Learn how NEWA's hyper-localized modeling, paired with HOBO weather stations, helps growers use the optimal pest management and disease countermeasures.  Jon Clements, Extension Fruit Team Leader at UMASS Amherst presents the models and tools that NEWA has developed to help growers with insect pest and plant disease risk assessment, and Matt Sharp of HOBO presents how HOBO stations work with NEWA's tools. How to use NEWA Models for Growing Recommendations In the first portion, Jon will demonstrate how to use NEWA models for recommendations on spray schedules, irrigation and thinning models, including: Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Using the Apple Scab Model for targeted fungicide applications to reduces chemical costs and improve the timing of sprays. Irrigation Optimization: Use data on precipitation and environmental demand to help manage water, particularly for drought monitoring in high-density orchards with smaller root systems. Crop Thinning Decisions: The tool

San Jose, CA — October 29, 2025 — Liberation Distribution (LibDib), the leading web-based wholesale alcohol distributor, today announced the availability of Alana-Tokaj’s acclaimed portfolio of Tokaji wines in California, Washington, D.C., Florida, and Pennsylvania, with New York coming online soon. Among the releases is the 2013 Essencia, recently awarded 99 points by Wine Enthusiast—the highest-scoring Tokaji of 2025. Only 60 bottles were imported to the United States, making this a rare opportunity for fine-wine Buyers and collectors. “Akin to drinking silk, this is next-level Tokaji,” wrote Wine Enthusiast’s Emily Saladino. “Ripe pineapple, caramel, clementine, and juicy mango flavors marry delicate bergamot on the palate. The seemingly endless finish manages to be simultaneously sweet, tart, and intoxicatingly rich.”  Library vintages from 2006 and 2007 are also available now on LibDib,

Albuquerque, New Mexico-Based Vara Winery & Distillery Raises the Bar with a New Portfolio of Locally Made and Desert Landscape-Inspired Artisan Spirits

(Feb. 15, 2024; ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.)—JP Clement, general manager and CEO of VARA Winery & Distillery, an urban winery and craft distillery based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is pleased to announce […]

February 9, 2024 – Novato, CA – The California Department of Food and Agriculture Preliminary Grape Crush Report, containing tons crushed and prices of wine grapes sold during the 2023 harvest, has been released. The Crush Report provides growers and wineries insight into the inventory position of the California wine business as a whole and influences market dynamics for the current bulk wine market and grape market.  The 2023 Crush Report, coming in at a total of 3.6 million tons, fails to capture the full story of the 2023 harvest. The crop would have been considerably larger if not for soft demand and disease pressure that caused some acres to go unharvested. Despite the size of the overall crop, most wineries found themselves with an excess supply amid challenging conditions in consumer sales.  For specific details on 2023 harvest, see below: Key Insights by Region   Tons Crushed 2023 Tons Crushed 2022 Net Gain/Loss Equivalent Gallons

Afternoon Brief, March 2nd

Angelo Sangiacomo, Pioneering Sonoma Winegrower, Dies at 92: Angelo Clement Sangiacomo, a pioneering winegrower who helped revolutionize California grapegrowing and a founding partner of Sangiacomo Family Vineyards, a third generation family business in Sonoma, Calif., has died on Monday, February 27, 2023. He passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 92 years old...

Op Ed: Criticism of Organic or Sustainable Winegrowing Programs Adds to Consumer Confusion

Are regional sustainable winegrowing certification programs a boon for the industry? By Randy Caparoso For the longest time, a certified USDA organic seal on a food or beverage product has […]

Wine Cellar of 2-Star Michelin Restaurant to Go Under the Hammer 

The 4,500-bottle cellar of La Grande Maison in Bordeaux, owned by business magnate Bernard Magrez of Château  Pape Clément and led by chef Joël Robuchon, is to be sold at […]