California Ag Network

Tag: Sonoma County Winegrowers

  • Installation and Use of Ford Pro Telematics Available to All Sonoma County Wine Grape Growers

    Today, Sonoma County Winegrowers took another step forward in being leaders in sustainability as they announced a complimentary one-year subscription to Ford Pro Telematics to every winegrape farmer in Sonoma County. The announcement arrives on the heels of the exciting collaboration between Sonoma County Winegrowers and Ford Pro which also includes a pilot program with three Sonoma County winegrape farmers who have agreed to adopt Ford Pro electric vehicles, charging stations and software solutions into their operations. It is all part of an effort to improve bottom lines, operational efficiencies and reduce carbon emissions. Early insights from fleet monitoring software, Ford Pro Telematics, installed into pilot farmers existing gas vehicle operations have already proven to show benefits.

    “I am most interested to gain insight on our fleet in real time.   How long are our vehicles idling and what is the cost for that,” said Marissa Ledbetter, owner of Vino Farms and one of the three pilot farmers in Sonoma County.  She added, “To be able to gain insight on all our vehicles, measure it day over day, week over week, will provide me with a level of insight I have never had access to before.”

    The intent is to let all farmers experience the many benefits of telematics so they can learn how it will make them more efficient in their vehicle use, lower their operating costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. This continues the innovation, climate and thought leadership of the local Sonoma County winegrape farmers and is an important milestone to engage all of the farmers in this collaboration and learning.

    “Since the announcement of our collaboration with Ford Pro at the beginning of this year, there has been an overwhelming response from our farmers wanting to participate in going electric on their farms and optimizing their fleet management,” said Karissa Kruse, president of the Sonoma County Winegrape Growers.  She added, “Given that interest, there is no better day than Earth Day to announce that SCW is offering free installation and one-year service of Ford Pro telematics for all winegrowers in the County. This is a win-win for our growers and the environment. A true tribute to caring for our planet”

    Ford Pro Telematics software is a product offered on the Ford Pro Intelligence cloud-based platform,  designed to help small businesses optimize their fleet of vehicles by providing always-on  access to vehicle health reports and other data that will help the vehicle owner to reduce operating costs, help improve fuel consumption and identify maintenance needs in addition to monitoring and improving driver behaviors.

    One of the most critical tools for a farmer is their vehicles which, on average, log up to 50,000 miles a year and make up 10% of a farm’s assets.  Understanding vehicle usage, down-time and idling in addition to transitioning fleet operations to electric vehicles will  help support the sustainability mission for Sonoma County farmers while helping Sonoma County Winegrowers bring these best practices to farmers across the country.

    “The goal of this offer is to provide every grower with ability to use and learn firsthand how telematics can make them more efficient using their work vehicle, lowering their operating costs and lowering greenhouse gas emissions,” said Kruse.  “The farm of the future is right here right now in Sonoma County. We are proud to be part of the progress in climate stewardship.”

    About Sonoma County Winegrowers

    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. With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality, sustainability and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers and influencers around the world. In 2014, Sonoma County’s winegrowing community embarked on a major initiative to have all Sonoma County vineyards certified sustainable. Today, 99% of the vineyard acreage in Sonoma County has completed certification by a third-party auditor making Sonoma County the most sustainable winegrowing 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

  • Eyes on the Skies as Vineyards Push Towards Bud Break

    Sonoma County Winegrowers — As the calendar changes to March, Sonoma County vineyards are starting to awaken following a long, dry winter. Bud break marks the traditional start of the new year for the 2021 vintage meaning each day ahead is filled with a task intended to bring about the best harvest later this year. Given that bud break comes at the end of winter in a year when more rain is desired, those winter storms also bring the potential risk of harmful frosts at a time when the vines are most vulnerable. However, this time of year, it is the nature of growers to be excited about the new season getting underway.

    “This is one of my favorite times of the year as you can begin to see new life in the vineyard and feel the optimism for a great year among everyone,” said Karissa Kruse, president of the Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “In talking with growers throughout the county, bud break seems to be a little later this season, closer to the historic norms. I hope this is a sign of a normal year given all that we have endured the past few years.”

