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
The wine market is changing as consumers reconsider what they drink, how they make purchasing decisions and the role wine plays in their lives. UC Davis is inviting those in the wine industry to participate in a survey examining industry perspectives on current and emerging wine-consumer behavior.
This survey is part of a research collaboration involving by Drs. Arran Rumbaugh (USDA Ag Research Service), Ha Nguyen (UC Davis), and Carola Grebitus (Arizona State University).
The survey focuses on factors that may influence wine consumption and purchasing. The goal is to identify unmet consumer-insight needs and use the findings to inform future consumer research, applied projects, and decision-support tools that address practical industry priorities.
About the Survey:
•The survey takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete.
•Participants must be at least 21 years old.
•Participation is voluntary.
•Responses are anonymous, handled confidentially and reported only in aggregate.
•Aggregated findings will be shared with participants so they can see perspectives from across the industry.
Industry professional experience can help ensure that future consumer-behavior research reflects industry realities rather than assumptions.
With the wine industry confronting some of the most consequential questions in a generation, the team that will shape the conversation at the industry’s largest gathering is now in place. The Unified Wine & Grape Symposium (UW&GS) today announced that Susan Owen, Senior Director of Sales at G3 Enterprises, and Ed Feuchuk, General Manager of Tank Garage Winery and Farm Collective Napa Valley, will serve as co-chairs of the 2027 Program Development Committee.
The UW&GS Program Development Committee is responsible for identifying the issues, trends and opportunities most important to growers, winemakers and allied industry members, and developing an educational program that helps attendees start the year informed and prepared.
Owen returns to the leadership role after serving as a co-chair for the past two years. A respected wine packaging executive with extensive experience across the wine industry, Owen brings a collaborative leadership style and a passion for industry service. She currently leads a team of wine packaging experts across North America for G3 Enterprises and has previously held leadership positions with Juclas USA and the Vason Group.
Joining her is Feuchuk, a wine industry marketer and brand builder with nearly two decades of experience developing innovative direct-to-consumer wine brands. As general manager for Farm Collective Napa Valley, he has led creative, strategic and technical initiatives for brands including Tank Garage Winery, James Cole Winery, Regusci Winery and T-Vine Winery. His work has been featured in publications including the San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times and Wine Spectator.
“The decisions this industry makes in the next few years will shape it for a generation, and Unified is where those conversations happen,” said Natalie Collins, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and a member of Unified Symposium Management LLC. “Susan and Ed bring the right mix of experience and fresh thinking to lead the 2027 program. Together with a committee that spans every corner of the industry, they’ll build a program that sends people home in January with answers they can actually use.”
The committee has begun meeting to identify key industry topics, recruit speakers and develop the educational program for the 2027 Unified Symposium.
The 2027 UW&GS Program Development Committee includes experts in grapegrowing, winemaking, business operations, marketing and communications and Spanish-language education. Committee members represent wineries, vineyards, universities, industry organizations and allied businesses from across California and beyond.
The Unified Wine & Grape Symposium is jointly organized by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) and the California Association of Winegrape Growers. The 2027 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium will be held January 26-28 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento. — Story contributed by the United Wine & Grape Symposium
The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) added Megan Bell to its team, joining the association as its Public Affairs and External Communications Manager.
Prior to joining CAWG, Bell was the owner and winemaker of Margins Wine in Santa Cruz County for the past decade, co-managing a vineyard for six of those years. Before starting her winery in 2016, she worked in wineries and on vineyard crews in Livermore Valley, Napa, Willamette Valley, New Zealand and France.
“Megan’s real-world winery and vineyard experience in California will be a tremendous asset to our organization,” said CAWG President Natalie Collins. “Her firsthand understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the industry will strengthen CAWG’s ability to communicate and advocate on behalf of California wine grape growers.”
“The opportunity to advocate for California’s winegrape growers is a natural next step in continuing to serve an industry which I am deeply committed to,” Bell said. “I look forward to sharing the stories of winegrape growers and helping to advance our collective goals.”
In her new role as Public Affairs and External Communications Manager, Bell will lead CAWG’s communications efforts to support advocacy, media relations and member engagement. She will help shape the organization’s overall communications strategy, translating complex policy, regulatory, and economic issues into clear and compelling messaging for growers, policymakers and the public. She will also serve as a point of contact for media inquiries and other external communications that elevate the perspectives of California winegrape growers.
Bell is a UC Davis graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture & Enology and an English minor. She is also a recent graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. — Story Contributed by California Association of Winegrape Growers
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.
