Posted in Growing Season, NVG News on Apr 26, 2016
By Paul Franson
Napa, Calif.—Grapegrowers devote a lot of attention to water (hardly surprising in view of recent shortages in California), but most probably don’t focus as much on vine nutrition. While aware that plants obviously need minerals, growers also know that grapevines are relatively undemanding compared to most crops, and it sometimes seems that soil contains an unlimited supply. Nevertheless, the auditorium at Copia in Napa was filled by growers and winemakers at the Napa Valley Grapegrowers’ third seminar in this year’s series about sustainable vineyard practices, which focused on vine physiology and nutrition.
Posted in Industry News on Apr 21, 2016
By Todd Fitchette
Napa’s Valley’s famed wine region produced significantly fewer grapes in 2015, dragging with it the gross value of all grapes produced in the county by 24 percent to less than $550 million. That compares to the previous year’s record value of $718.9 million on over 174,000 tons produced, also a record. Average grape yields fell 30-32 percent compared to the previous year, with some growers reporting as much as a 50-percent decline in tonnage. Total tonnage of wine grapes harvested in Napa County fell 29 percent to just over 124,000 tons.
Posted in Growing Season, NVG News on Apr 09, 2016
By Maria Sestito
When it comes to caring for healthy, productive vineyards, don’t underestimate the benefit of birds of prey. That’s what farmworkers, vineyard managers and viticulturists learned Friday during a field day offered through the Napa Valley Grapegrowers at Huichica Creek Sustainable Demonstration Vineyard. The field day, which focused on “vertebrates in the vineyard,” was the third and final day of a three-part series that included training sessions, classroom seminars and field trips.
Posted in Industry News on Apr 08, 2016
By Barry Eberling
Key wine industry groups say they will oppose the Napa County Water, Forest and Oak Woodland Protection Initiative targeted for the November ballot. Napa Valley Vintners, Winegrowers of Napa County, Napa Valley Grapegrowers and the Napa County Farm Bureau delivered that message in a joint letter. They said the proposed law would add complications to a system that already works.
Posted in Press Releases on Mar 24, 2016
NAPA, CA (March 24, 2016) – On Wednesday April 13, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers will have the honor of introducing one of the most recognized experts on grapevine physiology, Dr. Markus Keller, Professor of Viticulture at Washington State University, at the Sustainable Vineyard Practices Series (“SVP”).