Insurance coverage will be available starting February 1st for farmowners, wineries, and other outdoor businesses previously ineligible for coverage due to outdated laws. Acting to address the growing needs for a competitive insurance market for farmowners, wineries, ranchers, and other outdoor agricultural businesses, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara today approved the FAIR Plan to offer new commercial coverage for farm structure …

The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) selected Bogle Vineyards as the 2022 Grower of the Year and Dr. Anita Oberholster as the 2022 Leader the Year. The recipients will be honored at an awards reception on Jan. 25 during the 2022 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento. “We applaud the outstanding leadership and exceptional efforts of the Bogle …

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase U.S.-grown table grapes as part of its 2022 Food Purchase and Distribution Program (FPDP). The USDA recently announced its commitment of $30 million to purchase U.S.-grown table grapes in 2022 for distribution to food banks and other food programs around the country. Purchases will be made June through December, a timeframe …

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the leading global provider of wine, spirits and sake qualifications, has appointed Michelle Brampton as its new CEO. Michelle will join WSET on 1st February as CEO designate and will spend two months working alongside current CEO Ian Harris, who steps down on 15th April. Michelle previously spent 19 years at Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), where …

Contents of the January Issue: Bokisch Vineyards – A Labor of Love From Home Winemakers to Pioneers of Spanish Wine Reunion at Sonoma Grape Expo State of the North Coast Wine Industry Outstanding Quality for 2021 Harvest Wine Grape Growers Celebrate Better Year & Vintage The American Grapevine Grape Industry News Briefs California North Carolina Oregon Washington

The Washington Wine Industry Foundation announced the opening of 2022 Bill Powers Sabbatical applications. Submission deadline is Saturday, July 30. Employees of Badger Mountain Vineyard and Powers Winery developed the sabbatical in 2017 to honor their late owner, Bill Powers. TheFoundation manages the award of up to $5,000 to a Washington wine professional with at least five (5) years of experience. Recipient …

Santa Margherita USA, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo, has acquired majority ownership of ROCO Winery in Oregon. ROCO Winery was founded in 2001 by Rollin & Corby Stonebraker-Soles. Located in the Willamette Valley region, ROCO wines are highly regarded, with significant critical acclaim. Under the winemaking leadership of Rollin, ROCO Winery produces a range of wines, including …

SD Media Productions will host the first-ever international culinary event in Sonoma County – the first of its kind to take place in a major U.S. wine region – with the announcement of the inaugural Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience, founded in partnership with the Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW). The three-day celebration will take place May 20-22, 2022, spotlighting world-class …

Washington Wine Industry Foundation today announced the opening of scholarships for qualifying students pursuing wine-related studies. Six scholarships are available to students in two- or four-year programs. The scholarships and their requirements include: NEW! Albert Don Memorial Scholarships established in honor of Albert Don, a respected innovator in the ag and grape community. The Albert Don Memorial Scholarship awards $3,000 …

The Washington State Wine Commission (WSWC) is soliciting research grant proposals for Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023). The competitive research grant program sponsored by the Washington State Wine Commission is open for submittals through January 31, 2022. Both short-term and intermediate research projects are funded through the grant program. The WSWC’s grant program was initiated …