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YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS
FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY
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This week's eNews Includes:
CAWG News:
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Lead Story: Lawmakers, Winegrapes, & Technology
- CLEARING THE AIR: Open-Air Ag Burning Outreach Meeting for San Joaquin Valley Winegrowers
- eAlert: Hurricane Hilary Updates
Industry News:
- The Grape Crush Report, Errata 2022 Released
- Five Key Steps to Slow the Spread of the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter
- Future 40 Tastemakers 2023
- In the News: Hurricane Hialry Leaves Mildew Concerns
- Oriental Fruit Fly Quarantine Ends
- SVB's Direct-to-Consumer Wine Report
- Building Domestic Stability and Global Influence Through Innovation Webinar
Upcoming Events
- 2023 Grape Pierce's Disease Field Day - Sept. 6
- Wage and Hour Compliance in the Field, Packhouse, and Plant Webinar - Sept. 12
- FIRA USA 2023 - See Autonomous Farming Solutions in Action - Sept.19-21
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Lead Story: Lawmakers, Winegrapes, & Technology
This week, the CAWG Foundation hosted The Future of Farming event and dinner for members of the legislature, legislative staff, and officials from the Newsom Administration. At the event, three autonomous tractor manufacturers demonstrated their equipment in a vineyard, gave detailed information about the machinery, and engaged with the 90+ attendees. Seeing the equipment operate firsthand in a vineyard is incredibly informative for policymakers whose level of knowledge on the issue may otherwise be limited to an internet search.
The event was graciously hosted by Wilson Family Vineyards and Silt Winery in Clarksburg. This gathering was started in 2014 by CAWG to provide important information about our industry to policymakers in Sacramento. After the presentation and demonstrations, dinner was served, providing guests with the opportunity to engage in direct conservation with growers, manufacturers, CAWG board members (past and present), CAWG staff, and our team at The Gualco Group. Our industry partners at California Farm Bureau and Agricultural Council of California also joined us for the evening.
CAWG Foundation thanks the manufacturers who invested their time and money in bringing their equipment and staff to Clarksburg for the event.
Those in attendance included the following:
- Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa)
- Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (D- Downey)
- Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-San Fernando Valley)
- Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno)
- Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center)
- Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego)
- ALRB Board Member Victoria Hassid
- CDFA Undersecretary Rachael O’Brien
- State Senate Candidate Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento)
- State Senate Candidate Edith Villapudua (D-Stockton)
- State Assembly Candidate Rosanna Herber (D-Sacramento)
We also extend our appreciation to Senator Scott Wilk (R-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) who have been very supportive of growers and our industry but were unable to join us.
Special thank you to our sponsors who helped make this event possible!
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CLEARING THE AIR: Open-Air Ag Burning Outreach Meeting for Winegrowers
Join CAWG, the Lodi Winegrape Commission, and the Lodi District Grape Growers Association on September 12 at 9 am to learn about open-air ag burning restrictions and alternatives in the San Joaquin Valley.
Confusion exists on all sides of the open-air ag burning topic – from enforcement agencies not understanding the nuances of the regulation to winegrape growers not knowing how to legally remove and dispose of a vineyard.
The goal of this meeting is to provide clarity and understanding amongst the winegrowing industry, the California Air Resources Board, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, County Agriculture Commissioners, and policymakers.
The meeting will be held at the Cabral Ag Center in Stockton and is free to attend, RSVP by September 7 to info@lodiwine.com.
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eAlert: Hurricane Hilary Updates
CAWG issued an eAlert earlier this week with information and resources about workplace considerations and safety measures.
The first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, Hilary dropped more than 50% of the average annual rainfall in some areas. Vineyards in Temecula and Malibu Coast AVA seem to have been hit the hardest with reports of power outages, wind damage in vineyards, and substantial rain in those areas. Wind appears to have also been significant in the Eastern portions of the Southern San Joaquin Valley and rainfall has been seen in the Central and Eastern parts of the state as far north as the Sacramento area.
As a result of the storm and continued humidity, growers are on high alert for mildew and bunch rot. Growers who suspect damage are encouraged to quickly contact their crop insurance agent to discuss a potential claim.
If you are in an area where Governor Newsom has declared a state of emergency, please keep in mind that your employees may choose to stay home from work due to the emergency. Employers in California are required to inspect their worksites for hazards and take appropriate steps to protect employees. Possible measures include monitoring the weather and road conditions and then taking additional action if hazards are discovered.
Read the full eAlert.
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The Grape Crush Report, Errata 2022 Crop Released
The California Department of Food and Agriculture, in cooperation with USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service-Pacific Regional Office, released the California Grape Crush Final Report, Errata 2022. Numbers that have been revised from the Final Grape Crush Report are in bold.
The 2022 crush (winegrapes) totaled 3,396,853 tons, down from the 2021 crush of 3,631,750 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 1,914,060 tons, down 5.9% from 2021. White wine varieties crushed totaled 1,482,793 tons, down 7.4% from 2021. Average prices for the 2022 crop: red wine grapes, $1,185.40, up 10.4% from 2021; white wine grapes, $689.45, up 2.1% from 2021.
The full 2022 Errata to the Grape Crush Report is available online along with previous editions.
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Five Key Steps to Slow the Spread of the
Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter
The latest issue of the California Pierce's Disease / Glassy Winged Sharpshooter Board's Bulletin outlines the five strategies that the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Pierce's Disease Control Program (PDCP) provides protection for California's winegrape industry: contain the spread, statewide survey and detection, rapid response, outreach, and research.
“A key accomplishment of the PDCP is the detection and eradication of 18 GWSS infestations since 2000,” said Joseph Damiano, PDCP statewide coordinator. “The continuing strength and vitality of grape production in California bears testimony to the effectiveness and success of the statewide cooperative PDCP.”
