November 29
CAWG Webinar: CA Labor Laws Taking Effect January 2018
December 7
CAWG Webinar: Whole Farm Revenue Protection
January 23-25, 2018
Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Sacramento
February 22-23, 2018
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Temecula
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The CAWG office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24. CAWG eNews will take a break for the holiday.
CAWG staff wishes you a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, friends, delicious food and plenty of California wine!
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CAWG Briefs Legislators on Wildfires, Pests, Diseases and Water at Hearing
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CAWG board member Mike Testa and CAWG Director of Government Relations Michael Miiller highlighted numerous issues affecting the winegrape industry at last week's Joint Informational Hearing of the Senate Select Committee on California's Wine Industry and the Assembly Select Committee on Wine. Testa spoke about grower priorities related to pests and diseases, including red blotch, and also touched on the wildfires, water issues and labor. Miiller provided insight and grower feedback regarding the wine country wildfires.
Legislators in attendance were Sens. Mike McGuire, Bill Dodd and Hannah-Beth Jackson and Assembly members Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Monique Limón.
View Miiller and Testa video segments (minute marks):
Miiller > 44:00 to 52:15 / 1:05.15 / 1:13.20
Testa > 1:49.10 to 1:57.45 / 2:14
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Visit California Kicks Off $2M Recovery Campaign for Wine Country
"
We are doing everything we can to tell the world it's time to visit."
The state's nonprofit tourism organization is spending $2 million to encourage tourists to visit California wine regions, particularly in Northern California, in the aftermath of last month's wildfires. The six-month campaign - titled #CaliforniaWineCountryNow - begins with a
fundraiser dinner on Nov. 21
that will benefit fire recovery charities. In addition, a variety of media/social media activities will be used to promote wine country tourism.
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Wine Legend Named to California Hall of Fame
Longtime vintner and winegrape grower Warren Winiarski, the owner of Arcadia Vineyards and founder of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, will be inducted into the 11th class of the California Hall of Fame. He is the second California wine industry member to be honored; Robert Mondavi was inducted in 2006. Winiarski's 1973 Stag's Leap cabernet sauvignon placed first at the 1976 Judgment of Paris.
"I am deeply honored to be inducted...and accept this award on behalf of the entire
California
wine community," Winiarski said in a press release. "I have made it part of my life's work to preserve
Napa Valley
...with land conservation, world class wine and cataloging its historical significance. It is not enough to make fine wine, we can be stewards of this land that gives us the opportunity."
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San Diego Wine Industry Growing
The San Diego wine industry generated a $30.4 million regional economic impact in 2016, according to a new report released by the San Diego County Vintners Association.
The winegrape harvest has significantly grown in size and value since 2010. Total acres of winegrapes harvested has more than doubled (111 percent, from 447 acres to 945 acres), while the crop value has more than quadrupled (439 percent, from $785,000 to $4.2 million). The report provides an executive summary, industry profile, winery statistics, harvest and varietal information, and top industry issues.
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Be Counted: 2017 Census of Agriculture Coming in December
Next month farmers and ranchers across the country will start receiving the 2017 Census of Agriculture, a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and those who operate them. Conducted every five years, the census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures.
It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the country. More information is available online, including a form to sign up and how to complete the survey online.
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FINAL CALL! Elections Ballots Due Nov. 17
Please take a moment to complete your ballot in electing your district's leadership. Ballots must be returned on or before Nov. 17.
>F
ax to: 916-379-8999
To see a full listing of growers seeking election,
click here.
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VINEYARDS & WINE
James Farrar was one of the guest speakers at the recent legislative hearing. His transcript and handouts are available via this link.
UC Ag and Natural Resources, Nov. 19
CAWG member Fetzer Vineyards was among 19 global enterprises and the only wine company to receive a Momentum for Change Climate Solutions Award for climate action at the UN Climate Change Conference in Germany.
Press release, Nov. 15
A review of the season (successes, challenges) and a fall checklist for preparation. Also includes 30-year chart on average date of chardonnay budbreak for Lodi. See page 8.
UC Cooperative Extension / Field Notes, November 2017
Main article: Santa Clara County clear of GWSS for the first time in 17 years.
