YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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California Grape Acreage Report — 2020 Crop: Winegrape Acreage Down
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California's 2020 grape acreage totaled 895,000 acres, down from 918,000 acres in 2019, according to results from an annual CDFA/USDA acreage survey. The estimated wine-type grape acreage is 620,000 acres – 580,000 bearing and 40,000 non-bearing. In comparison, estimated wine-type grape acreage was 635,000 in 2019 and 637,000 in 2018. The leading winegrape varieties continue to be chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. CDFA and USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service conducted the acreage survey by mailing a questionnaire in October 2020 to approximately 8,900 grape growers, followed by phone calls.
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Government Relations Report |
NEWSOM DECLARES DROUGHT EMERGENCY
Gov. Newsom has officially declared a drought emergency in the Russian River watershed. While he stopped short of declaring a statewide drought, the declaration is similar to actions taken by Gov. Brown during the drought that ended in 2017.
Newsom’s state of emergency proclamation for Sonoma and Mendocino counties allows the State Water Resources Control Board to pursue voluntary curtailment measures. If that curtailment is not sufficient, the board may restrict or prohibit some diversions even in cases where there are pre-1914 water rights.
California’s reservoirs are currently well below capacity. For example, Lake Shasta is at 52% of capacity and 61% of historic average for this time of year, while Lake Mendocino is at about 43% capacity. With no additional rain, and continued consumption from water users downstream, Sonoma Water General Manager Grant Davis anticipates the potential of not releasing water from the lake by fall.
Additionally, the National Weather Service reports long-term drought remains entrenched with severe to exceptional drought designated for parts of California. If the drought continues and Newsom follows Brown’s model, we may see additional and similar declarations for other counties.
RECALL PETITION LEGISLATION
SB 663 (Newman) would allow an elected official who is the target of a recall election to identify and communicate directly with petition signers. Currently, signatures on recall petitions are verified by elections officials, but the identity of signers is not made public or shared with the target of the recall.
As voters have 30 days to withdraw their signatures from the recall petition, SB 663 would have created an opportunity to kill a recall before it ever reached the ballot. This would be through a focused, “withdraw your signature” type of campaign. The bill’s author, Sen. Josh Newman (D-Orange County) said SB 663 is needed due to a potential misinformation campaign used in convincing voters to sign the recall petition.
Opposition concerns were centered on freedom of speech, as exposing the identities of signers could discourage freedom of expression through the petition process. Additionally, opponents argued that SB 663 would potentially subject signers to retaliation, for example, if they are a public sector employee serving under the elected official who is the target of the recall.
—Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
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DWR Director Karla Nemeth on April 21. Photo: DWR |
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CAWG Advocacy Day and Action Alerts |
Thank you to CAWG members who participated in yesterday’s virtual 2021 Advocacy Day! Attendees heard from our lobbying team, lawmakers and regulators as they discussed key priority bills and issues facing the winegrape industry. Speakers included Sens. John Laird and Andreas Borgeas, Assemblymembers Blanca Rubio and Robert Rivas, and Agricultural Labor Relations Board Chair Victoria Hassid.
TAKE ACTION ASAP!
Part of our advocacy efforts focused on discussing AB 616 and the tiered mill tax assessment budget trailer bill. Click the buttons below to view pre-drafted emails that will be sent to assemblymembers and senators.
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With over 30 harvests, the G3 Ag Team has deep experience in winegrape hauling. Our operational expertise and agile planning combine to provide responsive service for wineries and grape growers large and small. Click on image or here to view video.
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New AVA Proposed in Northern CA |
Upper Lake Valley is on track to be a new American viticultural area in California. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on April 16 published a proposed rule in the Federal Register for the establishment of the approximately 17,360-acre Upper Lake Valley AVA in Lake County. The TTB also proposes to expand the boundary of the existing 1,093-square-mile Clear Lake AVA so that the proposed Upper Lake Valley AVA is wholly within it. The Clear Lake AVA and proposed Upper Lake Valley AVA are entirely within the North Coast AVA. The proposal is in response to a petition from Terry Dereniuk, on behalf of the Growers of Upper Lake Valley. Comments on this proposal must be received by June 15, 2021.
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Dodd, McGuire, Aguiar-Curry: Chairs of Committees on Wine |
Sens. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) were recently reappointed as co-chairs of the Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry for the 2021-22 legislative session. According to Dodd’s March 29 press release, they will focus on mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 on the wine industry. “As we recover from the coronavirus pandemic, it is essential that California support the wine industry, which is a major economic and tourism driver for our state,” Dodd said. “Along with my partner, Sen. McGuire, the commission has made big strides in achieving competitiveness in a global market and innovations in sustainability. I look forward to taking on new challenges, building on our progress and helping to get the industry back on track.” Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) also continues as chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Wine.