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Future 40 Tastemakers 2023
WineEnthusiast recently released their Future 40 Tastemakers for 2023. The honorees across the board have a shared focus in advocacy for the future of the wine industry as a whole.
Four CAWG members were featured as honorees this year:
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Dr. Stephanie Bolton, Lodi Winegrape Commission: Bolton collaborates with growers worldwide, studying viticultural pests, diseases, and sustainability practices.
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Jess Baum, Bonterra Organic Estates: As Bonterra’s senior director of regenerative impact, Baum has led the company toward achieving B Corp certification, Regenerative Organic certification, and Climate Neutral certification.
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Gabriela Fernandez, Duckhorn Portfolio, The Big Sip Podcast: Via The Big Sip, she cofounded Elevate Wine Series, providing personal and professional development through networking opportunities and education, and cocreated the LatinX Wine Summit, a conference for Latinx wine professionals.
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Caine Thompson, O'Neill Vintners & Distillers: Through his work, he’s constantly searching for new or forgotten forms of farming to “farm softer,” working to be more transparent in viticultural practices and helping the industry at large become more resilient to climate change.
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In the News: Hurricane Hilary Leaves Mildew Concerns
California has experienced unprecedented weather patterns. Starting with an unusually wet early spring, a cool May and June, an exceptionally hot July, and a hurricane in August - these factors have converged to form ideal circumstances for a powdery mildew infestation. An article published this week shares that growers in Temecula and thorough the southern San Joaquin Valley are surveying the damage that the storm has left in their vineyards, including mildew and bunch rot concerns.
"We had a good amount of rain on Sunday, but actually saw very little erosion damage in the vineyards,” says Brian Marquez, winemaker at Wiens Family Cellars in Temecula Valley in the mountains east of San Diego.
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Oriental Fruit Fly Quarantine Ends
Effective August 19, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has removed the Oriental Fruit Fly Quarantine located in the Fountain Valley Area of Orange County (not to be confused with the Tau Fruit Fly in Los Angeles County). This was the only area currently under quarantine in the state for the Oriental Fruit Fly.
CDFA reports the adult oriental fruit fly is somewhat larger than a housefly, about 8 mm in length. The body color is variable but generally bright yellow with a dark "T" shaped marking on the abdomen. The wings are clear. The female has a pointed slender ovipositor to deposit eggs under the skin of host fruit.
Interested parties can be notified of quarantine area boundary changes, as well as the opportunity to submit quarantine boundary appeals by signing up to receive notifications for regulatory updates through CDFA's email notification ListServ.
For questions regarding the regulations or map, please contact Dayna Napolillo.
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SVB's Direct-to-Consumer Wine Report
Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank, released its 2023 Direct-to-consumers Wine Survey last week. The report reviews trends including how the explosion of DTC sales can impact your brand strategy, how using customer data can help improve your targeted marketing efforts, and how adopting digital marketing and e-commerce strategies to capture customers.
Speakers included Rob McMillan, SVB Wine Division, Jessica Kogan, Chief Growth and Experience Officer at Vintage Wine Estates, Andrew Walleck, Chief Operating Officer at Wine Access; and Susan DeMatei, President and Founder of WineGlass Marketing.
Read the 2023 Report and watch the virtual event recording.
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Building Domestic Stability and Global Influence Through Innovation Webinar
Agri-pulse is hosting a webinar on September 13 featuring House Ag Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson discussing how new tools and technology can improve the resiliency of U.S. agriculture. Other speakers include Lynn Tjeerdsma, conservation and farm bill advisor, David Kanter, Ph.D., asst. professor of environmental studies, New York University, Jacqlyn Schneider, partner, FGS Global, and Jon Doggett, former CEO, National Corn Growers Association. The webinar is complimentary to join, but registration is required.
“The event will be a great forum to discuss how the United States can be the world leader in agriculture technology,” says Agri-Pulse Founder Sara Wyant, who will moderate the event. “It’s especially timely with farm bill discussions underway. Members of Congress, as well as USDA officials, are looking for innovative ways to address conservation and climate challenges.”
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Upcoming Events and Trainings | |
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2023 Grape Pierce's Disease Field Day
A team of UC Davis researchers, led by Dr. Akif Eskalen, have been testing eight combinations of four biological treatments for controlling Xylella fastidiosa (Xf), the bacterial pathogen that causes PD, in the field. Join them for a Research Field Day where they will be sharing their latest results. The field day is free to attend, but registration is required.
When and Where:
- September 6, Armstrong Field Station, UC Davis
Register
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Wage and Hour Compliance in the Field, Packhouse and Plant Webinar
Fisher Phillips is hosting a webinar to discuss wage and hour hot topics in the agriculture industry including meal and rest break compliance, tracking non-productive time, and compensable vs. non-compensable activities.
When and Where:
Register
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FIRA USA 2023 - See Autonomous Farming Solutions in Action
FIRA USA is a three-day event bringing together all aspects of autonomous farming and agricultural robotics solutions.
During the event, attendees can expect to see robotic farming solutions, exhibitions, presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities. More than 20 demos and 35 robots will be on display from manufacturers from all over the world. All demos and exhibitions will take place onsite, making it easy for attendees to navigate between presentations and the exhibitor and demo areas.
FIRA’s panel discussions include:
- How the federal government is investing in agricultural robotics
- Developing open digital infrastructure for agricultural automation
- Ag robotics education and career pathways
- What robotic weeding can teach us about next generation farm operations
When and Where:
- September 19-21, Salinas Sports Complex
The full agenda is posted online.
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