European Grapevine Moth Talk of Sonoma Grape Day

Almost 200 people met for Sonoma County Grape Day in Santa Rosa February 9, where they learned the latest news about the European Grapevine Moth (EGM) and the best way to control gophers, among other topics.
University of California researchers presented updates on development of Pierce's disease resistant grapes;...

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Can vineyard owners and Russian River salmon live in harmony?

Russian River grape growers are collecting data to counter a nearing state decision on how to protect endangered fish from the impacts of water pumping for frost protection.

The state Water Resources Control Board is contemplating new regulations along the river after federal fish managers declared that water diversions for frost protection have harmed salmon and steelhead

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Regulators to monitor Russian River frost diversions

With bud break expected next week and the need for frost protection looming, state and federal regulators will be closely watching North Coast grapegrowers to make sure there is no repeat of previous fish kills.
The emphasis on enforcement is meant to avoid the fish-threatening drain on the Russian River that occurred in 2008 and 2009 when growers turned on their sprinklers to protect their vines as temperatures dropped below freezing.

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‘Comeback’ expected after big drop in ’08 grape crop

The damage has disappeared, but Mendocino County grape growers won’t soon forget last year’s frosts that caused their crop yield to plunge 25 percent from the year before.  “It was historic,” Devon Jones, executive director of the county Farm Bureau, recalled of the multiple spring nights of frost in 2008. What made it particularly destructive was a single April night when cold air blanketed the region and attacked hillside vines that normally escape damage. Growers throughout the North Coast last year saw their yields drop because of....

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Winegrape supply and demand near balance

Although gloomy economic news has eroded public confidence and shredded business balance sheets, the outlook for the state's wine and grape sector remains fairly sunny, according to speakers at the annual Unified Wine and Grape Symposium. About 12,000 people attended the annual symposium last week in Sacramento, many packing the session on the "State of the Industry" for analysis of sales and the market outlook for 2009.

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Mendocino County: Home of Organic Wines

UKIAH - Mendocino County has more certified organic wineries — 15 — than any county in the nation, making it home to more than a third of all certified organic vineyard acreage in California. It’s a trend receiving national attention, and its success is a combination of visionary winemakers and a climate and geology that makes Mendocino County an almost perfect environment for organic farming.

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Ukiah - #1 Best Small Town

Situated in a green valley, surrounded by vineyards, orchards and redwood covered hills, Ukiah residents have long known what author Norman Crampton states in his book, “The 100 best Small Towns in America”.  He ranked Ukiah the #1 best small town to live in within California, and the sixth best place to live in the United States.

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