California Ag Network

Tag: Sonoma County

  • Cooler Weather and Thunder Storms Are the Latest Additions to Sonoma County’s 2017 Wine Harvest Saga

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (October 3, 2017) – When the book is closed on the 2017 Sonoma County winegrape harvest, “weather” will need to dominate the conversation as Mother Nature continues to impact the efforts of local farmers as they harvest this year’s crop.  The year began with record winter rainfall, followed by a mild spring, a scorching summer and finally cooler weather in mid-September. That respite helped bring order to the harvest, though it did not last long as rain showers turned to thunderstorms in late September creating new concerns for farmers.

    Reports from the vineyards indicate that this year’s extreme weather, particularly the sustained heat waves, will likely impact the size of the harvest.  Early estimates were for an average size crop of excellent quality. However, in the past few weeks, farmers are reporting some significant weight loss in grape numbers due to the heat, which caused some growers and vintners to pick grapes earlier than they had planned.  Around the middle of the month, rain arrived forcing farmers to check their grapes, open up the canopy, and in some instances, use larges blowers in the vineyards to dry out certain varieties prior to harvesting. Currently, about 70% of the Sonoma County grapes have been harvested.

    The other ongoing challenge facing Sonoma County winegrape growers is the availability of labor and the logistics of moving crews and equipment around the county.  While there is not a critical shortage this season, the labor supply remains very tight to the point that some growers are not harvesting on the day they want because workers are not available. Despite all the weather fluctuations and current labor supply, most growers still anticipate harvest being completed by mid-October.

    Russian River Valley – With the Pinot Noir harvest almost complete and Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Merlot and other varieties winding down, growers in the Russian River AVA have experienced two different harvests.  For early ripening varieties that matured and were picked, nearly every grower cited excellent quality and better than average yields. For varieties ripening during or after the extreme heat wave in the beginning of September, growers experienced a noticeable drop in yields but were impressed by the outstanding quality.

    Dry Creek Valley – Zinfandel, Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are currently being picked or will soon begin being harvested. The growing season had it all – perfect growing conditions, a number of searing heat waves and late summer rains, while cooler weather in September helped return schedules back to normal.

    Alexander Valley – Harvest has been completed for Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Other varieties in the AVA, including Cabernet, Zinfandel, Merlot and Malbec, should be completed in the next two to three weeks.  Like elsewhere in Sonoma County, the 2017 harvest has been intense with conditions changing every few days while the struggle to find enough labor remains constant.

    Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak – Harvest should be completed in the next two weeks.  Tonnage is down slightly while quality is average to excellent depending on the variety and the vineyard.  Much of the Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon is being harvested this week.  Labor is tight, optimism is high.

    Sonoma Coast – Growers are taking advantage of the cooler weather to prolong the time on the vine.  Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Riesling are or will soon be harvested.  A common refrain has been that brix levels are steady but not quite ready for harvest.  Along with labor concerns, weather has been the greatest challenge facing growers, especially over the past two months of the season.

    Sonoma Valley – Growers throughout the AVA are racing to complete harvest within the next week to ten days.  Varieties were impacted differently by the heat throughout the AVA. One grower reported his Chardonnay was picked 30% light while his Malbec and Merlot were the same yield levels as last year.  Other growers reported both exceptional quality and yields. Growers are hoping that hand labor will be freed up to enable Sonoma Valley growers to access crews when they need it since the harvest is winding down in other parts of Sonoma County.

    Sonoma Mountain – Harvest is winding down for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with most harvested around the heat wave over Labor Day weekend at exceptional quality. Harvest is currently beginning for Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel on Sonoma Mountain with completion likely around the end of October. Sugar levels and flavors are close.  The summer’s heat waves did burn leaves and desiccated some fruit particularly among Merlot. With that said, quality looks good with overall yields slightly below normal.

    Follow the Harvest – If you want up-to-the-minute updates on Sonoma County’s harvest activities directly from our grape growers and wineries, the Sonoma County Winegrowers have created an online Harvest Tracker to help everyone stay informed on what’s happening in our vineyards and cellars.