Mendocino Winegrowers, Inc. (MWI) is excited to announce Diego Mendoza as the organization’s new Executive Director. MWI, a 501c6 focused on supporting the grape growers and winemakers of Mendocino County through education and marketing initiatives, hired Mendoza earlier this month after the previous Executive Director announced her resignation due to a move out of the area.
Mendoza is a Mendocino county local with deep ties to the wine industry: he grew up watching many of his family members at work in the vineyards, and his strong community ties and love for his home county make him a natural fit for the role. His technical abilities, marketing acumen, and long-standing goal of giving back to the community that raised him are among a few of the reasons he was selected. Mendoza is the founder of Mendozino, a marketing and creative services agency, and has experience as an IT and network engineer with a focus on improving communications, integrating technology, and streamlining systems.
“The hiring committee was so impressed with Diego; it was clear he had given a lot of thought to what he could bring to the position and how he could help evolve the organization,” says MWI Treasurer Chris Buchanan, who is also the owner and winemaker of Terragena Wine.
Mendoza is starting from a sprint as one of the flagship events of the organization, Taste of Mendocino, is coming up on Saturday, June 28 at the Wyndham Garden Inn in Redwood Valley. This beloved annual event invites locals and visitors alike to savor both the wine and culinary culture of one of California’s most iconic wine regions, at a fraction of the price one might pay at a similar event in Napa or Sonoma counties.
The selection of Mendoza as the new Executive Director is important both for the success of Taste of Mendocino and for the future of MWI as the wine industry continues to face strong headwinds amidst declining consumption, increased tariffs, and the impacts of climate change. “Diego has a unique perspective which allows him to see the big picture while also generating clear and actionable goals to elevate the image and reach of Mendocino,” says Buchanan. “This is not the time for anyone in the industry to settle for how things have always been done; this is a time to push ourselves to grow and evolve, and Diego is going to help MWI do just that.”
The recent designation of Mendocino County by Wine Enthusiast magazine as the American Wine Region of the Year is an opportunity to raise the bar for all producers in the county, and MWI is committed to leveraging this and all other opportunities to increase awareness of the award-winning wines being made in the region. With Mendoza at the helm, the MWI governing board is optimistic about the organization’s future.
To learn more about MWI and Taste of Mendocino, visit www.mendowine.com.
About MWI
Mendocino Winegrowers Incorporated (MWI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the vintners and grape growers of Mendocino County. With a focus on education, marketing, and sustainability, MWI plays a pivotal role in elevating the visibility of the region’s wines, both nationally and internationally.
Santa Rosa, Calif., (April 12, 2018) – With the value of wine riding on a delicate balance of aroma and flavor, the impact of winegrapes’ exposure to smoke from a wildfire could have significant economic consequences. Last fall’s Northern California wildfires sent smoke wafting over an experimental vineyard in Napa Valley, giving scientists the opportunity to study the interplay of smoke and wine quality, reported Jeff Quackenbush in the North Bay Business Journal.
“The moment the smoke started, my phone started ringing off the hook,” said Anita Olberholster, UC Cooperative Extension viticulture and enology specialist. “I quickly realized how thin the data is I need to base recommendations on.”
The fires near the UC Davis vineyard provided the perfect experimental platform. Olberholster and her research team sprang into action to start a research project on the fly. Remaining grapes on smoke-exposed vines were picked, loads of commercially grown grapes deemed too questionable for commercial wineries were accepted. Over the past five months, small batches of wine were made from the grapes.
“They all have different levels of smoky character,” Olberholster said. “Some on the nose are actually quite pleasant and not smoky, but the aftertaste is the problem. All of them, even if in small amounts, had that ‘old smoke,’ ‘ashtray,’ ‘new smoke’ aftertaste. It all depends on how sensitive you’re going to be at it.”
The scientists are now looking for a process that will remove the smoky compounds, as little as possible of anything else.
Oakland, Calif., (April 9, 2018) – If you’ve ever taken a drive through California’s picturesque vineyards and pastoral farms, you know it’s impossible to imagine the Golden State without them. But California wouldn’t have become a dream destination for foodies and oenophiles without research from the University of California.
Today, California rivals France, Italy and Spain as a global wine producer, contributing billions of dollars each year to the economy. California also produces a majority of the nation’s fruits, vegetables and nuts, and a large portion of its livestock and dairy, with yearly production valued at $45 billion.
That wasn’t always the case. In 1860, New York was America’s top dairy state, Ohio led the nation in winemaking and California trailed 27 states with its farm value of less than $50 million.
