In recent years, the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires have posed significant challenges for winemakers and grape growers. One of the most pressing issues is the impact of smoke exposure on grapes, which can lead to undesirable flavors and aromas in the resulting wines. This document aims to provide winemakers and grape growers with a general understanding of their options for evaluating smoke-tainted grapes. “With localized testing now available at ETS, a winemaker can make more informed decisions on whether to harvest the grapes or write them off,” says General Manager Kyle Crowley of VA Filtration USA. By exploring various assessment methods and mitigation strategies, the industry can make informed decisions to ensure the quality and marketability of their wines despite the challenges posed by smoke exposure. Pre-Harvest: Pull grape (berries) samples to test before harvesting all your grapes for fermentation production. ETS offers an excellent smoke panel t

WAVE is the Washington wine industry’s signature research seminar/webinar and stands for Washington Advancements in Viticulture and Enology. WAVEx seminars/webinars feature research in a condensed format.  This webinar highlights the latest findings of a smoke exposure research project supported by the Washington wine industry and led by Dr. Tom Collins, assistant professor at Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology Department. Register here.

Registration Now Open for the Final 2024 Growing Forward Virtual Conference Series

Last Session to Focus on How the New Fire and Smoke Crop Insurance Endorsement Helps Grape Growers Manage Their Risk Exposure Healdsburg, CA (November 21,

Join us for a comprehensive session exploring essential insurance solutions for grape growers. Industry experts will be discussing the new Fire Insurance Protection – Smoke Index (FIP-SI) endorsement for the 2025 crop year. They will cover how it enhances a grower’s underlying Multi-Peril Crop Insurance policy to protect up to 95% of a crop’s value against fire and smoke damaged grapes.  This session will review how the Risk Management Agency determines county-wide smoke events, grower requirements for the claims process, and how a claim payment is calculated with historical references to illustrate how FIP-SI can strengthen your risk management strategy.  They’ll also discuss the new Grapevine Policy, launched for the 2024 crop year, which provides coverage specifically for grapevines. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore these valuable programs and learn how they can protect your vineyard operations. Register Here Session Panel: Laura Hern

Crop appears lighter in some areas; grape market activity still limited Following an easing of heat levels in mid-August, 100-105°F temperatures returned to some areas of California toward the end of the month and into the first week of September. Reports of the hottest summer on record – for the western US as well as the Northern Hemisphere as a whole – obscure a more nuanced picture at the local level: While heat has been consistently intense in California’s southern Interior, Coastal areas have tended to avoid the worst extremes and, in some cases, even experienced cooler-than-average August temperatures. It has, in general, been a good growing year. The picking timetable is well in advance of last year – when it was delayed by unusually mild conditions – and close to normal, with harvesting of the early whites getting started in the Interior by mid-July and in the Coast at the beginning of August. The return of higher temperatures has likely quick

Heatwave arrives; grape market remains slow July was likely the warmest on record for much of the western US, with California receiving the highest heat levels and areas of the Central Valley suffering two weeks of 100-110°F temperatures. The heat has since dissipated slightly in early August, although consistent, more normal temperatures in excess of 85°F are forecast. The general feeling is that vineyards across the state will have been affected by such a prolonged heatwave: Some – limited – burn damage has been in evidence and there is a suspicion that berry sizing has been hindered. The dividends from California’s wet winter are now making themselves felt: Despite the hot summer, soil moisture levels in many places remain relatively good – even at this stage – and canopies appear healthy. Given this and the fact many cash-strapped growers are economizing on treatments, there has been some mildew pressure, but still at normal levels. Also normal