    As is always the case, white varieties such as chardonnay vines are the first buds to emerge, and growers are seeing some initial signs of bud break but still in the early stages. As the bright yellow color of daffodils and mustard appear to signal the arrival of spring, growers will welcome any rain Mother Nature can provide as the 2021 season officially begins.

    Here some early insight from the “front vines” of our AVA’s:

    Dry Creek Valley – There are numerous reports of some early bud break primarily in Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. The general feeling this year is bud break is a little early but not significantly early. It has been a dry winter prompting concerns that vines could revert to “drought mode” and, perhaps hold back production, but the pending arrival of spring brings renewed optimism for a stellar year.

    Russian River Valley – Early reports are that bud break is starting a little later than recent year but closer to the normal timing of the past. While bud break can be seen in chardonnay vineyards throughout the AVA, early reports are that it should start soon with pinot noir. Here in the Russian River Valley, concerns about the dry winter persist.

    Alexander Valley – With pruning just completed, bud break is not expected for another week or more. Overall, bud break is running about two weeks behind last year, closer to normal of years past. Cabernet and other red varieties are not expected to bud for at least 3 weeks.

    Green Valley – Bud break is starting to show in some Chardonnay vineyards though it takes some hunting to find it. The general feeling is the timing is pretty normal. However, in the next few weeks, bud break will appear not only in the Chardonnay vineyards but throughout Green Valley. The dry winter is a top concern and rain is wanted in the worst way. In the meantime, local growers are perfectly content to wait while enjoying “daffodil heaven!”

    Fort Ross/Seaview – Over on the coast in far western Sonoma County, the cold temperatures this winter have kept the vines dormant. Mid-March has been the typical start of bud break, so the timing this year appears to be normal. Like elsewhere in the county, it is extremely dry in Fort Ross/Seaview.

    Sonoma Valley – With little rain this winter, some growers in Sonoma Valley are already considering irrigation, this is far earlier than any time in recent memory. Bud break is coming on fast but nothing of significance to report at this time.

  • 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.

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  • Sonoma Winegrowers Closing the Gap to Reach 100% Sustainability

    As many are aware, Sonoma County Winegrowers launched a unified effort within the community and bold five year goal back in 2014 to achieve 100% sustainability.  In the final year and stretch to reach this goal, they have made phenomenal progress, but will they achieve their goal?  Watch this brief interview with Amy Tesconi to find out, and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support HERE.

  • Sonoma County Winegrowers Share Early Outlook on 2019 Harvest Crop Expected

    SANTA ROSA, Calif. (July 2, 2019) – As Sonoma County Winegrape Growers close in on its goal of reaching 100% sustainability this year, there is an awful lot to celebrate.

    Foremost, despite record rainfall amounts, early reports indicate the fruit set was good throughout Sonoma County though harvest will be running two to three weeks later than last year. Next, Sonoma County Winegrowers is closing in on its sustainability goal. And, just in time to celebrate, wine consumers can begin purchasing the first wines bearing the new Sonoma County sustainably grown logos.

    “Mother Nature again showed us this winter she can be large and in charge,” said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “After last year’s big crop, it now looks like we will experience average yields, but it is still too early to be sure.”

    The grapes appear to be taking their time to develop and ripen following a cool, wet spring. Late rains brought some initial worry about the impact on bloom, but early reports indicate the crop is in good shape though harvest is likely to be pushed back later.

    Russian River Valley

    Sonoma County’s commitment to sustainability marks another huge milestone this summer as the Francis Ford Coppola Winery is releasing some of their Director’s Cut wines with the new Sonoma County sustainably grown labels. This follows the recent release of sustainable wines from Cline Cellar’s and Ferrari-Carano which also bear the new sustainability label. The label went through extensive consumer testing and proprietary research to measure effectiveness. After several revisions, the brand was finalized. Brand guidelines were developed and adopted before the TTB-approved label was made available to qualified Sonoma County growers and winemakers.

