Enartis USA announced the promotions of Amy Jensen to Sales Manager and James Allen to Applied Innovation Manager, effective March 2026. These strategic appointments underscore the company’s evolution from a traditional enological product supplier into a comprehensive partner for integrated winemaking solutions, engineering services, and applied research. Strengthening Leadership for a Modernizing Industry Producers across North America are actively navigating tightening margins, shifting consumer trends, and increased demands for operational efficiency. To meet these challenges head-on, Enartis is expanding its leadership structure to deliver connected, cross-disciplinary expertise that bridges enology, and engineering. “The wine industry is moving from reactive decision-making to predictive control, and our leadership must reflect that,” said Francesco Bergaglio, CEO of Enartis USA. “Amy and James intimately understand the operational and financial pressures o

California’s smallest winegrape crush since 1999 March 13, 2026 — The California Department of Food & Agriculture’s Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2025 was released today, March 13th. The winegrape crush of 2,623,443 tons was down 8.4% versus 2.866 million tons in 2024 and the smallest since 2.617 million tons in 1999, but above the Ciatti Company’s guesstimate of 2.4 million tons. The final tonnage, although lighter than 2024, was perhaps slightly higher than many expected. This may be an indication that yields were larger than anticipated, as there was a significant portion of unpicked grapes. Some observations: The harvest in District 4 (Napa) was down overall by 2.2%, with Cabernet Sauvignon down slightly by 1.4%. Cabernet production was down 4.8%, with a total of 432,666 tons in 2025 versus 454,606 tons in 2024. Chardonnay production was down 7%, totaling 491,036 tons versus 527,798 tons in 2024. Pinot Noir production was down 12.9%, totaling 189,84

When we launched the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast in 2016, we weren’t sure where it would go. Now, 300 episodes later, it’s become a go-to resource for growers, researchers, educators, and wine industry professionals dedicated to sustainability. To mark this milestone, we flipped the mic around and interviewed our host, Craig Macmillan, PhD — long-time vineyard and winery professional, educator, and now podcasting veteran — to reflect on some favorite episodes, meaningful moments, and what’s ahead. From Zoom Recordings to Global Reach Craig began hosting when the podcast was just an idea sparked by the Vineyard Team’s goal to make sustainable winegrowing knowledge more accessible. “I wasn't a podcast listener at all,” Craig admits. “But I said sure, why not? Let's try it.” Since then, the show has featured scientists, growers, and innovators from all over the world, creating a ripple effect of conversations and c

ATPGroup is pleased to announce the addition of Brendan Loftus and Georgetta Dane to its Enology Sales team, reinforcing the company’s commitment to technical expertise, regional support, and long-term partnerships with winery customers. Brendan Loftus joins ATPGroup as an Enology Sales Representative covering Napa and Lake Counties. A Sonoma County native raised in Healdsburg, Brendan studied Enology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before spending several years working harvests across major wine regions in both the northern and southern hemispheres. His international experience includes time in Argentina, Chile, Hungary, and other established wine producing countries. He later returned to Northern California, where he most recently worked at Rack and Riddle, gaining broad hands-on experience from grape to bottle. Georgetta Dane joins ATPGroup as a Sales Representative serving the California Central Coast, Texas, and the Southeast states. She brings more than two decades of winemakin

This year’s Sustainable Ag Expo packs serious value for your professional development. Whether you’re earning DPR or CCA hours (or both!), we’ve got you covered with a mix of in-person and on-demand sessions designed to fit your schedule. Total CE Hours Available: 13 Online Courses - open through November 28, 202511.5 DPR (incl. 3 L) 13.5 CCA 16 In-Person Seminars - November 11-12 in San Luis Obispo7.5 DPR (incl. 1 L) 17 CCA Proactive Steps for Complying with CA Pesticide Laws and Regulations Tuesday, Nov. 12 | 3:30–4:30 PM Speaker: Mel Graham, County of San Luis Obispo Department of Agriculture Get practical guidance for staying compliant with California’s pesticide use requirements. Learn about common violations, how to avoid them, and what’s coming in 2025 and 2026. Calibration of Vineyard Sprayers Online | Oct. 13-Nov. 28 Speaker: Dr. Andrew Landers, Professor Emeritus, Cornell University Fine-tune your spray precision!

