FEBRUARY 1, 2019
YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY.
THIS WEEK IN SACRAMENTO
CHEERS to the 25th Unified Wine & Grape Symposium!
THANK YOU...
to all of the CAWG members who attended, supported, helped organize and presented at this week’s 25th annual Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. We hope the event was valuable for you and your business. Upcoming issues of The Crush will include articles on the state of the industry, rosé session and other breakout sessions.

LEGISLATORS JOIN CAWG AT UNIFIED
CAWG invited legislative leaders to a reception at our booth and to visit the regional wine tastings on the trade floor. CAWG directors met with lawmakers and told them about our industry and issues that are important to winegrape growers. Legislators who stopped by included Sens. Bob Archuleta (D-Artesia), Bill Dodd (D-Napa), Andreas Borgeas (R-Modesto), Melissa Hurtado (D-Hanford), Scott Wilk (R-Antelope Valley) and Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont), plus Asssemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove), Marc Levine (D-Marin County), Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) Jim Patterson (R-Fresno), Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) and Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno).
 
PHOTOS
> CAWG FACEBOOK PAGE (view all of our Unified photos featuring CAWG members)
  
SESSION SURVEYS
Attendees are encouraged to take the brief  online surveys for the speaker luncheon, state of the industry and breakout sessions. Your responses will be valuable for future planning.
Jerry Lohr Honored with 2018 Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award
Jerry Lohr, of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, was honored with the 2018 Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes an individual who has made major contributions to the American grape and wine industry and research, while emulating Rich Smith’s defining traits of passion, commitment and collaboration. Lohr received the award during a presentation by Claudia, Jason and Kacy Smith at the Winegrape Growers of America (WGA) Leadership Luncheon on Jan. 30. The award is co-sponsored by WGA, National Grape Research Alliance and WineAmerica. Congratulations to Jerry!
 
> CAWG FACEBOOK PAGE (award event photos) 
 
TOP NEWS ITEMS
Update on Grape Crush Report and Other NASS Reports
USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) is back to work and has begun rescheduling reports that were affected by the lapse in federal funding. During the government shutdown, NASS was not able to collect data nor issue reports. NASS and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) intend to revise the publication schedule for the Crush Report. At this point, no preliminary report on Feb. 8 is expected; only a final report and errata will be published. Once CAWG receives an update from NASS and CDFA on the  Grape Crush Report publication timeline, we will announce that information .
Government Relations Report
WHAT IS THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY?
The  Pierce’s Disease Control Program  has had tremendous success in protecting California winegrapes from infestation by the glassy-winged sharpshooter and protecting against Pierce’s disease infections in vineyards. Last week the  Pierce’s Disease/Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board  received an informational  briefing on a significant new pest  found on the East Coast and the potential threat to California.
 
The  spotted lanternfly  is native to China and was first detected in Pennsylvania in September 2014. Since then it has spread to six other states. Most of southeast Pennsylvania is currently under quarantine. The spotted lanternfly feeds on a wide range of fruit and ornamental and woody trees, with tree-of-heaven being its preferred host. 
 
The  USDA  reports, “Spotted lanternflies are invasive and can be spread long distances by people who move infested material or items containing egg masses. If allowed to spread in the United States, this pest could seriously impact the country’s grape, orchard and logging industries.”
 
Because the spotted lanternfly lays eggs on almost any surface, including vehicles like rail cars and trailers, the pest is easily spread over long distances by people. Experts at Pennsylvania State University have already briefed officials at the  California Department of Food and Agriculture . While the spotted lanternfly has not reached the golden state, CDFA is paying close attention and growers may also want to read more about the pest.  Penn State  has valuable information available online. 

PD/GWSS BOARD: NEW OFFICERS AND MEMBERS; BOB WYNN RETIRES
New officers and staff changes were announced at the Pierce’s Disease/Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (PD/GWSS) board meeting on Jan. 25.  
 
NEW OFFICERS AND MEMBERS:
  • Chair: Keith Horn, general manager of Central Coast grape management for Constellation Brands in Gonzales.
  • Vice chair: Domonic Rossini, partner/owner of Fratello Farming in Modesto. 
  • Treasurer: William Drayton, technical viticulture manager with Treasury Wine Estates in St. Helena.
  • New members: Drayton; Randy Heinzen, president of Vineyard Professional Services in Paso Robles; and Jeff Bitter, president of Allied Grape Growers in Fresno.

WYNN RETIRES
Bob Wynn, the statewide coordinator of the PD Control Program since it was created in December 2000, attended his final meeting on Jan. 25. At the meeting he received an Assembly Resolution from the chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Wine to recognize his decades of service with CDFA. CAWG appreciates all that Wynn has done for the winegrape industry and wishes him a happy and long retirement. Roger Spencer, PD Control Program environmental program manager, was named his successor. 


-Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / 916-379-8995
Senate Republicans Reintroduce Bill to Completely Eliminate Estate Tax
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) has reintroduced legislation to permanently repeal the federal estate tax and end a “purely punitive tax” that could devastate family farms, ranches and businesses as the result of the owner’s death. More than two dozen GOP senators are backing the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019 ( S. 215 ). Thune led the Senate’s effort to repeal the estate tax while Congress considered the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017. “Although we made great progress during the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act negotiations, the death tax still remains an onerous and unfair tax that punishes hard-working families,” said Thune.  H.R. 218 , also called the Death Tax Repeal Act, was introduced in the House in early January.