     

  • Sonoma County Wine Harvest Off to a Fast Start

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (September 11, 2017) – Ask any winegrape grower to describe the grape harvest in Sonoma County and you typically hear “harvest time is like a marathon.”  When it comes to the 2017, harvest has taken off like a sprint and the pace shows no sign of letting up until the end of harvest.

    August delivered some of the longest, hottest periods seen in years which caused heat stress for both grapes and people.  In some AVAs, it became too hot for too long causing sugars to rapidly increase – in some cases faster than the grapes were maturing.  Some growers increased their irrigation cycles to avoid excessive sun damage to the vine leaves and fruit.  Rapid increases in brix levels resulted in some grapes being harvested as quickly as possible, while in other parts of the county later varieties were being irrigated to keep the grapes from dehydrating.

    The other primary challenge facing Sonoma County winegrape growers is the availability of labor.  While there is not a critical shortage this season, it is clear that there is a limited supply with more workers needed, especially in the coming years.  To combat the tight labor market, more growers are turning to mechanical harvesters in addition to using hand harvesting and picking fruit at a riper level.  All growers agree that it will only become more difficult to secure the necessary skilled labor force in the future. However, many growers are talking about the increased skill level of the agricultural workers this year.

    With early September bringing a much needed cool down, the sparkling wine harvest is mostly complete.  Throughout Sonoma County, harvest has begun for most varieties of grapes including Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Malbec.   The harvest of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes is expected to begin in earnest in the middle of September.  Most growers anticipate harvest being complete in mid-October.

    Russian River Valley
    Excellent quality and great flavors are offsetting concerns about near normal or slightly below normal yields throughout the Russian River Valley AVA.  The frequent heat waves this summer have reduced yields in many blocks while creating a challenge to plan and coordinate the harvest.  According to Duff Bevill, a partner in Bevill Vineyard Management, he is in full harvest mode for the next five to seven weeks, and the sustained heat resulted in him having to harvest some Zinfandel blocks earlier than expected.  For other growers, the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir harvests are commencing this week, followed by the start of the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest in the middle of the month.

    Dry Creek Valley – Heat is the common concern throughout Dry Creek Valley with growers monitoring the brix levels on a frequent basis, as they anticipate it will result in a slightly earlier harvest throughout the AVA.  Patrick Taylor, co-owner of Taylor Family Vineyard reported that the early heat waves in July – followed by cooling fog and ending up with a late August heatwave – have caused brix levels to sky rocket. The Sauvignon Blanc harvest has begun, while the Zinfandel and Syrah harvest should begin shortly; Cabernet is expected to be fully ripened by the latter part of September.

    Alexander Valley – The harvest is getting underway throughout most of Alexander Valley with the overall grape quality looking excellent with an average yield.  The harvest of Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc grapes has been ongoing for the past ten days.  The harvest of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are both just beginning. Merlot, Gewürztraminer, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Cabernet, Zinfandel and more are still to be harvested over the next month and a half.  Throughout Alexander Valley, a supply of skilled labor remains a top concern.

    Sonoma Valley – Harvest is ramping up throughout the Sonoma Valley AVA, as the recent heat wave spiked sugar levels and pushed all varieties to an earlier harvest.  Many growers are predicting that if the weather continues to be warm throughout September, the majority of the fruit in the AVA could be picked by the end of the month.  The continued winter rains and mild spring created some ideal growing conditions early, which should pay off with some very high-quality grapes at average yields.  Taylor Serres, COO of Serres Ranch, reports that quality is above average across the board, though the harvest has begun earlier than anticipated.  The concern looking ahead is all varieties ripening at the same time due to the August heat wave.

    Chalk Hill – Initial reports indicate an average to higher than average yields, and excellent quality throughout the Chalk Hill AVA.  Harvest is expected to begin in September and be completed by early October.  A primary concern throughout the AVA is the availability of skilled labor.  Most growers are looking to do as much work by machine as possible and anticipate more machine harvesting in the very near future.