    “This is such an exciting time for our growers, for lovers of Sonoma County wines and for our community,” said Kruse. She added, “As we near becoming the nation’s first 100% sustainable wine region, consumers now have a chance to show their support for sustainability and purchase Sonoma County sustainable grown wine. It is pretty amazing to think how far we have come in just the last five years!”

    Here is an early look at the various regions in Sonoma County:

    Russian River Valley:

    Despite floods throughout the Russian River Valley, quality looks to be good. Though still too early to fully assess, it does appear that the size of the crop will be close to average. The late spring and early summer temperatures have warmed but have not been overly hot. Harvest is expected to be delayed at least two weeks than last year and it is expected to last until Thanksgiving.

    Sonoma Valley:

    Rain, rain, rain was the common theme in Sonoma Valley. While it is still too early to determine crop size, one current challenge is large canopy growth and vine vigor which has resulted in crews having to re-sucker the vines in some places. Harvest may not begin until after Labor Day.

    Dry Creek Valley:

    The cold spring delayed development in the Dry Creek Valley. On average, the bud break for Chardonnay was about two weeks later than last year and the bud break for reds was about a week behind 2018. All signs indicate a late August start of harvest in Dry Creek Valley.

    Alexander Valley:

    Much the same as elsewhere in the County: late rains, condensed growing season and late bud break. Heat has yet to be a problem. Harvest likely not to start until September 1.

    Throughout Sonoma County:

    Fortunately, most everywhere the record rains came right when the flowers showed up and not later which has helped minimize any shatter issues. Given the wet spring and cool weather during bloom, the fruit set is varied but looks good throughout the County with average numbers of clusters per vine.

  • Sonoma Winegrowers’ Karissa Kruse Honored as CAWG Leader of the Year

    At the 2018 annual Summer Conference of the California Association of Winegrape growers (CAWG), Sonoma County Winegrowers President Karissa Kruse was honored as CAWG’s Leader of the Year for her outstanding efforts in leading the world’s first 100% sustainable wine region, community outreach amidst the 2017 North Coast Wildfires, and much more.  Watch this video presentation honoring Kruse and read more about her in American Vineyard Magazine.

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  • Sonoma County Winegrowers Lead the Industry in Sustainability

    Special Thanks to This Video’s Sponsor!
    Sonoma County Winegrowers made a bold commitment just a few years ago to reach 100% certified sustainability, and they are well on their way to achieving their goal by 2019.  Watch this brief interview with Karissa Kruse, who explained the program and unveiled their new certified sustainable logo to be printed on all of these wines.  Read more about growing grapes sustainably in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Sonoma County Winegrowers name new Director of Marketing and Public Relations

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (November 27, 2017) – Sonoma County Winegrowers has received a great deal of media attention in recent years.  From being recognized a global leader in its quest for

    Amy Landolt joins following career in wine marketing

    100% wine sustainability to providing insight on annual harvests to most recently sharing a perspective on the impact of last month’s fires has required a lot of interaction with the media around the world.  So when the organization recently went looking for a new director of marketing and public relations, it wanted someone with wine industry knowledge and marketing experience.  They found it in California wine industry veteran, Amy Landolt, who was just announced as the organization’s new Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

    “Amy possesses both the wine marketing experience and communications expertise that we were looking for,” said Karissa Kruse, president of the Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “We are thrilled she is joining us and I know Amy will add immediate value to our team and to our grower members.” 

    Amy has worked throughout California’s premier wine regions including in Paso Robles, Temecula, Napa and Sonoma County.  Most recently she was the senior marketing manager at Pernod Ricard USA where she worked on the Kenwood Vineyards and Mumm Napa brands.  Prior to that, she was the marketing manager at Benziger Family Winery and Imagery Winery in Glen Ellen.  She is a graduate of San Diego State University and earned an MBA at Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo.  Her responsibilities at Sonoma County Winegrowers will include leading public relations efforts with trade and consumer media, coordinating the Sonoma County marketing strategy and manage community relations.

    “I am honored to be joining the team at Sonoma County Winegrowers,” said Landolt. She added, “I truly believe that every step of my career has prepared me for this great opportunity to promote and preserve Sonoma County’s rich history of agriculture and sustainability on behalf of our region’s winegrape growers and their families.”