January, 11, 2015 FAA approves the use of agricultural drones; Could be a 'game changer' for wine industry

(TWN) - It's a big step forward for technology in agriculture. The FAA has issued an exception to the current ban on the commercial use of unmanned aerial surveillance vehicles, or drones. The agency has approved the use of drones to monitor crops and survey farm fields. This means, growers can hi...

January, 11, 2015 5 Astonishing Facts About Bee-Killing Pesticides

(Care2) - Humans have sprayed all sorts of pesticides to protect their crops since 2000 BC. Yet, after the Second World War, their use increased 50-fold. With so many chemicals left over, manufacturers decided to take the poisons meant to demolish and injure humans, and wage an eternal war against ...

January, 11, 2015 Trade group for wine industry lobbyies on new FDA calorie rule

(WP) - U.S. winemakers are concerned that a new Food and Drug Administration rule requiring restaurants to post calorie counts for food and alcohol may become costly for vintners that provide wine to chain restaurants. The trade association that represents 600 U.S. wineries, WineAmerica, has hired...

January, 10, 2015 Natural solution to botrytis developed

(TDB) - Deep within the laboratories of Reims University a professor called Christophe Clément is working on a longterm solution to the spread of botrytis in Champagne vineyards without using fungicides. As first reported in the December issue of the drinks business, the research centres on...

January, 10, 2015 'Sideways': 10 years later, hit film still makes waves in Santa Ynez Valley economy

(SCPR) - Ten years after the premiere of “Sideways,” the region where the film is set continues to feel its impact. The independent movie about two middle-aged men drinking and misbehaving their way through Santa Barbara wine country opened in limited release in October 2004 and went ...

January, 09, 2015 Nomacorc eyes growth after buy out

(TDB) - Synthetic closure producer Nomacorc has announced plans for expansion and an extended research and development programme after coming under new ownership. The company, which currently produces over two billion closures annually, with production facilities in the US, Belgium China and A...

January, 09, 2015 EXCLUSIVE: Vladimir Putin’s personal vineyard at multimillion euro Marbella mansion

(TheOlivePress) - HE is one of the richest, most controversial men in the world and – it seems – somewhat the wine buff. Russian president Vladimir Putin is planting his very own vineyard at the multimillion euro home he is developing in the hills above Marbella, it can be revealed. O...

January, 09, 2015 Beckstoffer, Salvestrin file vineyard trademark suit

(NVR) - Beckstoffer Vineyards and Salvestrin Wine Company are suing a Walnut Creek company over the use of the name of a historic vineyard in St. Helena, according to a federal complaint. The plaintiffs allege Natural Selection 357 LLC wants to co-opt the name and legacy of the historic Cran...