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• What Do We Know About Modeling Red Wine Fermentations?
  Ongoing work constitutes step in the progression from understanding what happened in a given fermentation to understanding what WILL happen in a fermentation for a given lot of grapes to being able to being able to design a fermentation regime to get the results one wants. Put another way, if the model really matches enough real-world results, it can be used to predict the results of the next fermentation. From there the model becomes a tool for achieving a particular desired outcome
  
  
• Energy Project Grant Funds Awarded to California Vineyard and Winery Operations
  The California Energy Commission (CEC), at a meeting in Sacramento June 12, awarded $2.2 million in competitive grant funds for 10 solar photovoltaic (PV) installation projects to help power irrigation systems in California vineyards. The CEC also awarded a grant of $922,151 to E & J Gallo Winery to upgrade the refrigeration system at Gallo's Livingston wine production facility in Merced County. The projects were funded from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund under two different grant programs
  
  
• Frescobaldi Winemaker Gives Insights Into Winemaking
  Most of Frescobaldi's seven estates are farmed biodynamically. But Nicolo D'Afflitto, the winemaker who directs all Frescobaldi's seven Tuscan estates, would rather not discuss it. "I sell the wine because they're good not because they're biodynamic," D'Afflitto said, laughing. "Biodynamic is the way I reach my objective but it is not my objective.
  
  
• The RNDC-Young's Deal Creates A New Landscape Within The Middle Tier
  The RNDC-Young's combination will boast a market share of nearly 19%, behind top-ranked Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits at 32%. The top two distributors nationwide thus will have an aggregate share of above 50%. Overall, the top 10 distributors will combine for a share of nearly 75% this year, up from 59% in 2010, according to Shanken's Impact Newsletter.
  
  
• In case you missed it: RNDC Teams Up with Young's Market
  Republic National Distributing Company and Young's Market announced a "joint venture partnership," saying the "combined company" will serve customers in 33 markets. ... This is one of those instances where we can say, 'we told you so.'
  
  
• Carriers Stymie State Shipping Changes
  Florida and Connecticut have removed barriers to out-of-state retailers but the shipping companies don't seem to be listening
  
  
• Wine Women Radio debuts on Radio Misfits Podcast Network
  Wine Women Radio, a production of WINE WOMEN, debuts this week on the Radio Misfits Podcast Network. The weekly show, featuring members of the nonprofit, professional organization, has been welcoming wine industry guests to its local, live radio broadcast on KSVY 91.3FM in Sonoma, California, for more than seven months. This expansion to a nationally distributed podcast network, serving Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes), Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn, delivers Wine Women's message and
  
  
• "The Petite Masters" Panel & Tasting Reception, hosted by P.S. I Love You, is July 14, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
  You'll hear from top taste-makers, including George Urquiola of Robert Biale Vineyards, Stephanie Douglas of Aratas Wine, Randle Johnson of The Hess Collection and Artezin Wines, Julie Johnson of Tres Sabores Winery, and Miro Tcholakov of Miro Cellars and Trentadue Winery. These panelists will be joined by other Napa Valley producers to share why they are passionate about producing Petite Sirah
  
  
• New York Winery owner files $14 million lawsuit against deputy, Town of Hector
  John Zuccarino, owner of Silver Springs Winery in Burdett, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in response to an alleged incident from September 2018 and its aftermath.
  
  
• Calistoga winery, city spar over what constitutes an 'event'
  The Calistoga Planning Commission on Wednesday took up the debate of what does or does not constitute an "event" at a winery. They decided that Brian Arden Winery on Silverado Trail had violated its use permit with its First Friday Socials, which take place once a month from 5 to 7 p.m.
  
  
• Editorial: Sonoma leads on wages - will cities follow suit?
  As members of the Sonoma City Council pointed this week when approving in a 3-2 vote plans to push the city minimum wage above the state wage by $1 to $2 - Sonoma just became the North Bay's leading municipality in the struggle for better wages.
  
  
• Vinexpo 2019: A turning point for Europe's fairs
  Vinexpo's visitor numbers plummeted by 30% this year. Felicity Carter asks how the fallout will affect other fairs.
  
  
• Five Times Robert Parker Moved the Bordeaux Market
  With the recent news of Robert Parker's retirement, Liv-ex looks back at just five times-of very many-that the famed wine critic moved the Bordeaux market.
  
