(Wines&Vines) - Meeting under the informal name NEB (Nebbiolo Enthusiasts and Believers), a group of 20 California winemakers and grapegrowers met at Karmère Vineyards & Winery in Amador County on June 21 to compare notes about their experiences growing and producing wine with the notoriously challenging Italian grape variety Nebbiolo. The gathering included a wine tasting with 14 brands represented. California vintners have had variable success with Nebbiolo, as production and quality levels can be inconsistent from year to year. In the vineyard, vines can have high vigor but low crop. The variety tends to bud early but is still a moderate to late ripener, making it prone to frost at both ends of the growing season. Most growers reported typical harvest times of mid-October, and some as late as November. Some growers reported vintages when the vine did not ripen enough to harvest. It also has a reputation for needing well-established vineyards. In Italy, the traditional view is that vineyards must be at least 40 years old to produce quality wine.