(PD) - Vintners and government officials gathered at the Robert Mondavi Winery on Friday to celebrate the eradication of the European Grapevine moth in North America, which posed a massive threat to the North Coast wine industry when it was discovered here in a nearby chardonnay vineyard in 2009.

Between sips of fume blanc and nibbles off the charcuterie plate, dignitaries lauded the collaborative efforts that wiped out the moth after a seven-year campaign that included $65 million in public funds and an additional $50 million in industry spending.

But the pats on the back didn’t last long given the continuing threats by invasive insects to the region’s wine grape crop, which last year was valued at $1.1 billion before it was turned into wine.

“We won the battle,” said Osama El-Lissy, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “The war with invasive pests still continues.”

Sonoma County Agriculture Commissioner Tony Linegar received news this week that the olive bark beetle was discovered for the first time in California, which is of special concern given how many vineyards also have olive trees on their property.