Aug. 19, 2021
YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY.
WILDFIRE
CAWG is thinking of our members, their families and employees who have been or may be affected by the wildfires. We are disheartened to see the daily reports of devastating damage. We hope you stay safe and your property and structures are spared. Thank you to all of the firefighters and first responders. Please call our office if we can be of any assistance.
Monitor Fires with New Watch Duty App
The new Watch Duty app provides real-time information about fire movement and firefighting efforts for Sonoma, Lake and Napa counties (with additional counties coming soon). You can download the app through the App Store and Google Play or visit the website.

Resources & Articles
COVID-19
Legislative Update
As the California Legislature enters the last few weeks of the legislative year, below are two pending COVID-19 issues that deserve close attention. The Legislature would need to act on these issues before adjourning Sept. 10.
 
PAID SICK LEAVE
A coalition of 79 nonprofits and labor organizations is asking the Legislature and Gov. Newsom to “extend paid sick leave through the pandemic to protect California’s families before it is too late.” Current law provides for two weeks of emergency paid sick leave for COVID-19 to workers with employers that have 26 or more employees. That law is set to expire on Sept. 30, 2021. The nonprofits and labor organizations are pushing for that law to be extended (view letter).
 
MANDATORY VACCINATIONS FOR EMPLOYEES
As many public agencies and some private employers are requiring their employees to be vaccinated, there is a push in Sacramento to require all employers to require their employees to be vaccinated. In response, the California Business Roundtable and other business organizations are seeking “a safe harbor that will allow employers to follow the governor’s lead.” This includes liability protections, legal clarity and tax relief.
 
Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485


Resources & Articles

Obtain a QR code and digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record.

Daily updates on COVID-19 stats and facts for California.
 
Links to resources.
 
Fisher Phillips (CAWG member), Aug. 9
 
Fisher Phillips (CAWG member), Aug. 2

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.
NEWS ITEMS
Podcast: Designing a Vineyard for Year-Round Sheep Grazing
The Vineyard Team's Aug. 19 podcast features Kelly Mulville, who worked with Paicines Ranch in San Benito County on year-round sheep grazing. The vineyard incorporated nine grape varieties and trialed sheep grazing last summer with great success. Using the sheep will eliminate all suckering and tipping, dramatically reduce fertilization, decrease irrigation use and lower labor costs.
 
>PODCAST (25 min.)
Foundation Plant Services Announces New Director
Dr. Maher Al Rwahnih has been named director of Foundation Plant Services (FPS) at UC Davis, succeeding Dr. Deborah Golino. He has worked for FPS for many years, including as director of the FPS Diagnostics and Research Laboratory since 2016. Al Rwahnih earned a Ph.D. and master’s degree in plant virology. According to an FPS news article, he has developed an expertise in the diagnosis and control of infectious diseases of grapevines and fruit trees.
Fresno State Welcomes New Assistant Professor of Viticulture
Dr. Cliff Yu recently joined the Fresno State Department of Viticulture and Enology team as an assistant professor of viticulture. He earned his Ph.D. (horticulture and agronomy) at UC Davis and master’s degree (viticulture and enology) at Fresno State. He was previously a postdoctoral researcher at Oakville Research Station and has extensive viticulture research experience.
CalChamber CEO Zaremberg Retires
A key component in CAWG’s advocacy strategy in Sacramento is creating a formidable coalition through a partnership of business groups. The California Chamber of Commerce is a vital partner for CAWG.   
 
CalChamber CEO Allan Zaremberg this week announced his retirement after more than two decades in the role. Heading business coalitions focused on labor, environment, land use, privacy, technology, taxes and other issues, CalChamber’s voice is widely respected.   
 
For example, CalChamber’s job killer list is an annual compilation of legislation deemed to be particularly burdensome. Over more than 20 years, hundreds of bills have received the job killer label and roughly 90% died in the California Legislature, were amended enough to fall off the list or were vetoed. 
 
During Zaremberg’s career, California’s politics swung left in a big way, as today a Democrat supermajority controls every branch of state government. Consequently, he and his staff have had to play a lot of defense fighting efforts to impose new regulations and new taxes on business. 
 
CAWG wishes Zaremberg a long and happy retirement, and we thank him for his leadership of California’s business community. We also look forward to continue working with the great team he leaves behind. There will be no shortage of partnership opportunities for CAWG and CalChamber. 

Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
Recall Election Resources & Articles
Voting FAQs, candidate profiles, election watch and more.

Multiple stations and livestream / 7-8 p.m.

Capital Public Radio, Aug. 18
 
Capital Public Radio, Aug. 15
Providing the very best California crop insurance services.
WATER
Drought and Reservoir Conditions
Delta Conveyance Project Webinar on Climate Change
WHEN: Aug. 25 / 6-8 p.m.
ABOUT: DWR is hosting informational webinars to provide background information related to preparation of the draft environmental impact report.


Webinar on Delta Curtailment Orders

WHEN: Aug. 31
ABOUT: To help Delta water right holders understand recently issued curtailment orders and how to complete an online certification form. Water users must sign up for electronic email updates or check Delta Drought webpage.
Still Time to Register for Public Meetings on Redefining WOTUS
Farmers are encouraged to participate in U.S. EPA’s “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) online public meetings. Space is still available in the Aug. 25, Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 sessions. Stakeholders will be able to comment on revising the definition of WOTUS and how to implement that definition. “It is vital that farmers and rural Americans have a seat at the table and a voice in this process so that the rule responds to concerns and realities on the ground,” Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said.

2020 CROP REPORTS
SLO County

Winegrapes – the No. 2 crop in the county – had a value of $218.2 million in 2020, down 14% from $254.3 million in 2019. According to the crop report, winegrape producers struggled due to reduced demand, oversupply in the market and concerns about smoke taint from late season wildfires. The top five varieties by value: cabernet sauvignon ($99 million; 20,381 harvested acres; 65,973 tons), syrah ($15.24 million; 2,786 acres; 7,216 tons), pinot noir ($15.17 million; 2,265 acres; 6,362 tons), merlot ($13.9 million; 3,340 acres; 8,768 tons) and chardonnay ($13.5 million; 2,963 acres; 10,513 tons). 
 


Madera County

Winegrapes had an overall value of $136.1 million in 2020, up from $130.6 million in 2019. Statistics for red varieties: $79.6 million ($79.1 million in 2019); 20,600 harvested acres; 218,566 tons; $364 per ton. Statistics for white varieties: $56.5 million ($51.4 million in 2019); 12,400 acres; 171,864 tons; $329 per ton. According to the report, Madera County ranks No. 8 among California counties for winegrape production.
 
ARTICLES
August issue
 
August issue
 
August issue
 
Wine Industry Advisor, Aug. 19
 
The Rooted for Good⁠: Roadmap to 2030 initiative (view here) is a 10-year sustainability and climate action plan designed to address the climate crisis and position the company for resilience in the face of changing social and environmental landscapes.
Press release, Aug. 17
 
USTR press release, Aug. 13

Aug. 12
CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER

10 / Nominations due for CAWG Grower & Leader of the Year — details