California Ag Network

Tag: natalie collins

  • CAWG Launches California Wine Merchandise for California Wine Month

    California wine represents more than what’s in the bottle. It reflects the thousands of growers, workers, families, and communities who have shaped our state’s wine industry — and a wine growing culture that is distinctly Californian.

    Since 2004, California has marked September as Wine Month, a legislatively recognized tribute to the state’s wines, winegrowing regions, and the people who make them possible.

    While California is home to countless wineries and wine regions with their own identities, there are fewer products built around California wine as a whole.

    To celebrate, the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) has launched a small line of merchandise, giving consumers and those who work in the industry a new way to show their support. Proceeds from the collection will support CAWG’s ongoing advocacy for growers throughout the state.

    “At a time when California’s winegrape growers are facing significant challenges, we need more people talking about California wine, choosing California wine, and recognizing the growers behind every bottle,” said CAWG President Natalie Collins. “This is one small, fun way to help do that.”

    The collection features simple designs created for anyone who loves California wine.

    “California wine is part of a lifestyle and culture that extends well beyond the vineyard,” Collins said. “You don’t have to work in wine to support it. We hope people wear it, share it, and maybe even get others thinking about what’s in their glass and where it comes from.”

    — Story contributed by the California Association of Winegrape Growers

  • American Wine Truth in Labelling Bill Advances

    The California State Assembly approved AB 1585 (Connolly and Ransom), legislation that would require wine labeled “American” and sold or bottled in California to be made entirely from American-grown grapes. The bill passed with bipartisan support on a 67-0 vote and now advances to the California State Senate.

    Sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) and Family Winemakers of California (FWC), AB 1585 would establish a truth-in-labeling standard to improve transparency for consumers and reinforce the integrity of American wine labeling.  Under current labeling regulations, wine labeled “American” may contain up to 25% of foreign-grown grapes while still carrying the American appellation designation.

    “A 67-0 vote sends an unmistakable message: California stands behind its growers, wineries, and farmworkers, and behind honest wine labeling,” said CAWG President Natalie Collins. “AB 1585 is common sense – consumers choosing ‘American’ wine deserve to get American grapes. We’re grateful for the Assembly’s unanimous support and look forward to the Senate taking up this important consumer protection.”

    “Family Winemakers of California is proud to stand alongside CAWG and the more than 400 industry members who have championed this legislation,” said GinaLisa Tamayo, Board President of Family Winemakers of California. “We are encouraged by the Assembly’s strong support and eager to carry this momentum into the Senate.”

      The progress made this week is another step in a legislative process that will continue through August. AB 1585 will next be considered by the California State Senate Governmental Organization Committee in June.

  • CAWG Calls on Industry to Nominate Leaders for Awards of Excellence Program

    The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) is calling on growers and industry members to recognize and celebrate in the Awards of Excellence Program.

    CAWG is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Awards of Excellence Program – an opportunity to highlight the individuals and operations driving the industry forward through innovation, leadership, and resilience. Each year, CAWG presents two awards honoring excellence in winegrowing and industry leadership.

    “These awards shine a spotlight on the people who are not only meeting today’s challenges but rethinking what’s possible for the future of our industry,” said CAWG President Natalie Collins. “Across California, individuals and operations are going above and beyond, and this is an opportunity for the industry to recognize and lift up their peers.”

    The Grower of the Year Award, the highest honor bestowed by CAWG, recognizes individuals, families, or companies who exemplify excellence in viticulture and vineyard management through innovative practices, industry leadership, and consistent production of high-quality winegrapes.

    The Leader of the Year Award honors exceptional individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and made significant contributions to California’s wine industry, including advancing public policy and championing issues critical to winegrape growers.

    CAWG encourages winegrape growers, wineries, and industry partners to nominate colleagues, mentors, and peers whose work is helping move the industry forward.

    Award recipients will be honored at a reception during the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium in Sacramento on January 26, 2027.

    Nominations for the 2027 Awards of Excellence Program are open through June 5, 2026.

    To submit an application or learn more, visit cawg.org.

  • New Fire Insurance Protection-Smoke Index (FIP-SI) Crop Insurance Endorsement for California Grape Growers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released additional details on a new crop insurance endorsement to better protect California wine grape growers from the devastating impacts of wildfire smoke. The Fire Insurance Protection-Smoke Index (FIP-SI) endorsement, developed by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) in collaboration with industry stakeholders, including the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), is set to be available as a pilot program for the 2025 crop year.

    FIP-SI will be available to grape growers in all California counties, with the deadline to sign up for coverage being January 31, 2025.

    The endorsement is designed to provide grape growers with an additional layer of financial protection in the event of significant smoke exposure. This area-wide policy triggers a loss when a minimum number of cumulative Smoke Events occur during the insurance period, as defined in the policy using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Hazard Mapping System Smoke Product.

    “The 2020 wildfires sent shockwaves through the wine industry, with losses from smoke-exposed fruit felt throughout the state. Since that devastating year, we’ve been working diligently to find solutions to better safeguard California’s winegrape growers from the impacts of wildfire smoke,” said Natalie Collins, CAWG President. “The introduction of this targeted risk management tool for smoke marks a significant step forward in protecting the livelihoods of our growers and the future of the wine industry as we continue to face the challenges posed by increased wildfire activity.”

    Collins continued, “CAWG extends its gratitude to RMA’s Product Development Team for their extensive work in crafting and introducing this critical crop insurance endorsement. We also commend U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and Congressman Mike Thompson for their advocacy in calling for action through crop insurance to better protect the CA wine industry.”

    CAWG will host an educational webinar on Thursday, November 14 at 10:00am, where Relation Insurance Services will present in-depth information on the new FIP-SI endorsement. The webinar will discuss how FIP- SI interacts with growers’ existing policies, and answer any questions from growers.

    Resources:

    About the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG)

    CAWG is a statewide nonprofit trade association advocating for California’s winegrape growers to ensure the sustainability of the winegrape industry. CAWG promotes the industry’s long-term success by advancing the adoption of sound public policies and fostering awareness and understanding of winegrape growers’ contributions to the economy, environment, and California communities. Learn more at cawg.org.