California Association of Winegrape Growers

Countdown to #CAWG50 - In March 1979, the CAWG Board began planning "a goodwill trip to Washington, DC” to engage with the California Congressional delegation and other key figures. This trip, organized with help from Fresno-based Allied Grape Growers and its President Robert McInturf—a CAWG Director and founding member—marked the beginning of an enduring tradition. Today, CAWG's annual trip to the nation’s capital continues, providing a vital platform to network and present grower concerns at the national level. Each week, CAWG will share history, memories, and showcase the many people who have shaped CAWG's journey as we countdown to the November 21 celebration. Special thank you to Reserve Vineyard Sponsor, G3, a long-time CAWG associate member, for supporting and helping celebrate CAWG’s 50th anniversary! #CAWG50 #WinegrapeGrowers #DrinkCAWine Sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and more information can be found here: https://bit.ly/3VwyFaB

Smoke exposure and its impact on wine grapes from prescribed burns can be problematic for winegrape growers. Read CAWG’s July column in the American Vineyard Magazine to learn. (Hint – it’s on page 14): https://lnkd.in/gU8-SyHt

This week the CAWG Board spent 2 days in Paso Robles exploring the region's 11 AVAs and holding a Board Meeting at JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery. The CAWG Board toured Hope Family Wines, Dusi Vineyards, Castoro Cellars, JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery Production Facility, and enjoyed a dinner at Booker Vineyards with industry leaders. The tour highlighted the diverse winegrapes grown in Paso Robles and the unique characteristics of each AVA. The group also delved into the sustainability and regenerative farming practices employed by these operations. Special thanks to CAWG Board Chair Gregg Hibbits and Board Directors Molly Scott and Joel Peterson for organizing an engaging and informative tour of the Paso Robles wine region.

"Growers today that might not have a contract in hand, they're having to make very difficult decisions," said Natalie Collins, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. "If you drive around the state you can see vineyards that had been farmed but you can tell have been abandoned." Read more about the challenges winegrape growers are facing in the article below.

Countdown to #CAWG50 – After establishment, CAWG began work in several priority areas that the Board had identified: legislative advocacy and government relations, fair and uniform grading standards for winegrape quality acceptance and pricing at crush, industry marketing and promotion, and viticulture research and education. Progress on grape pricing and quality acceptance was made through the legislative and regulatory process. According to Jerry Fry, founding CAWG member, "Two of the biggest achievements during CAWG's early years were the creation of the California Grape Crush Report, and third-party grading and inspection for winegrapes if their price was affected by rot and material other than grapes (MOG)." Legislation to establish the Crush Report, signed in 1976, was carried by State Senator Clare Berryhill of Ceres with support and testimony from many of CAWG's founding leaders including Keehn, Fry, and Al Scheid of Scheid Vineyards. Each week, CAWG will share history, memories, and showcase the many people who have shaped CAWG's journey as we countdown to the November 21 celebration. Special thank you to Reserve Vineyard Sponsor, Bayer, for supporting CAWG’s 50th celebration anniversary! #CAWG50 #WinegrapeGrowers #DrinkCAWine Sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and more information can be found here: https://bit.ly/3VwyFaB

The Lodi Winegrape Commission hosted a grower meeting this morning on the Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven removal. The Tree of Heaven is a preferred host for the Spotted Lanternfly and Dr. Stephanie Bolton provided information on identification and different methods of removal of the noxious weed. Read more about Tree of Heaven Cobtrol Methods here: https://lnkd.in/gQMPnW2A

Today, Governor Newsom signed two historic PAGA reform bills – Senate Bill 92 (Umberg) and Assembly Bill 2288 (Kalra). These bills collectively reform PAGA to ensure workers retain a strong tool for resolving labor claims and receiving fair compensation while limiting the shakedown lawsuits that negatively impact employers and employees. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gYCiPiNR

For five decades, CAWG has championed California winegrape growers, tirelessly promoting their interests and fostering growth throughout the industry. As CAWG prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, we honor not just the journey of the association, but also the collective achievements and resilience of each member, whose contributions have been integral to the association's mission and the community at large. Join CAWG in celebrating this milestone on Thursday, November 21, 2024, in Sacramento. As we #countdown to the 50th celebration, CAWG will share history, memories, and showcase the many people who have shaped CAWG's journey. #CAWG50 #WinegrapeGrowers #DrinkCAWine Sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and more information can be found here: https://bit.ly/3VwyFaB

Heat Wave Headed for CA, Ensure Workforce Safety! Temperatures in many areas of the state are expected to reach 102 to 112 and are forecast to peak on Saturday and Sunday. Employers are urged to take appropriate measures to ensure worker safety in these extreme conditions. Press Release: https://lnkd.in/gHm8ni_U

The California Association of Winegrape Growers supports the agreement to reform California’s broken Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) which is costing employers billions. Read the press release issued by the Fix PAGA Coalition to learn about key points in the reforms. https://bit.ly/4cno3RW