November 2017
WILDFIRES
Article highlights the Mt. Veeder Fire Safe Council and its efforts, and three reasons why vineyards make great fire breaks.
Press Democrat, Nov. 13
AGRICULTURE
USDA Secretary appears at Modesto town hall meeting, hears grower concerns about key issues
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California Labor Laws Taking Effect January 2018
Presented by Benjamin M. Ebbink, counsel with Fisher & Phillips LLP and Michael Miiller, CAWG director of government relations. Bills to be discussed:
SB 295: FLC Sexual Harassment Prevention Training AB 1008: Ban the Box AB 168: No Salary History Requirements AB 450: Immigration SB 63: Parental Leave SB 306: Retaliation SB 396: Sexual Harassment Training
Whole Farm Revenue Protection - Is it Right for Your Vineyard?
Presented by Kristine Fox, account executive with Pan American Insurance Agency. The webinar will review:
- Insuring your farm revenue under one policy for yield and market losses.
- How WFRP can close the gap between the true contract price and the price paid under the typical multi-peril crop insurance policy.
- How crop diversification increases the policy subsidy (reduces the premium a grower pays), which includes having red grapes and white grapes.
- What information is needed to proceed with a quote and coverage.
WHEN:
Dec. 7 / 10 a.m.
CONTACT FOR WEBINARS:
CAWG Manager of Member Relations Natalie Collins at [email protected] or 916-379-8995.
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Renew Your Membership Today!
Thank you for your continued support in ensuring a strong unified voice for the winegrape industry. CAWG is proud to be the only statewide organization focused exclusively on issues affecting you and your operation. All renewal invoices have been sent with information on how to renew online. The CAWG membership year is Dec. 1, 2017 to Nov. 30, 2018. Dues are $4.75 per acre and minimum grower dues are $150 a year for 31 acres or less. If you did not receive your renewal, please contact CAWG Manager of Member Relations Natalie Collins at
[email protected].
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Reminder: Small Employers Required to Electronically File and Pay to EDD
With the E-file and E-pay mandate (AB 1245), employers are required to electronically submit employment tax returns, wage reports and payroll tax deposits to the Employment Development Department (EDD). The requirement will begin
Jan. 1, 2018 for employers with nine or fewer employees.
Information, tutorials, materials and other resources are available online.
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EPA, Army Propose WOTUS Delay
The U.S. EPA and U.S. Department of the Army announced today its proposal to amend the effective date of the 2015 "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rule so that it would go into effect two years after today's action is finalized and published in the Federal Register. "Today's proposal shows our commitment to our state and tribal partners and to providing regulatory certainty to our nation's farmers, ranchers and businesses,"
said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt
. "This step will allow us to minimize confusion as we continue to receive input from across the country on how we should revise the definition of WOTUS." A comment period will be open for 21 days after publication in the Federal Register.
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Water Articles and Resources
Water policy expert Ellen Hanak writes about her presentation at a recent CDFA public forum on groundwater, as well as a survey about groundwater recharge efforts.
Public Policy Institute of California, Nov. 10
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UNIFIED WINE & GRAPE SYMPOSIUM
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Ads/Sponsorships: Increase Your Visibility!
Sponsorships and ads at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium are highly-effective ways to promote your business/brand, stand above the competition and increase your visibility to THOUSANDS of attendees. Valuable opportunities are still available - but don't delay and miss out! For additional information, please visit the
Unified website or discuss opportunities with Jenny Devine at (916) 379-8995.
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San Joaquin Valley Winegrower Association 2017 Industry Forum
Presentations on water, groundwater, harvest/crush, global wine market and branding. Coach Dick Vermeil and CAWG members are among the dozen speakers.
WHEN: Nov. 29 / 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Pardini's, 2257 W. Shaw, Fresno
California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance Webinars
CSWA has several workshops scheduled on sustainable winegrowing and certification. Click on the links for more information and to register.
UCCE Seminar: Current Issues in Vineyard Health
WHEN:
Dec. 5 / 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE:
UCD, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis
COST:
$210 (includes materials and lunch)
Two-Day Wine Grape Production Short Course
WHEN:
Dec. 12-13
WHERE:
UCD Conference Center, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis
COST:
$350
HOSTED BY: UCD Department of Viticulture and Enology.
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