May, 14, 2015 Twist in the tunnels: Governor’s new Delta plan has critics up in arms

(NewsReview) - When Gov. Jerry Brown announced two weeks ago that he was changing his Delta conservation plan and radically downsizing a 100,000-acre wetland restoration job, environmentalists and water-policy activists blew the foul whistle. Initially, Brown’s plan was to build two massive ...

May, 14, 2015 Canadians opting for California wines over French, Italian bottles

(CTVNews) - Canadian consumers have expressed a clear preference for U.S. wines over French and Italian bottles, helping sales of American wines -- mostly from California -- reach a record-breaking $1 billion in 2014. According to the Wine Institute of California, Canada is now the largest ex...

May, 14, 2015 California Drought: A Wine Opportunity?

(Just-Drinks) - Another year, another drought in California. Having recently returned from the state, however, Chris Losh suggests that what looks like a dire situation for the wine industry could actually present an opportunity to those keen on tending vines. The good folk of Los Angeles like t...

May, 14, 2015 Beekeepers see 42% of US honeybee colonies die off in a single year

(TheGuardian) - More than two out of five American honeybee colonies died in the past year, and surprisingly, the worst die-off was in the summer, according to a federal survey. Since April 2014, beekeepers lost 42.1% of their colonies, the second-highest rate in nine years, according to an...

May, 14, 2015 $100m for grapevine breeding in Crimea as Russia’s wine habits turn local

(Cellarviewines) - Russian wine buying habits are being increasingly influenced by a patriotic wish to buy locally produced wines, Bloomberg reports.  Having been squeezed by the recession, Russia has experienced a social shift in wine buying habits as consumers move increasingly in f...

May, 14, 2015 Duckhorn buys Three Palms Vineyard in Napa Valley

(Decanter) - Duckhorn Wine Company has acquired the prized Three Palms Vineyard in Napa Valley after 37 years of making acclaimed Merlot using its fruit. Describing the 33 hectare site as ‘North America’s greatest Merlot vineyard’ and ‘the crown jewel of our estate progra...

May, 14, 2015 Q&A: The Prince of Haut-Brion

(Wine-Searcher) - Prince Robert of Luxembourg took over the family wine business after traveling the world, and enjoying a stint as a screenwriter. He discusses Haut-Brion, philosophy, and why Quintus costs more than the wine it replaced. You studied philosophy, but then dropped out. Why? I...

May, 14, 2015 Sacramento cancels popular Grape Escape after state booze regulators clamp down

(Bizjournals) - Sacramento tourism officials on Wednesday canceled this year's Grape Escape, saying state alcohol regulators have frightened wineries away from the popular event. What would have been the 14th annual edition of the popular downtown outdoor wine party was scheduled for June 6...