The Sustainable Ag Expo isn’t just about earning CE hours—it’s a gathering place for wine industry professionals to learn, network, and celebrate the future of sustainable farming. From morning burritos to student-led research and vintage tractor showcases, this year’s Expo is packed with unique opportunities to make your experience more meaningful and memorable. Here are six can't-miss events happening alongside the seminars: 1. Monday Kick Off: Farming for the Future 🗓️ Monday, Nov 10 | 5:00–7:00 PM 📍 Center of Effort Winery Sponsored by Inland Desert Nursery Start your week with an evening of connection, SIP Certified wines, and gourmet hors d’oeuvres. Expo headliner Dr. Chris Chen, will lead a forward-looking conversation on vineyard management in a changing climate. 🎟️ Free for ticket holders (while supplies last), requires separate reservation; additional tickets $50.  2. Breakfast Burritos & Coffee = Day 1 Fuel 🗓

Mark Davis has officially announced his retirement as President of Wright Contracting, a leading commercial construction firm based in Santa Rosa, after nearly four decades with the company, including more than 15 at the helm. Davis, who joined the company in 1986 fresh out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, has been a pivotal figure in the growth and success of Wright Contracting, helping it evolve into one of the premier construction firms in the region. His decision to retire marks the end of an era for Wright Contracting, but it also signals the beginning of a new chapter for both Davis and the company. A Legacy of Excellence Under Davis's leadership, Wright Contracting experienced substantial growth, securing high-profile projects and maintaining a reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation in the construction industry. Known for his hands-on, direct approach, Davis was deeply involved in every facet of the business, from managing client relationships to overseeing major pr

This November, growers and agricultural professionals will gather in San Luis Obispo for the 2025 Sustainable Ag Expo, an event designed to foster innovation, provide high-impact education, and create meaningful connections across the wine and agricultural industries. When/Where: Kick-Off Event - Monday, November 10, 5:00-7:00 pm  |  at Center of Effort Winery Trade Show & Seminars - Tuesday, November 11 & Wednesday, November 12, 7:00 am-5:00 pm  |  at Madonna Expo Center What to Expect The 2025 program offers a robust lineup of content focused on critical topics like climate resilience, automation, and workforce development, with 17 in-person seminars offering 20+ hours of CE credit. Two-day ticket holders also receive access to 13 online courses with an additional 10+ CE hours available from October 13–November 28. Even More Opportunities to Connect and Learn Kick-Off Event: The event begins with a special Monday Night Kick-Off hosted at Cen

Let’s look at some maps Last week I was in the middle of writing a post about how great this year was turning out. I thought, just as long as growers can avoid something disastrous, this could be a great vintage. Within 24 hours, the Pickett fire grew from a small blaze north of Calistoga to a towering wildfire that has since consumed 6000 acres. Of course, this comes on the heels of the Gifford fire in San Luis Obispo, which has taken out over 100k acres the week before. For some growers in Napa and Edna valley, harvest may be over before it starts. While the definitive kibosh will come from lab analysis, knowing how smokey it got and when is useful for metering expectations and determining the next step. And there are some super useful tools out there! The EPA has a wide network of air quality sensors throughout the country with varying degrees of concentration. The map below shows just how many of these stations are publicly available, so you can see where air quality is suffe

Kick things off Monday, November 10 with an exclusive welcome event at Center of Effort Winery, then join us for two full days of seminar, and networking on November 11–12 at the Madonna Inn Expo Center in San Luis Obispo. What to expect:  • Expert-led sessions & cutting-edge research on soil health, climate-smart farming, ag-technology, and more  • Practical, field-tested strategies you can implement immediately  • Earn continuing education hours as you learn  • Networking opportunities with fellow growers, researchers and sustainable ag businesses Whether you’re looking to deepen your technical know-how, explore new innovations, or forge partnerships across the industry, the Sustainable Ag Expo delivers practical value for every ag professional. 🔗 View the full in-person schedule and secure your spot.