    Follow the Harvest – If you want up-to-the-minute updates on Sonoma County’s harvest activities directly from our grape growers and wineries, the Sonoma County Winegrowers have created an online Harvest Tracker to help everyone stay informed on what’s happening in our vineyards and cellars. Visit the Sonoma County Winegrowers Harvest Page for the latest news and use the hashtag #SCHarvest on social media.

  • Sonoma County 2016 Crop Report

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (September 1, 2017) – The Sonoma County Department of Agriculture presented the 2016 Crop Report at the Board of Supervisors Meeting on Tuesday August 1st. The theme of this year’s crop report was “Growing Winegrapes, Sustainably”.

    2016 Crop Report Presentation at the Board of Supervisors meeting on August 1st. Photo by Emily Janowski.

    The total reported value of agricultural products in Sonoma County was $898,125,200, a 17% increase from 2015. The increase in value was attributed to an increase in rain over 2015 and an increase in both tons crushed and price per ton of winegrapes.

    Sonoma County’s apple yield increased significantly over 2016 while the value of livestock and poultry products decreased 6%. The 2016 apple yield increased significantly over 2015, which Ag Commissioner Tony Linegar referred to as “the worst apple crop in recent history”. The 2016 apple crop grossed $5,466,800, up 42% from 2015’s value of $3,752,400.

    Sonoma County’s 60,000 acres of winegrapes accounted for more than 50% of Sonoma County’s crop value totaling $586,517,700. This was up significantly from the 2015 value of $446,538,900. Chardonnay was the top producing varietal with 16,000 acres values more than $162 million. Chardonnay was followed by Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon which each have more than 13,000 planted acres have values over $100 million.

    Sonoma County produced 14 million dollar crops in 2016. In millions these were: Winegrapes ($586), Market Milk ($146), Misc Poultry ($40), Misc Livestock and Poultry Products ($31), Cattle and Calves ($20), Nursery – Ornamentals ($14), Nursery – Misc ($13), Vegetables ($9.9), Sheep and Lambs ($8.4), Oat and Rye Silage Crops ($4.0), Nursery – Cut Flowers ($3.9), Apples – Late Varieties ($3.9), Apples – Gravenstein ($1.6) and Nursery – Bedding Plants ($1.2).

    The 2016 crop report can be found online at sonomacounty.ca.gov/Agriculture-Weights-and-Measures/Crop-Reports/

    By Rachel LaFranchi – and courtesy of Sonoma County Farm Bureau

  • More Than 1,000 Gather to Celebrate Agriculture at Love of the Land

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (August 8, 2017) – On July 13th, more than 1,000 people gathered at Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s vineyard to celebrate agriculture. Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s annual Love of the Land event, was successful in bringing in people from all facets of agriculture to socialize and honor stewards of the land.

    People gathered from Sonoma County and beyond, seeing old friends and making new ones in the Sonoma grown reception. Guests enjoyed wines from around the county and food from local caterers and food companies.

    The program for the evening was kicked off by Brent Farris who introduced the Petaluma Riding and Driving Club who rode in decked out in red, white and blue on a paint, palomino, grey and bay. Mark Flowers sang the national anthem, and Farris introduced Steve Dutton, Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s President.

    “Sonoma County Farm Bureau was founded in 1917 and tonight we’re celebrating 100 years of protecting Sonoma County Agriculture,” said Dutton. “From the Right to Farm Ordinance to Riparian regulations, the work Farm Bureau does might not always be visible, but it is critical to our ability to farm on a daily basis. I am proud to be a fifth generation Sonoma County farmer, and I want to see agriculture continue far into the future so my children have the same opportunities I had. Alongside many others here tonight, I am proud to be a part of a family that has been farming in Sonoma County for more than 100 years.”

    This year’s honorees included Jackson Family Wines, recipient of the Luther Burbank Conservation Award; Earl and Dot Holtz, Hall of Fame Inductees; and the Lee Walker Family, the 2017 Farm Family of the Year.

    The Jackson family, large supporters of agriculture, donated the venue and La Crema Wines to be served throughout the evening. The Jackson family was also honored for their continuing commitment to sustainability. Headed by Katie Jackson, the company is a leader on many sustainability efforts including water, energy and land conservation programs.

