California Ag Network

Tag: Unified Wine and Grape Symposium

  • 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.

  • Impact of Tariffs on Wine Industry

    The wine industry continues to struggle with fewer buyers, while tariffs threaten to shrink the market further. A boycott by provincial governments in Canada is costing vineyards their second-most important wine market and some wineries are at risk of going out of business. At the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, The Wine Economist editor Mike Veseth spoke with Matthew Malcolm of California Ag Network about the impact of tariffs on the American Wine Industry. Watch this quick video and learn more in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Bright Spots for the Wine Market

    The wine industry has been struggling since the pandemic, but there are some bright spots. The premium side of the market is doing relatively better than the value end, and there are opportunities with packaging and the ready-to-drink beverage category. Danny Brager with Azur Associates spoke with Matthew Malcolm from Malcolm Media Ag Publishing at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium to discuss the silver linings in the market. Watch this quick video and learn more in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Could Farmers Get a Tax Credit for Paying Employees Overtime?

    Could farmers in California get a tax credit for paying their employees to work overtime?  Other states have already implemented this to alleviate the pressures of inflating wage costs burdening ag employers. Watch this brief interview as Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) joins Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share how CAWG is working with the California Farm Bureau and Senator Shannon Grove through SB628 to support California ag employers and make this happen.
     

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SIPCAM AGRO USA for their industry support.

  • Are Consumers Leaving Wine Behind in the Slew of Alternative Beverages and Social Trends?

    It’s no secret that the wine industry is struggling, but it’s been difficult for some to wrap their heads around the many forces driving the decline in wine sales, and knowing how to prosper in today’s market. Alcohol beverage analyst Danny Brager shared some insights on the social and marketing trends impacting today’s wine consumers at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. Watch this brief interview with Danny and read more about current wine market trends in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SIPCAM AGRO USA for their industry support.

  • What We can Learn from Recent Vineyard Planting Trends, or Lack Thereof

    Wine market issues have led to a major slowdown in grapevine planting activity in California over the last few years to the point that some of the top suppliers of planting material have recently determined to exit the market. At the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter shared the results of their annual grapevine nursery survey report, highlighting which varieties are still being planted and in what areas of the state. Watch this brief interview as Jeff shares with American Vineyard Editor Matthew Malcolm what growers can learn from these planting trends.

  • Signs of Stabilization in the Wine Market on the Horizon

    With the preliminary Crush Report revealing the lowest wine grape crush California has experienced in many years, and having heard from State of the Wine Industry panelists at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, including Glenn Proctor from Ciatti Company, growers and winemakers are still wondering when will things get better for the wine industry. Watch this brief video as Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network interviews Glenn sharing that hope is on the horizon based on new indicators in the global wine market. Read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Global Alcohol Beverage Consumption Drops, Impacting California Wine Industry

    Wine grape growers may have difficulty finding a home for their crop this season due to a global decline in consumer demand for wine and alcoholic beverages overall.  Watch this brief interview with Danny Brager of Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting to learn more.

  • CAWG Pushes Legislation to Streamline Ag Employee Housing

    California ranks last in both housing affordability and availability, compared to the rest of the United States. This is having a major impact on California farm workers who are having to commute long distances to get to work or are otherwise struggling to get by. Watch this brief interview with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers as they push for legislative support to streamline the permitting process for on-farm ag employee housing. Read more about it in the May issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Wine Grape Planting Trends & the Removal Need for Market Correction

    Growers are not overplanting wine grape acreage in California, but they have fallen fall behind in removing old, underperforming vineyards and less desirable varieties. This is what Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter shared at the 2024 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium upon release of their annual grapevine nursery survey report. Watch this brief interview as Jeff shares with American Vineyard Editor Matthew Malcolm what the current planting trends look like and just how many vineyards need to be removed to bring the industry back into balance for a more sustainable future.