CAWG appreciates the work of both committees and looks forward to working with committee members on challenges facing the industry.
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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PD/GWSS Board Recommends 2021-22 Research Funding |
From Wine Business / Ted Rieger: At its April 19 meeting, the PD/GWSS Board approved more than $2.1 million in new funding for 12 research projects related to PD, grapevine viruses and vectors. The board received 18 research proposals for FY 2021-22 from its annual request for proposal and approved recommendations of the research screening committee. The board forwards its recommendations to CDFA Secretary Karen Ross for final approval.
Wanted: PD/GWSS Board Research Coordinator
CDFA is seeking a research coordinator to monitor, guide, facilitate and maintain progress with the PD/GWSS research funding program.
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House Ag Republicans Introduce Pro-Innovation Ag Bills on Climate Change |
Republicans on the House Ag Committee on April 16 introduced five pieces of legislation “to address climate change through natural solutions.” According to Cornerstone Government Affairs, the proposed legislation comes as an alternative to Democratic legislation expected to address global warming. Republicans say they are hoping for bipartisan support and that the five bills will be included in President Biden’s infrastructure package.
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SUSTAINS Act: Sponsoring USDA Sustainability Targets in Agriculture to Incentivize Natural Solutions Act (Thompson)
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RESTORE Act: Restoring Environments, Soils, Trees and Operations to develop the Rural Economy Act (LaMalfa)
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NO EMITS Act: Naturally Offsetting Emissions by Managing and Implementing Tillage Strategies Act (Davis)
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FIRE Act: Forestry Improvements to Restore the Environment Act (Johnson)
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PRECISE Act: Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act (Hinson)
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Bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act Reintroduced |
Four days after House lawmakers introduced their package of five bills, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators reintroduced the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which will “break down barriers for farmers and foresters interested in participating in carbon markets so they can be rewarded for climate-smart practices.” California Sen. Dianne Feinstein is one of the 35 co-sponsors. The bill has support from more than 60 leading ag and environmental organizations.
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CA Ag Leadership Program Phase One Application Deadline April 26 |
Phase one applications for the California Agricultural Leadership Program are due Monday, April 26. The first phase is a brief online application to determine a candidate’s eligibility. Applicants must be growers or individuals working in allied businesses or organizations. The 17-month program (October 2021 to February 2023) includes about 55 days of formal program activities. Dozens of CAWG member employees are alumni of the program, an advanced leadership development experience for emerging or mid-career leaders in agriculture.
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Federal Drought Relief Working Group Launched |
A new interagency working group will address worsening drought conditions in the West and support farmers, communities and others impacted by ongoing water shortages. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will co-chair the group, which will focus on collaborative efforts to build regional, long-term resilience to drought. The White House announced the working group in a readout from the April 21 National Climate Task Force Meeting.
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CDFA's Drought Resources Webpage |
CDFA’s California Drought Assistance webpage is a valuable tool for farmers seeking information about drought assistance programs. The page features links to the USDA Farm Services Agency and contact information for other USDA offices that can assist farmers and ranchers impacted by drought. Information will be added and updated as it becomes available.
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Resources from Farm Water Coalition |
Posted April 12: About 2 million acres of California’s irrigated farmland, or one out of every four acres, has already had its water supply cut by 95%. Another 1 million acres has lost 80% of its water supply this year with much of the remaining farmland experiencing cuts of 25% or more.
Posted April 8: Taking a look back at a similar water year can help us understand what might be in store for us through the rest of this year and possibly beyond.
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COVID-19 Resources and Articles |
COVID19.CA.GOV
COUNTY DATA AS OF APRIL 22
Substantial/red = 17 (April 15 = 22)
Moderate/orange = 38 (April 15 = 33)
Minimal/yellow = 3 (April 15 = 3)
MYTURN.CA.GOV
VACCINE FINDER.ORG
CDPH
CAWG
NEW
Sacramento Bee, April 16
Governor’s office, April 15
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Wine Certification: Logo, Written Claims & Chain of Custody |
WHEN: Tuesday, April 27 / 10 a.m.
Particpants will learn about the requirements for certifying wine, including chain of custody procedures. The agenda also takes a deep dive into the guidelines for using logo on the bottle and written certification claims for certified wine on primary and secondary packaging and other marketing materials. A Q&A will follow the presentation.
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Western Farm Press, April 22
Western Farm Press, April 22
Wine Business, April 22
Senate Ag Committee, April 22
USDA, April 21
Wine Enthusiast, April 20
USDA, April 16
Governor’s office, April 15
Ag Alert, April 14
DPR Director Val Dolcini discussed a proposal for a new tiered mill assessment to accelerate a transition away from higher-risk pesticides.
Ag Net West radio, April 5
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