Fungal pressures are complex in Michigan State’s humid continental climate. Andy Fles, Vineyard Manager at Shady Lane Cellars, uses a fungicide program that's about 50% organic, but he wondered if even softer products could keep diseases at bay. Andy got a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant and set up an experiment to test his usual program and softer products against four common fungal diseases: Powdery Mildew Downy Mildew Sour Rot Botrytis His conventional method included bacterium-based products and neonicotinoids, while his soft program leaned more on oils like stylet, neem, thyme, and orange; and a Lupin seed extract product. Andy counted infected leaves to assess mildew pressure. To assess botrytis and sour rot, teams from Michigan State University, Rufus Isaacs Lab, and Tim Miles Lab ran tests on clusters from each treatment. The project is ongoing, but results so far show that the soft products are keeping pace with his standard program.

March 18, 2025 (Sonoma County, CA) — Rack & Riddle, the leading custom sparkling wine producer in the United States, has appointed new CEO Jeff Tuttle. He takes the helm from Rebecca Faust and Bruce Lundquist who co-founded the company and remain actively involved as board members and strategic advisors. Following graduation from Colorado College, Tuttle earned an MBA from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business. With family roots that span five generations in a specialty food product business, Tuttle has decades of experience nurturing partnerships, as well as professional experience in the packaged cuisine and beverage industries. Tuttle brings extensive food and beverage industry experience, with leadership roles at The Pillsbury Company, Miller Brewing, and Bellisio Foods, where he spearheaded the growth of major brands and built strategic partnerships across licensing, private label, and co-manufacturing for 18 years.  “Rack & Riddle has s

Today's #winebiz news for #wineindustry professionals...  Finally, Some Good News About Smoke Taint Smoke taint is a scourge that can ruin a harvest. But as Jeff Siegel discovers, research has unlocked some answers...

The new collection of Manter self-adhesive papers produced by Arconvert offers unexplored creative possibilities for premium labels thanks to Arconvert new technologies, unique textures and appealing colors. Creativity is the beating heart of the new Arconvert Innovation & Inspiration catalog, for, through inspiration and innovation, creativity has always been the basis of every development process. Dedicated to the most innovative and inspired minds of our time, such as, for example, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk or Banksy, this new catalog looks forward both in terms of technology and aesthetics. Despite nowadays’ many forms of communication, labels continue to be the most powerful tool for brands that want to leave an indelible mark on consumers’ mind, starting from the first glance on the shelf. Designed by Stefano Torregrossa, brilliant and multitalented art director of O,nice! Design studio, the labels celebrate some of the most inventive minds of our time. The label