Viticulture briefs

<p class="bold allcaps">Votes on funding pest program being tallied</p> <p>Enough California grape growers cast ballots to validate the recent referendum on whether to continue funding for the state's Pierce's disease/glassy-winged sharpshooter program. More than 40 percent of eligible growers cast ballots.</p><p>Ballots continue to be counted, and results of the voting will be announced the week of May 10.</p><p>Passage occurs if 65 percent of those voting yes paid a majority of the assessment in 2009 or if a majority of those voting yes paid 65 percent of the assessment.</p><p>The state's 29 regional wine associations played a pivotal role in the referendum, which would continue research aimed at controlling the spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, which spreads the Pierce's disease virus to grapevines.</p><h3>Direct-to-consumer sales hold steady</h3> <p>A new report estimates the value of direct-to-consumer wine sales at $3 billion.</p><p>The VinQuest 2010 U.S. Consumer Direct Wine Sales Report found that tasting room, wine club, Internet and event sales remained steady at $3 billion last year.</p><p>The report found that wineries worked harder than ever to maintain their consumer direct wine sales, making greater use of social networking, direct marketing and special events to generate sales.</p><p>According to the survey by Windsor-based firm VinterActive, direct wine sales remain a bright spot in the U.S. wine industry despite concerns about the economy and interstate shipping regulations. Wineries are forecasting 5 to 15 percent growth in 2010.</p><h3>Grape-bearing land hits new high</h3> <p>The state's grape-bearing acreage grew to an all-time high in last year, according to data released in the California Department of Food and Agriculture's annual report.</p><p>The state's 448,957 acres vineyards represent a 1.1 percent increase over the prior year. Pinot noir saw the largest increase of any variety, soaring 18 percent in response to continued high demand for the varietal.</p><p>— Kevin McCallum, The Press Democrat</p>