California’s rise in agriculture, including its reputation for producing world-class wine, has gone hand in hand with the work of researchers and scientists at the University of California.
In the late 1800s, UC soil scientists led the foundational research that showed farmers how to remove salts from the alkali soils in the Central Valley, transforming barren land into one of the the world’s most productive farming regions. UC researchers also helped establish California’s wine industry, then brought it back from the brink after prohibition nearly destroyed it.
Its partnership with farmers, vintners and ranchers is just as strong today, with cooperative extension offices in every county in the state.
A new industry takes root – UC launched its Department of Viticulture and Enology in 1880, after being directed by the state legislature to help California develop its nascent wine industry. UC agriculture professor Eugene Hilgard, director of the first State Agricultural Experiment Station, led the charge.
… California can hardly fail to become one of the foremost grape-growing countries of the world, since it possesses all the natural advantages.
EUGENE HILGARD, UC COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 TO THE REPORT OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS, 1890.
He was convinced that the California climate made it ideal for winemaking, and thought that with the right techniques, the state could move beyond the “faulty wines” being currently produced to create something truly worth drinking.
While the Mediterranean weather in California was perfect for growing grapes, on the ground there was confusion about varietals, crude and insufficient fermentation processes and an infestation of the root louse, phylloxera.
Hilgard began studying California’s soils and developing phylloxera-resistant plants at the university’s farm at Davis. By 1919, California’s young wine industry was beginning to flourish when Prohibition brought things to a screeching halt.
Spraying vineyards
Hundreds of wineries went out of business. Farmers tore out their vineyards and planted fruit trees. UC’s enology program ended, too, but its work on grape growing and fruit production continued. By the time Prohibition ended in 1933, UC was an established authority on grape growing in California, and it stepped in to help the wine industry recover.
UC Davis launched its Department of Viticulture and Enology in 1935, and hired plant physiologist Maynard Amerine. Over the coming decades, Amerine and his colleagues developed detailed information about which wine-making grapes would grow best in which climates. Their 1944 study on grape zones gave detailed information about where to plant grapes for different types of wine, such as chardonnay or cabernet.
UC Davis wine cellar
That discovery recharged the wine business in California, and was the foundation of the appellation system that is still used to this day. Tailoring the varietals to California’s microclimates revolutionized grape growing in California, leading to better harvests, better fruit and ultimately, better wine.
UC researchers haven’t just helped produce wine — they’ll also help you drink it. At least that was the goal of UC Davis professor of viticulture and enology Ann Noble, who in 1984 grew tired of hearing people describe wine with abstract and highly subjective terms like “harmonious.”
Her wine wheel, which you can download here, is designed to help consumers pin down the aromas they like with increasingly specific language. Do you like your wine “woody”? If so, is it “burned” or “resinous”? Does it have hints of “tobacco” or “cedar”? Noble’s wheel spread like wildfire and has now been translated into eight languages for the connoisseur’s delight.
From barren land to the world’s breadbasket – UC research has helped to grow more than just grapes. Through the Cooperative Extension and in-depth research by its campuses, UC has worked with California farmers in almost every aspect of food production, from developing new crop varieties to fighting pests to determining the most efficient ways to irrigate and conserve water.
UC’s partnership with farmers and growers stretches all the way back to Eugene Hilgard, the legendary 1880s soil scientist. He led much of the foundational research that showed farmers how to remove salts from the alkali soils in the Central Valley, turning what was once barren land into one of the world’s most productive farming regions.
In the early 1900s, the university deepened its agricultural research by establishing the University Farm (which would become UC Davis) and the Citrus Experiment Station (which would become UC Riverside).
UC Riverside Citrus Experiment station
Over the years, these two campuses have become internationally renowned for their agricultural expertise. UC Davis developed nearly half of the world’s strawberry cultivars, for example, while Riverside and the division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is responsible for producing 40 new citrus varieties.
UC also branched out into the counties under the leadership of B.H. Crocheron, who joined UC in 1913 and directed the UC Agricultural Extension Service from 1919-48. Buoyed by the Smith-Lever Act that created Cooperative Extension, Crocheron developed a network of farm advisors, who worked to get important research-based knowledge from campuses to the community. As Crocheron said, the farm advisor’s work “is on the farms and among the people.”
UC research continues to evolve with the agricultural needs of the state. Today, UC researchers are focused on addressing the challenge of climate change by building sustainable local and regional food systems, a resilient water future and integrated pest management systems to ensure a prosperous future.
