Viticulture briefs
Published: Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 4:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, March 8, 2013 at 6:51 p.m.
Final numbers for 2012 harvest are in
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the final 2012 California Grape Crush Report, and the record North Bay harvest was larger and more valuable than preliminary estimates last month.
In Sonoma County, 267,062 tons were crushed, up 60.3 percent from 2011. The crop was worth an estimated $582.9 million, up 68 percent from the previous year.
Yields were up in Napa County, where 182,859 tons were crushed; in Mendocino County, with 71,095 tons; and in Lake County, with 34,814 tons.
The value of grapes for the region grew 59 percent to $1.38 billion.
Workshop on how to communicate about sustainable wines
The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and Wine Institute are offering a March 26 workshop on communicating about sustainability.
Speakers include: Emily Wines of Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, Peter Granoff of Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, Michael Honig of Honig Vineyards & Winery, Cynthia Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Marissa Lange of LangeTwins Winery & Vineyards, Mora Cronin of Cronin Communications and others.
The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wine Institute offices in San Francisco and also via webinar. There is no cost to attend. Lunch is included. Visit www.wineinstitute.org for more information.
Wine industry seeks funding to battle European Grapevine Moth
The California Institute of Winegrowers, Wine Institute and Family Winemakers of California sent a joint letter this week to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging full funding of European Grapevine Moth eradication efforts.
Last fall, a group of international and domestic experts convened by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine released a recommended eradication plan for 2013 that costs $8.2 million to implement. Officials with the California Department of Food and Agriculture have expressed their willingness to contribute $1.7 million toward that eradication plan, leaving a balance of $6.5 million for USDA to fund.
Compiled by Cathy Bussewitz. Submit items to cathy.bussewitz@pressdemocrat.com.
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