Sharpest Winegrape Pruning Skill On Display
Release Date: 02/09/2012
Pruning Skills Put To Test In 11th Annual Pruning Contest
Release Date: 02/09/2012
By Chantal M. Lovell
How fast can you prune a vine? One minute? Thirty seconds? Fifteen? 80 vineyard workers took that challenge Thursday morning at the 11th annual Napa County Pruning Contest hosted by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers.
Tired Vineyards Being Replanted
Release Date: 01/22/2012
By Kerana Todorov
Many Napa Valley grapegrowers are deciding to replant vineyards at the moment, but the trend will continue for a while, Jennifer Kopp Putnam, executive director of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, said Friday.
Vintners Ask: Where Did The Tannin Go?
Release Date: 11/17/2011
By Andrew Adams
Napa, Calif.—A harvest that veteran winemakers and growers called unlike any they had ever witnessed has come to a close, but the challenges are still fresh.
Growers: Late-season Rain May Affect Quantity, Not Quality Of Harvest
Release Date: 07/06/2011
Vineyard workers are busy hedging and removing leaves and laterals from the vines as grapegrowers cope with a wet, cool late spring during bloom resulting in shatter — or grapes that fail to develop properly in many vineyards.
Study: Global Warming Threatens North Coast Vineyards
Release Date: 07/01/2011
Global warming could leave half of Napa Valley's famed vineyards unsuitable to grow premium grapes by 2040, according to the latest study to raise questions about the impact of climate change on California's wine industry.
Observations From The Seat Of A Bike
Release Date: 07/01/2011
By Stan Boyd, owner of Boy Family Vineyards and a Director on the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Board -
Recently I had the opportunity, along with three other members of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, to ride my bicycle across the United States. During the two month journey from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida we visited town after town that unfortunately were either dead or dying. This observation got me thinking about how fortunate we are to live in the Napa Valley but also caused me to question why all these towns are in serious economic decline while our community is growing. Riding your bicycle for 8-10 hours per day gives you time to contemplate issues such as this and here are my observations.
Harvest So Far
Release Date: 06/01/2011
By Paul Goldberg, vineyard manager at Bettinelli Vineyards in Napa and active member of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers
The art of growing winegrapes is a story that is heavily influenced by Mother Nature. Although Napa Valley is blessed with one of the world’s best combinations of climate and soils to produce premium wine grapes, it’s also the knowhow and innovation of the valley’s grapegrowers that truly sets our vineyards apart. Every year Mother Nature throws a few curve balls and 2011 is no exception. Grape growers throughout Napa Valley are responding proactively to ensure superior quality that is expected of Napa Valley vineyards every year.
Farming Napa Valley For The Next Generation
Release Date: 05/01/2011
By Ryan MacDonnell, Napa Valley Grapegrowers Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer, Round Pond Estate. -
As I awoke one early May morning, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the beauty of the Valley. It was one of those magical Napa Valley days where even those who have lived here for many years can’t help but be stopped in their tracks by the beauty of it. Crystal clear from previous rains, a slight briskness in the air as the breeze wafts by, everything in eyesight brilliantly verdant and the vines and all other plants, flowers and trees overflowing with new growth and fresh buds. The view seemed in Technicolor.
Grapegrowers Preview 2011 Wines In Napa Valley
Release Date: 04/24/2011
Fighting a new invasive pest, pulling less-popular wine grapes and planting more- popular ones, investing in
technology, sweating climate change and water supplies, and hoping for a fine 2011 harvest is preoccupying
growers in lovely, manicured Napa Valley. If it all comes together, northern California wine country will remain an
especially pleasant place to visit. And the wines will be especially pleasant, too.
Budbreak Conference In The Napa Valley
Release Date: 04/21/2011
Wednesday morning, WBM attended the Budbreak Conference put on by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers. Growers and vineyard managers from around the Napa Valley gathered at Vine Hill Ranch in Oakville to give an update regarding the current state of their vineyards.
Under a towering oak tree, home to a barn owl and her chicks, NVG executive director Jennifer Putnam introduced host Bruce Phillips of Vine Hill Ranch, whose family are long-time winegrape growers in Oakville, followed by vineyard experts Matt Ashby with Robert Mondavi Winery, Paul Goldberg with Bettinelli Vineyards, Matt Lamborn of Lamborn Family Vineyards, Jennifer Lamb of HL Vineyards and Mike Wolf, vineyard manager for Vine Hill Ranch and owner of Michael Wolf Vineyard Services.
The Most Powerful Grower In Napa
Release Date: 03/19/2011
The Napa Valley has been a little short on legends lately. Not legendary wines—there are still plenty of those—but legendary figures. It's almost three years since the last legendary man, Robert Mondavi, passed away and much longer since he was the one man most synonymous with this great California wine region.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704893604576200842057088206.html
Bud Break In The Napa Valley: Another Growing Season Begins
Release Date: 02/28/2011
By Bruce Phillips, Vine Hill Ranch and NVG Past President. Printed in the Napa Register. - As winter draws to a close, grapegrowers work tirelessly to prepare their vineyards for the 2011 growing season – pruning, tying, mowing, and managing winter rainfall to limit erosion. And now, as we turn the corner toward spring, mustard can be seen flourishing amongst the vines as Napa Valley’s vineyards come to life following their winter dormancy. With the emergence of tender green shoots on vines across the valley, the arrival of spring conditions brings with it the promise of another great vintage. It is an exciting time for us in the vineyard.
Here Begins The Growing Season
Release Date: 01/28/2011
By Sam Turner. Printed in the Napa Register. - I am always happy when February comes around with its ensuing warmer temperatures and longer days, signaling that the coldest part of winter has passed. In Napa County, the hills have turned green and the daffodils bloom with the declaration that spring is on its way. The vineyards are alive with cover crops growing, brilliant yellow mustard flowers and pruning crews.
Up And Down The Wine Roads
Release Date: 08/26/2010
By George Starke.
The main subject on everyone’s lips in the Napa Valley … the weather! Last Wednesday, the NVG (Napa Valley Grapegrowers) held a press conference to discuss the 2010 growing season. The speakers were David Beckstoffer (prez of NVG and of Beckstoffer Vineyards); Mary Maher (vineyard manager of Harlan and Bond Estates); Jon Ruel (director of viticulture and winemaking at Trefethen Family Vineyards) and John Conover (general manager and partner at Plump Jack and Cade wineries).
Read more: http://napavalleyregister.com/star/news/opinion/columnists/george-starke/up-and-down-the-wine-roads-with-george-starke/article_76cdde7c-b4c9-55e9-b3b6-a52a0583ac50.html#ixzz1TGB6FPbH