August, 14, 2015 Activists see Sonoma County winegrowers’ proposed bill as a ‘water grab’

(PD) - Environmentalists are mobilizing in protest of a would-be bill backed by the local wine industry that would create an irrigation district intended to protect the water rights of about 1,000 grape growers in the Russian River region. Noting that Sonoma County is facing “urgent water ...

August, 14, 2015 Using less water to make wine is goal of UCD viticulturists

(DD) - Jesus, it was said, was able to turn water into wine. But how much water and how much wine? That question has never truly been answered. And while a team at UC Davis may also not be able to resolve the matter, it is working to figure out ways to use less water for making wine. A win...

August, 13, 2015 Napa Valley Vintner Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy For Trafficking Sea Turtle Shells, Whale Bones

(CBSSF) — The owner of a Napa Valley fine art and antiques gallery and wine tasting collective pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring with European vendors to ship turtle, whale and seal parts to his gallery, the United States Attorney’s Office said. Michael Polenske, a 53-year-old ...

August, 13, 2015 Experimental Solution to Pierce's Disease

(Wines&Vines) - For decades, Pierce’s disease (PD) prevented wineries from growing vinifera grapes across the southeastern United States—from North Carolina to Texas—and was also found in California. Caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Xf), PD is spread by a number of ...

August, 13, 2015 Willamette Valley Vineyards Files Lawsuit Over Pinot Noir Killed by Drifting Pesticides

(BusinessInsider) - When you think of Malibu, you might think of postcard-perfect beaches or surfers catching waves. But wine tastings? Not so much. And yet, a year ago, this coastal area just 35 miles north of downtown Los Angeles got its own American Viticultural Area status, designati...

August, 13, 2015 Willamette Valley Vineyards Files Lawsuit Over Pinot Noir Killed by Drifting Pesticides

(WineSpectator) - Oregon winery claims neighbor sprayed irresponsibly; defendant counters that he’s not to blame. Oregon winery  Willamette Valley Vineyards  (WVV) has filed a lawsuit seeking damages for the loss of nearly 13 tons of Pinot Noir grapes ruined by an herbicide drift...

August, 12, 2015 50 Most Expensive Wines in The World

(FineDiningLovers) - A wine from Burgundy in France has been picked as the world’s most expensive, according to the annual ranking released by the WineSearcher website. The 1985 Richebourg Grand Cru was picked as the most expensive, beating the world famous Romanee-Conti wine that ...

August, 12, 2015 Napa County: 'Vineyard terrorist' gets year in jail

(NVR) - Napa County Superior Court Judge Michael Williams sentenced former vineyard manager and winery owner Jeffry Hill to a year in jail on Tuesday for the 2013 theft of more than $50,000 worth of wine grapes from Howell Mountain Vineyard in Angwin. The theft was discovered on Oct. 17, 2013, whe...