Though the 2020 growing season enjoyed near-perfect growing conditions, a mid-August lightning storm during a global pandemic resulted in a dramatic turn for Sonoma County’s winegrapes and a financial blow to the region just as it has with other wine regions across California. “No one could have predicted how the external events of 2020 would impact the entire community in Sonoma …
Oregon State University Extension — Vineyards on the west coast have experienced wildfires over the past few years and are currently faced with a difficult 2020 wildfire season. Vineyard exposure to smoke can lead to smoky aromas in wines. While grapes can be tested for smoke marker compounds, wines produced from micro-fermentations can yield more comprehensive information when they undergo sensory and …
Wine drinkers across key consumption markets have been turning more often to wine as a beverage during the Covid-19 pandemic, spurred by new ‘lockdown’ occasions and more drinking outside of mealtimes, according to a new report published on October 5th 2020. Wine Consumer Trends in the Covid-19 Era draws on tracking data collected from nationally representative samples of wine drinkers …
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology, and the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are offering laboratory services, with limited capacity, to test winegrapes and wine for the presence of smoke compounds due to recent wildfires. In addition to commercial laboratories already performing tests, these laboratories are offering …
On September 27th Stomp Teams from across California competed in the first of its kind, “Virtual Grape Stomp:Backyard Edition” during pandemic. The event took place online using Zoom Webinar from 11:00-3:30 with an Awards Ceremony at 4:30. Stomp Kits were picked up at the Wine Info Center in Murphys, CA and included a half wine barrel bucket, 25 pounds of Syrah grapes …
On Saturday, November 14th from 6-8 pm, San Francisco Wine School invites the public to join their Anniversary Celebration and Scholarship Auction benefiting the newly formed Glancy Wine Education Foundation, which provides financial aid to low income and minority wine & hospitality professionals. Co-Owners of San Francisco Wine School, Master Sommelier David Glancy and Chief Operating Officer Kristin Campbell, have made it their mission to open up …
Sonoma County Winegrowers have reached nearly 100% certified sustainability in their growing practices, but they are not settling just at that. They are currently working with the California Land Stewardship Institute to develop a Climate Adaption Certification program and launched a pilot program this year in preparation. Watch this brief interview with Laurel Marcus as she explains and read more …
Concord harvest has begun. This will be the last grape scouting report of the 2020 growing season. Vine growth Niagara juice grape harvest was paused on Friday to switch to Concord harvest. So far, the early Niagara harvest was looking positive with lower than average insect damage and good volumes. Concord harvest is looking similar. Harvest of wine grapes are …
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published the final rule for the Candy Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA) on September 25, 2020, making it the 16th AVA in Washington. “Candy Mountain is small but mighty,” said Steve Warner, president of the Washington State Wine Commission. “The region has been growing highly regarded grapes for years, so it …
The San Luis Obispo Coast Wine Collective (SLO Coast Wine) announced today that it has hired Kathleen Naughton as its new Executive Director. Naughton has been working part-time for the Collective for two years; assisting with marketing efforts, consumer events and the annual live auction. She has proven to be an astute problem-solver capable of prioritizing and managing complex projects with proficiency. …
Terrence Wilson: Re repellent sprays, which ones? How close to harvest can they be used, and what...