    Earl and Dot Holtz were honored next on stage as the 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees. Respectively 84 and 83, the couple has dedicated 104 years to supporting the local agriculture industry. With Earl working in the dairy industry and Dot educating youth, their contributions to Sonoma County are invaluable.

    The night’s final recipient was the Lee Walker Family who have been farming apples on the same ranch in Graton for 107 years. The family patriarch, Lee Walker, said the award was especially important to the family because the award represented the time and passion the entire family put into the business, even though the majority don’t work for the family business.

    The awards were followed by a live action including a hot air balloon ride donated by Blue Star Gas, a trip to Cabo and an exclusive opportunity to host a private event at the La Crema pavilion with 106.3 The Bull.

    Bistro lights donated by Sonoma Clean Power glowed over the tables as the sun set and the evening came to an end. Sonoma County Farm Bureau thanks everyone who made another Love of the Land a success! From guests and sponsors to wineries pouring and great food by Preferred Sonoma Caterers, we appreciate everyone’s support. A special thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the event possible, we couldn’t do it without you!

    Courtesy of Sonoma County Farm Bureau

  • Another Stellar Sonoma County Wine Harvest Begins

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (August 18, 2017) – Record winter rainfall, a mild spring, a scorching summer and a serious labor shortage are just some of the challenges Sonoma County winegrowers have experienced this year.  Being tested as never before, local winegrape farmers began the 2017 harvest for sparkling wines in some parts of Sonoma County last week with early expectations calling for a high-quality vintage crop of an average tonnage size.

    “Though the year is barely half over, we have already witnessed many daunting challenges, but our farmers are amazingly resilient, they persevere and continue farming some of the world’s very best grapes,” said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers.  She added, “There is great excitement throughout the County as activities pick up and the crush begins.”

    The first quarter of the year saw a record rainfall hit the County with nearly 58 inches of precipitation falling in Santa Rosa, more than 70 inches throughout the County and rain reported for 21 of the 28 days of February. The rainfall filled the region’s reservoirs beyond their capacity, triggering flooding and landslides which closed numerous roads, inundated hundreds of acres of vineyards and saturated vines particularly along the lower Russian River. In addition, a tight labor supply, increased operating costs, proposed ground water regulations, urban encroachment and a host of local ordinances have had the attention of local winegrape farmers this year.

    The long rainy season and mild spring resulted in above-average vegetative growth and vigor. The heavy rains left ample water deep in the soil, so vines were able to handle the subsequent heat waves.  When it came time for the bloom, conditions were ideal and most varietals set well.  With harvest still weeks away in most Sonoma County vineyards, here are some of the harvest reports from the front lines of some of our AVAs:

    Russian River Valley: The harvest of grapes for sparkling wines has begun.  Joe Dutton, co-owner of Dutton Ranch and Chairman of the Sonoma County Winegrowers reports that picking is underway for Pinot Noir for the Gloria Ferrer Sparkling program. The grape harvest each day will be hit and miss for the next ten days to two weeks, but then after that, harvesting will be all day, every day. We are looking forward to a nice harvest. At J Vineyards & Winery, traditionally one of the first wineries to harvest in Sonoma County, picking has also begun, according to Jim Collins, VP Premium Winegrowing and Grower Relations for E. & J. Gallo Winery.  The first grapes picked were Pinot Noir for J’s sparkling wine program.  Overall, the vines weathered the year’s climate extremes very well and everything is shaping up to be a high-quality vintage.

    Dry Creek Valley: Ned Neumiller, grower relations and viticulture manager at Seghesio Family Vineyards, reports that much of the current activity in the Dry Creek Valley is finishing up final canopy management and starting to ready the crop for harvest.  Vine vigor continues to be the largest issue which is made more problematic for some growers due to the lack of labor.  The start of the Zinfandel harvest in the upper Dry Creek Valley will begin during one of the first two weeks of September.  Overall, quality looks to be excellent for Zinfandel with normal yields anticipated.
    Green Valley:In the Green Valley AVA, Dutton Ranch’s J. Alfred Steele reports that the harvest is running about 6-10 days later than last year but, given the big canopies from three months of storing carbs from the epic rains, the grapes could ripen quickly and the start of harvest may move up.  Right now veraison is on everywhere and it looks to be another great vintage.  Labor remains the biggest threat in the region this harvest season.