Fresno, Calif., (March 28, 2018) – Nat DiBuduo will be honored at the Outlook 2018 Agribusiness Conference in Visalia tomorrow, March 22, at the Visalia Convention Center, as the Distinguished California Agriculturalist of the Year. The award, recognizing an individual who has contributed in a significant and highly visible way to the betterment of California agriculture, is presented by the California Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) annually.
Nat DiBuduo
DiBuduo is currently President and CEO of Allied Grape Growers, a marketing association with over 500 members who produce over 250,000 tons annually. Nat has been involved in agriculture all of his life, having worked with his family (Papagni Fruit Company) farming and developing vineyards in Fresno, Madera and Kern Counties through college. Nat and brother, Jerry, formed DiBuduo Farm Management (DLM) in 1978 where Nat stayed until 1984 at which time Jerry expanded and incorporated the company while Nat went on to work as Vice President of Pro Ag, a pioneering fully integrated pest management company. Ownership of DiBuduo Ag Services, an agricultural consulting firm, and employment with Capital Agricultural Property Services, Inc. managing agricultural land throughout California and Arizona, were all part of Nat’s career journey prior to joining Allied Grape Growers in 2000.
Nat has received numerous recognitions for his work and leadership in agriculture including being named one of the Top 50 Leaders in the California Wine Industry by Wine Business Monthly in both 2016 and 2017, receiving the ‘2014 Profiles in Leadership Award’ by the Agriculture Leadership Foundation, and being recognized by the California Association of Winegrape Growers as CAWG Leader of the Year in 2012, to name a few.
Nat’s career has always gone hand in hand with his support of the agriculture industry, his community, and his Alma Mater, California State University Fresno, further demonstrating his commitment and dedication to improving and promoting California Agriculture. He was appointed to the CSU Fresno Foundation Board of Governors, was past chair of the CDFA DP/GWSS Board, is a member of Friends of Fresno Fair, and served on the City of Fresno Mayor’s Advisory Committee. Nat is also a graduate of the California Agriculture Leadership Program Class VI and earned the Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation with the nationally recognized American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
Questions may be directed to the California Chapter, ASFMRA Office at 209-368-3672 or info@calasfmra.com.
Source: California Chapter ASFMRA, News Release, March 15, 2018
Sacramento, Calif., (January 29, 2018) – Every facet of the wine industry, from research and science to trends and markets, was examined, discussed and debated at the 24th Unified Wine & Grape Symposium (Unified), which wrapped up here today. The largest wine show of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, the Unified drew thousands of industry professionals from all over the world eager to hear about the impact of recent fires, trends, technology, research and issues shaping their business decisions.
“This was an extraordinarily successful show for our attendees. The Unified offers growers, winery professionals and suppliers the best opportunity to understand and learn how to take advantage of shifting consumer preferences, advances in technology and new businesses trends. If you want to understand what’s happening in the industry and how to stay competitive, the Unified is the place to be,” said John Aguirre, CAWG president.
Put on by the industry for the industry, the three-day show draws on some of the most respected industry experts. The three-days of symposiums included 23 presentations and panel discussions organized by a diverse panel of volunteers who recruited more than 90 experts to speak on topics ranging from wildfires and wine to vineyard mechanization. Complementing those talks was a two-day 170,000 square foot trade show that housed nearly 700 exhibitors.
“While we bill ourselves as a wine show for the Americas, we draw an audience of nearly 14,000 from all over the globe, including exhibitors from nearly 30 countries, with a diversity of languages animating the trade show floor,” says ASEV Executive Director Dan Howard. “You can feel the collective energy on the exhibit floor and registration halls where wine industry professionals greet each other, discuss the latest news and share strategies for staying abreast of changing markets, technologies and regulations.”
In 2019, the Unified will return to the Sacramento Convention Center from January 29-31. Immediately following the 2019 show, the Sacramento Convention Center will undergo a large-scale renovation necessitating a move in 2020. From February 4-6, Sacramento’s Cal Expo will serve as the temporary host site in 2020, where organizers say the ample space, parking and facilities offer an ideal alternative site.
“Cal Expo as a premier agricultural showcase is excited to host the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium in 2020,” says Rick Pickering, CEO and General Manager of Cal Expo and State Fair. “We look forward to working with Unified to make the transition extremely smooth and the 2020 show a huge success.”
The organizers of the Unified share that optimism. “We are confident that, while the 2020 show will have a slightly different feel, the quality of exhibits, presentations and networking opportunities will again deliver an invaluable service to all of our guests and the industry,” says Howard. “We’re excited to see the newly renovated center and plan to return to the Sacramento Convention Center in 2021.”
For more information, visit the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium website at www.unifiedsymposium.org.
