severe drought plaguing the American West, it’s not a question of if, but when more wildfires will occur and whether they will compromise the integrity of the wine grape crop with smoke tainting compounds. Many growers fear the possibility of rejections at the winery should their crop be impacted by wildfire events.  To mitigate some of this uncertainty, watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter, President of Allied Grape Growers, as he shares some key insights on some of the conversations growers really need to have with their wineries upfront this year to prepare for potential smoke taint concerns. Also, read a detailed report on the topic in the August issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Vmech for their industry support.

  • 2021 California Grape Harvest & Market Update

    Wine grape harvest has begun in the Central Valley of California. After considerable challenges in both production and the wine grape market last year, how are things looking now and what can we expect for the 2021 vintage? Watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter, President of Allied Grape Growers, as he shares his insights and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Vmech for their industry support.

  • What to Expect from the 2020 California Wine Crop

    Wildfires and smoke exposure aside, what is the 2020 wine grape crop looking like.  Jeff Bitter from Allied Grape Growers reports that the crop could be much smaller than expected with supply and demand returning to a more balanced state.  Watch his brief interview now and be sure to attend Jeff Bitter’s State of the wine grape industry address at American Vineyard’s virtual Central Coast Grape Grape Expo on Nov. 6th and the Central Valley Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo on Nov. 13.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Reality of the Wildfire Impact on the 2020 Winegrape Crop


    Many of our wine grape industry friends and families have been impacted by the recent wildfires, and our hearts and prayers go out to them. Although vineyards tend to act as fire breaks helping to mitigate the spread of these wildfires, growers and winemakers are concerned about what the smoke exposure impact will have on the 2020 vintage.  Please watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter from Allied Grape Growers as he corrects some misconceptions about smoke exposure and clarifies the most likely impact the wildfires will have on the 2020 California crop — and how grape growers should proceed to finish up harvest.  Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Allied Grape Growers’ Emilio Miranda Retires After 44-Year Career

    Emilio Miranda, viticulturist and grower relations representative for Allied Grape Growers (AGG), retired today after four decades in the wine industry.

    Miranda started with AGG in 2004 after working for Constellation Brands from 1997 to 2004 and Paul Masson Vineyards from 1977 to 1997. For AGG members, he provided support, kept them informed about effective viticultural practices and handled harvest scheduling in the Central Valley.

    Throughout his career, Miranda served on numerous industry boards and committees, including the California Winegrape Inspection Advisory Board, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Central California Winegrowers (now San Joaquin Valley Winegrowers Association), American Vineyard Foundation, National Grape & Wine Initiative (now National Grape Research Alliance) and Fresno State Vineyard Evaluation Team. He attended Fresno State from 1973 to 1978 majoring in plant science.

    “I have experienced and appreciated the wine industry from numerous job positions, including vineyard supervisor, cellar supervisor, harvest manager, viticulturist and fieldman. Above all, my most cherished time of year was harvest and bringing in the crop,” Miranda said. “Allied’s strength is helping to keep grape growers economically sustainable, and I was proud to be a part of a successful and hard-working team for the past 16 years.”

    AGG President Jeff Bitter said, “Emilio’s wealth of knowledge accumulated over 44 years in this ever-changing business has been invaluable to AGG. He brought great and diverse perspective to AGG that will be greatly missed, as all of his prior experience was on the winery side of the business. As our viticulturist, he served our growers well. More importantly, he was a friend to all of us.”

  • No Demand for CA Thompson Grapes in the Crush this Year?

    The demand for Central Valley Thompson Seedless grapes in the crush this year is diving to another record low.  Why is this the case and what does it mean for the California wine and raisin industries?  Watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter, President of Allied Grape Growers, and read more about it in the September issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and attend their upcoming Grapevine Clonal Field Days.  Learn more HERE.

  • California Wine Grape Harvest Update with Allied Grape Growers

    How is the 2019 California wine grape crop and harvest progressing?  And what are the current trends in the wine market?  Watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter from Allied Grape Growers and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and attend their upcoming Grapevine Clonal Field Days.  Learn more HERE.