    Alexander Valley: Bret Munselle, a partner of Munselle Vineyards, expects the Alexander Valley harvest to begin between August 24th and the 28th.  The yield looks a little above average while the fruit looks great.  Cautious optimism is the current outlook.  Jim Rickards, owner of J. Rickards Vineyards, reports that the Malbec harvest should begin in late September, Petite Sirah in early October and the harvest will wrap up with Cabernet beginning mid- to late-October.  The vines appear to be doing well throughout the Alexander Valley with the heavy rains now providing vines with additional help in combatting recent heat waves.

    Sonoma Valley: With harvest still weeks away in the Sonoma Valley AVA, all blocks are at least 50% into veraison or well on their way to finishing.  Taylor Serres, of Serres Ranch, reports there was a late start to the season in Sonoma Valley due to the long winter which did leave ample moisture in the soil and paid dividends throughout the growing season. The other primary current challenge in the vineyards this year has been successfully managing mildew issues which have been experienced throughout Sonoma County.  Overall, the quality of grapes looks really good particularly the Bordeaux varieties.  Cluster counts appear to be similar to last year though Cabernet Franc seems lighter than last year. The one concern looking ahead is how fast and heavy the fruit will come in.

    Follow the Harvest: If you want up-to-the-minute updates on Sonoma County’s harvest activities directly from our grape growers and wineries, the Sonoma County Winegrowers have created an online Harvest Tracker to help everyone stay informed on what’s happening in our vineyards and cellars. Visit the Sonoma County Winegrowers Harvest Page for the latest news and use the hashtag #SCHarvest on social media.

     

  • Crop Update With Sonoma Wine Grape Growers Bill & Lauren Hipp

    Wine grapes in Sonoma County are going through veraison and the crop is progressing well. Watch this brief interview with Bill Hipp who talked about this year’s crop, from the perspective of his vineyard, and what he is doing to keep Pierce’s Disease out of the Vineyard.

  • Sonoma County Winegrowers Name New Education & Communications Manager

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (July 20, 2017) – With Sonoma County Winegrowers well on their way to becoming the first 100% sustainable winegrowing region in the United States by 2019, now is the time to expand our education efforts to key stakeholders such as sommeliers, wine buyers and  consumers. The goal is to share the benefits of sustainable wine and communicate the many positive impacts it provides to the environment, grape growers, community and consumers.  To do that, Sonoma County Winegrowers has announced the hiring of Melissa Vogt as its new Education and Communications Manager.

    After moving to Sonoma County in 2012 to pursue her Master’s Degree at Sonoma State University, Vogt knew she wanted to continue following her passion and work in the wine industry.  Her dream evolved when she noticed the Sonoma County Winegrowers announcement for the Education and Communications Manager position.  She jumped at the opportunity to work with a global leader in wine sustainability.  Her responsibilities will include overseeing the communications efforts directed at winegrape growers, the wine trade and influencers, as well as consumers, and educational outreach including tours, events and related activities.

    “We are fortunate to add the unique background and skill set that Melissa possesses,” said Karissa Kruse, president of the Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “We take great pride in our team and the resources we provide to our grower members and Melissa is a shining example of our commitment to be the best.”

    Vogt’s career began as a freelance writer for the Examiner covering wine tasting events in San Francisco.  Her talent and experience led to her freelancing for additional publications and expanding her scope of coverage from wine tasting to include food and restaurants throughout Northern California.  After earning her Master’s Degree in Rhetoric and Composition, she was hired by Wine Country This Week to write about the wine community.  She would later create and produce content for wine offers on SommSelect where, as the wine communications director, she mentored under Master Sommelier, Ian Cauble.  With her growing expertise and experience, Vogt was hired in 2015 as the Deputy Editor at Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate where she had the lead role in editing one of the world’s most prestigious wine review publications.

