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 following is an excerpt from a recent blogpost reprinted from WBM, 2009 by Mark Greenspan. The moderate climate enjoyed by the North Coast is frequently interrupted by periods of high heat. The heat waves can reach well into the 100’s, sometimes reaching above 115°F. While foliage is sensitive to heat, it has the advantage of transpiration, which is a natural way in which leaves cool themselves by evaporating water from their interiors. On the other hand, fruit lack active stomatal pores and cannot cool themselves as effectively as leaves. Pigmented fruit will absorb additional energy from the sun, as it reflects less sunlight energy than light-skinned grapes. Outer berries, exposed to direct sunlight, may reach 15°F above ambient temperature. High temperatures are detrimental to fruit and wine quality. Apart from the obvious consequences, such as sunburn, shrivel and loss of pigment, the heat may also lead to changes in flavor, aroma and mouthfeel compounds and precu

Afternoon Brief, July 27th

Napa’s Vineyard Workers Are Retiring — And the Next Generation Doesn’t Want Their Jobs: A generational shift is occurring within California’s agricultural workforce where the offspring of farmworkers are pursuing alternative, gainful and fulfilling careers — a result of having more opportunities and education than their parents and grandparents did when they arrived in America...

Fields of Opportunity Developing the Next Generation for the Napa Valley Wine Industry

Fields of Opportunity students, Eddie Benitez Pizano (left), learned about grape growing with Walsh Vineyards Management and, Ximena Alvarez Parra (right), gained hospitality skills at Hudson Ranch. Napa, CA (November 17, 2021) – The Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentor Program was created by the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) and the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) to […]