More Than 220,000 Acres in California are Enrolled in FFF Program  NAPA, Calif. (November 25, 2024) – Thirty-two winegrape growers and wineries from Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties have been recognized with the Founders’ Award from the Fish Friendly Farming Certification program for achieving and maintaining certification for more than 20 years. In 1999, the Fish Friendly Farming Certification program was created to protect and enhance the Russian River watershed in Sonoma County. Soon, it was expanded with a specific program tailored for Napa County and other regions. Today, more than 220,000 acres located in thirteen counties in California are enrolled in the innovative program that improves water quality and wildlife habitat. “The Fish Friendly Farming certification has become very popular among winegrowers as a sustainable certification program because it is highly effective in improving water quality and restoring fish and wildlife habitat,&rd

The Wine Business Institute (WBI) at Sonoma State University (SSU) announced the 2023-2024 scholarship recipients of the Wine Industry Scholars Program (WISP) and the Wine Business Institute Inclusive Excellence Scholarship Program February 26. Recipients are recognized for having outstanding commitment to advancing their knowledge and expertise in the wine business. The Wine Industry Scholars Program (WISP) supports the access, retention, and graduation of students who are first-generation college students and children of families working in the wine industry. WISP awards approximately $150,000 in scholarships annually. The Wine Business Institute Inclusive Excellence Scholarship Program aims to foster a more diverse and inclusive wine industry by supporting a broad range of scholars, including women, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds and those requiring financial support for their education. “This year’s recipients went through a rigorous sel

Join Amorim Cork for their upcoming webinar series, “Winemaking with Intention: Cork’s Role in Creating Sustainable Solutions in Winemaking.” Register: https://bit.ly/amorim-cork-webinar-registration    This three-part journey, starting on Wednesday, June 15, will discuss the nuances of closure sustainability, innovation in the wine industry, and the myriad of choices a winemaker faces during bottling. Host Bruno Almeida will guide the series through the expert lens of an on-premise wine director—because, ultimately, what consumers think matters. He will be accompanied by mavericks and mindful leaders from all walks of wine life: vineyard, cellar, on the floor, and in the classroom.   Sustainability from Vineyard to Bottle Wednesday, June 15th @ 9am PT  What does closing the loop mean for the wine industry? What does it take to truly be a sustainable leader in the wine industry? In this inaugural se

The Next Generation Is Taking Over Creston Winery

Creston, BC November 1, 2021 – One of southeast British Columbia’s best-known and most awarded wineries is making the transition to a new generation of owners.   Wes Johnson and his fiancée Myran Hagenfeldt have purchased the Baillie-Grohman Estate  Winery in Creston from Wes’s parents, Bob Johnson and Petra Flaa, who founded the winery in  2007.   […]

Rohnert Park, CA – Wine Business Institute scholarship recipients were recently recognized at a virtual meeting with the WBI board of directors, donors, and School of Business and Economics leadership. A total of $44,150 was awarded to undergraduate and graduate winners, including Global Wine Executive MBA student Kelli Silva, trade relations specialist at Trinchero Family Estates; Wine Executive MBA students Caitlin Vartain, brand manager at WX Brands, Marcia Torres Forno, winemaker at Matanzas Creek, Fabian Jauregui, former account executive at Ferrero Rocher, and Emily Porter, business operations manager at Sonoma State University; Wine MBA student Fiona Fang; and undergraduate Wine Business Strategies students Gianna Lendino, wine reservationist at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, and Haddie Daner. Winners were selected based on accomplishments in the areas of academics, leadership, and community service. WBI scholarships are intended to offset tuition and educational expenses

The Nordby Companies, the North Bay’s leading construction services, cave building and signature homes organization, is pleased to announce Ted van der Linden has joined the team as preconstruction and client services director. In his new role, Ted will apply his vast background in preconstruction services to ensure successful construction project outcomes. Ted will work directly with the team and closely with clients to ensure project performance and superior results. Ted brings more than 35 years of leadership experience in the A/E/C industry. In his role with the Nordby Companies, he will be focused on building and maintaining trust with clients to ensure the success of the company’s construction projects.  Prior to joining the Nordby Companies, Ted served as the principal of performance engineering at Integral Group and provided thought leadership in sustainability and preconstruction services for DPR Construction, resulting in a number of Zero Net Energy Certifi