    “I am really excited to join Sonoma County Winegrowers,” said Vogt. She added, “I cannot think of a better way to support my local community and pursue my passion than by working on behalf of our region’s winegrape growers and their families.”

     

  • The Gravenstein Apple By Steve Dutton, President

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (July 10, 2017) – My father Warren started growing apples in Sonoma County in 1964 when he and my mother Gail purchased their first 35 acre ranch near the town of Graton. The ranch had 15 acres of apples and 15 acres of winegrapes. My parents concentrated their efforts on growing apples in the 60’s and 70’s, leasing and buying orchards to increase their acreage.

    Sonoma County apples, especially the Gravenstein, have been a staple here since 1883 when Luther Burbank advised Nathaniel Griffith to plant Gravenstein apples on his 78 acre ranch on Laguna Road in Sebastopol. With that, the commercial apple industry was born. At the beginning of World War II in 1940, Sebastopol had its high point of 13,875 acres of apples with 9,750 acres planted in Gravenstein. By 1950, the apple acreage was in decline with 10,874 planted acres, 7,465 of which were Gravensteins. In 1980, the acreage fell to 7,747 with Gravensteins accounting for 3,234 acres. Fast forward to 2015 and there were only 2,229 acres left of Sonoma County apples with 704 in Gravensteins.

    Many people believe that the winegrapes pushed out the apples in Sonoma County. In reality, apples became a worldwide commodity in the early 80’s with at least 14 countries that produce more than a million tons per year. With that, the price per ton became so low that growing apples became economically unviable. Many growers resorted to subdividing their ranches, selling off small pieces, and many started the conversion process to winegrapes.

    Our father chose the latter. He removed acres of his own orchards and leased many acres of neighboring farmers’ land that he converted to winegrapes. But all along, he kept the best of our orchards in the ground and producing, always with a focus on Gravensteins. Through the late 80’s and 90’s, the winegrape income subsidized our apple income. In 2003, my brother Joe and I decided to start the organic certification process for our apple orchards.

    Today, we farm approximately 180 acres of certified organic apples, of which 100 acres are Gravensteins. We also planted Sonoma County’s two newest Gravenstein orchards in 2013 and 2015.

    The Gravenstein has become part of Sonoma County’s identity even with only 700 acres left in production. As diversified ag has become a hot topic in Sonoma County, it is becoming increasingly important to support the Gravenstein apple.

    In August of every year, Sonoma County Farm Trails puts on the Gravenstein Apple Fair at Ragle Ranch Park in Sebastopol. Fifteen thousand people will come to Sebastopol to support Sonoma County agriculture. Many businesses and agricultural groups including Sonoma County Farm Bureau will have a presence at the fair. I encourage anyone interested to attend the Apple Fair and enjoy the Gravenstein.

    If you can’t, then ask your local grocer to carry fresh Gravenstein apples from Sonoma County. Also look for apple juice and apple sauce that is branded Gravenstein, I guarantee it came from Sonoma County.

     

  • New Survey Highlights the Valuable Contributions of Winegrape Growers to Sonoma County

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (July 5, 2017) – A new survey of more than 295 winegrape growers in Sonoma County confirms that the local winegrape industry provides a number of valuable contributions to the community. As one of the largest employers, winegrape growers pay top wages to their workers and serve as generous philanthropists contributing to non-profit organizations and groups in every corner of Sonoma County.

    The survey results were released during the Sonoma County Winegrowers’ Annual Grower Seminar and Tradeshow held in Santa Rosa. The 295-plus respondents represented more than 82% of the total vineyard acreage in Sonoma County or some 47,975 acres planted to winegrapes. In addition, the respondents farm another 36,170 acres in diversified agriculture including vegetables, apples, row crops and dairy. The survey participants also own more than 53,000 additional acres that is either pasture land or open space.

    “These results are so impressive as they show the valuable contributions provided by our local winegrape farmers and their families,” said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “We all know that our wines are recognized as some of the world’s best and we are global leaders in sustainability but it is the actions and efforts of our local winegrape growers each and every day which truly makes Sonoma County unique.”