Certified Sustainable Vineyards, Wineries Continue to Grow: CSWA Annual Report
The Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing annual report is now available online. The report highlights the accomplishments of California’s 143 wineries and 1,398 vineyards that are Certified Sustainable. In 2018, the program continued double digit growth, with a 44 percent increase in certified vineyards and a 13 percent increase in certified wineries.
                               
> REPORT

WATER & WEATHER
Statewide Sierra Snowpack is 100 Percent of Average
Thank you, atmospheric river. Officials yesterday ventured into the Sierra Nevada east of Sacramento to measure California's snowpack. The manual survey recorded 50 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 18 inches, which is 98 percent of average to date for that site. In comparison, it was 14 percent of average at this time and location last year. Statewide, the Sierra snowpack is 100 percent of average, a significant increase from 67 percent of average on Jan. 3.

Groundwater Pumping Survey
Lawrence Berkeley Lab, funded by the California Energy Commission, is seeking participants for a survey related to groundwater pumping. Participation is anonymous and individual responses will remain confidential.
 

CAWG FOUNDATION
CAWG Foundation Scholarship Applications Due March 8
Each year the CAWG Foundation awards scholarships to several high school seniors whose parents or legal guardians are employed by California winegrape growers.  The application deadline is March 8 . Please share the information and link with your employees. Since the program's inception in 1998, the foundation has awarded $433,000 in scholarships.


CAWG eNEWS SPONSORS
CAWG's preferred partner for insurance products for more than 20 years. Group workers' comp, wine industry package, federal crop insurance, employee benefits...and more. For more information: 888-640-0592 or via email . Paid sponsorship: CA license No. 0F89850.
Save on labor with mechanical pruning compatibility. Ask about Eco Trellis today.
Providing the very best California crop insurance services.
Providing creative, integrated solutions for our beverage and agricultural industry partners with quality packaging products and supply chain services.
Proud member and supporter of CAWG since 1995. Winegrape crop insurance deadline is Jan. 31, 2018. For more information: 1-844-CROPINS (276-7467) or info@VintageCrop.com. CA license No. 0H05084. Vintage Crop Insurance Agency, Inc. ® is an equal opportunity provider.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SPONSORING CAWG eNEWS, CALL 916-379-8995.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Vineyards & Wine
Ag Labor
Brief survey is being conducted by Farm Employers Labor Service, California Farm Bureau Federation and UC Davis. Survey should take 10 minutes.
AgNet West, Jan. 29

RESOURCES
Reminder: Post Form 300A Starting Today - Feb. 1
Cal/OSHA is  reminding all eligible employers in California to post their 2018 annual summaries of work-related injuries and illnesses (Form 300A) from Feb. 1 through April 30. Instructions and form templates can be downloaded from  Cal/OSHA’s Record Keeping Overview , which gives instructions on completing the log (Form 300) and annual summary (Form 300A). The annual summary must be placed in a visible and easily accessible area at each worksite. 
DPR's Pesticide Safety Information in English, Spanish and Punjabi
California regulations require that the documents listed below – part of DPR’s Pesticide Safety Information Series leaflets -- are part of pesticide handler and field worker training. > ALL PDF LEAFLETS

  • Working Safely with Pesticides in Ag Settings
  • Storing, Moving and Disposing of Pesticides in Ag Settings
  • Closed Mixing Systems, Water-Soluble Packaging, and Enclosed Cabs in Ag Settings
  • First Aid and Emergency Decontamination
  • Protecting Yourself from Breathing Pesticides in Ag Settings
  • Safety Rules for Minimal Exposure Pesticides (MEPs) in Ag Settings
  • Washing Pesticide Work Clothing
  • Safety Rules for Pesticide Handlers in Ag Settings
  • Pesticide Safety Rules for Farmworkers
  • Extra Medical Care for Handlers Who Use Organophosphates and Carbamates 

UPCOMING EVENTS
UCD and UC ANR Grapevine Production Short Course
Four full days of instruction with hands on demos in the vineyard.

WHEN: Feb. 12-15 
WHERE: Springhill Suites in Napa and Oakville Experiment Station
COST: $1,200

CSWA Webinars and Workshops
CSWA Sustainable Winegrowing & Certification Overview Webinar
Learn about the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program, how to complete a self-assessment using the online portal and the steps required to become Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing.

> FEB. 5 / 10-11:30 a.m.

> FEB. 20 / 10-11:30 a.m.

Napa and Sonoma CSWA Farm Plan Template / LandSmart Workshop
Workshops are designed to assist growers who have already begun completing the CSWA Farm Plan Template or LandSmart.

> NAPA / FEB. 25 / 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

> SONOMA / FEB. 26 / 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

CALENDAR
February 26
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Sacramento 

April 10
CAWG Winegrape Day in the Capitol, Sacramento

April 10
CAWG Foundation Wine Reception, Sacramento

April 11
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Sacramento