    Among the survey’s findings:

    • Sonoma County grape growers employ 5,186 full-time workers
    • An additional 2,644 seasonal workers are employed by grape growers;
    • Vineyard employees in Sonoma County earn on average $16.34 per hour which is 60% above California’s current minimum wage of $10.50 per hour;
    • More than 29% of local winegrape growers offer housing to their employees providing more than 950 total bed units in Sonoma County;
    • More than 93% of the winegrape growers surveyed personally donate money to charitable causes on an annual basis and more than 74% of the winegrape farming businesses donate money to charitable causes;
    • Some 63% of those surveyed personally volunteer for community organizations that serve Sonoma County; and,
    • Local grape growers and their businesses contribute more than $26,959,000 annually to local charities through financial and in-kind contributions.

    “Santa Rosa Junior College could not fulfil our mission of providing a quality education for Sonoma County residents were it not for the support of our local grape growers!” said Frank Chong, President of Santa Rosa Junior College. He added, “The grape growers understand the power and importance of education. While Sonoma County Grape growers harvest world class grapes, SRJC harvests world class students thanks to their support for affordable quality higher education.”

    According to the survey, the top causes supported by Sonoma County’s winegrape growers either through financial contributions or volunteer services include education both general education issues and ag education (40.4%), healthcare (18.6%) and the environment (17.6%). Of those surveyed 29% of the winegrape growers serve as a board of director for an organization that supports Sonoma County residents. In fact, Sonoma County’s winegrape growers volunteer approximately 12,830 hours annually to local organizations and causes.

    “These survey results demonstrate what we have always known and that is Sonoma County has an amazing collection of farmers who have always been leaders in agriculture and the community,” said Kruse. She added, “Though local residents may not know a winegrape grower or work in the wine industry, they should know that the entire region benefits from a successful wine community and the efforts of Sonoma County winegrowers.”

  • Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County – 2017 Scholarship Applications

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (March 13, 2017) – This year the Farm Bureau Foundation will award more than $110,000 in scholarships to Sonoma County students pursuing higher education at a four year college, junior college or vocational school within an agricultural related field.

    Last year, the Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County Awarded scholarships to 40 Sonoma County students. All of the recipients were outstanding students excelling in academics, leadership and community service achievements.

    To qualify, students must be a graduating high school senior, Santa Rosa Junior College student, or continuing four year college students. Scholarships are only available to undergraduate students. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and be pursuing education in an agricultural related field.

    Applications will be available online at www.sonomafb.org. Applications should be typed and then printed and mailed with letters of recommendation and school transcripts by the deadline. Applications are due by 5 p.m. April 7, 2017 to the Sonoma County Farm Bureau office. Please mail or hand deliver completed applications to 3589 Westwind Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403.

    Download: 2017 Foundation Scholarship Application.pdf

    Scholarship Requirements:

    • All of the scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors, Santa Rosa Junior College students or continuing four-year college students who have or will have a major in Agriculture or an Agriculture-related field.
    • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required for all scholarship applicants.
    • Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarships are only available to undergraduate students.
    • An additional essay, specific major or number of registered units may be required depending on the scholarship.

    How to Apply:

    • There is one common application for all scholarships administered by the Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County.
    • Applications must be typed, printed and signed.
    • A check list of the additional application materials for a complete application is included.
    • All completed applications must be received or postmarked by the
    • deadline of 5 p.m. April 7, 2017.
    • Mail or hand deliver completed application and required documents to: Sonoma County Farm Bureau, 3589 Westwind Blvd., Santa Rosa, California, 95403.
    • Process:
    • Applications will be screened to select the finalists for interviews with the Farm Bureau Foundation’s scholarship selection committee.
    • ALL finalists must participate in a mandatory oral interview on one of the pre scheduled days: Thursday, May 4 or Friday, May 5.
    • An additional interview day may be scheduled depending upon number of finalists.
    • Finalists for the Kunde Scholarship will have an additional interview with members of the Kunde family.

    If Selected:

    Proof of enrollment and a copy of the “thank you” letter to the scholarship donor are required before a check will be issued to scholarship recipients.