  
• Harvest delayed for some vineyards due to unseasonably wet weather
  While visitors are enjoying chardonnay and pinot noir at the Riverbench Vineyard and Winery in the Santa Maria Valley, general manager Laura Booras said this year's harvest could be delayed?
  
  
• Farmers Need New Water Rule, Farm Bureau Tells Senate
  Expensive professional services needed to comply with the Clean Water Act, he said, too often make it impossible for farmers to use their own land to its fullest.
  
  
• Silver Oak CEO: Trade War Making Fine Wine Expensive
  In this week's "Commodity In Chief" segment on "Bloomberg Commodities Edge", Bloomberg's Alix Steel talks to David Duncan, chairman and CEO of Silver Oak Cellars. They discuss the growth of his business, winery competition in California, global expansion, technological efficiency in winemaking and trade war effect on wine prices. (Source: Bloomberg_TV)
  
  
• Ethical consumerism bringing changes to wine category
  Wine Intelligence has released a new report which has highlighted a change in consumer habits which is driving awareness in sustainable, organic and lower alcohol wines (SOLA), which is creating new opportunities in many markets around the world, including Australia.
  
  
• NY Farmworker Wage Fight Exposes Rural-Urban Disconnect
  New York Farm Bureau projections say FFLPA will cost Empire State growers an additional $300 million in annual overtime labor costs, resulting in an across the board 23% hit to farm income. That's something the more urban-minded New York representatives and senators may think is an exaggeration. That's a natural result of the long-standing disconnect of modern Americans with agriculture. It can foster a lack of trust on both sides.
  
  
• Enology Faculty Hired at ISU
  Dr. Watrelot will be a tenure-track faculty member in FSHN and in that role will conduct research and develop an extension program related to wine science. Dr. Watrelot will NOT have a direct appointment in the MGWII although she will work closely with the institute and staff.
  
  
• China's wine market: 'The latest data is starting to show us what China will look like as a mature market'
  The past year has been tough for the Chinese wine market - imported volumes decreased 8% marking the first decline in five years - while consumers are drinking less frequently. But that's not the whole story. While the market is maturing, it's also changing - opening up new opportunities at the same time.
  
  
• The world's largest pot farms, and how Santa Barbara opened the door
  Santa Barbara County's famed wine region - with its giant live oaks and destination tasting rooms - and the quiet beach town of Carpinteria have become the unlikely capital of California's legal pot market.
  
  
• Oregon: An Embarrassment of Riches and Richness
  Two thousand sixteen is yet another link in an unprecedented chain of outstanding vintages in the Willamette Valley that began in 2014 and has now extended to 2018. Compared to the '14s and '15s, the '16s, while on the rich side for Pinot Noir, show more freshness than wines of the previous years at a similar stage
  
  
• Lodi Is Producing World-Class White Wines
  "The focus needs to be on quality wine grapes. It only takes true interest and attention by a Lodi winery to create premium white wines. The knowledge and proof exists. Acquiesce has taken that leap and our customers have responded accordingly."
  
  
• SRJC Shone Farm Winery Receives Awards, Announces New Initiative
  Santa Rosa Junior College has one of only three bonded wineries operating in the California community college system.
  
  
• Riner winery planning to launch new brewery and distillery, create full service libation operation
  The business is better known as Whitebarrel, one of the first vineyard wineries to open in Montgomery County in 2011. It was then called Attimo Winery.
  
  
• Brother and sister act at historic Pope Valley Winery
  David Eakle and his sister Diana Eakle Hawkins are pretty busy - they run two companies and a winery, all in Pope Valley
  
  
• Bay Area's best restaurants 'where wine is celebrated'
  Wine Enthusiast magazine announces its top 100 for 2019
  
  
• Downed utility pole closes northbound Highway 29 in American Canyon this morning
  The pole toppled just after midnight when it was struck by a vehicle, causing downed lines and creating a traffic hazard, American Canyon Police Chief Oscar Ortiz said in a news release
  
  
• Dan Berger On Wine: Sub-appellation confusion
  The Napa Valley may be a classic case of the complete loss of sub-regional identity, which appears to have been, at first, accidental and then willful.
  
  
• How Beth Liston has been key to E&J Gallo's Dark Horse story
  The UK wine market has long been trying to push the average price of major wine brands up and away from the £5 to £6 price bracket. E&J Gallo went further than most when in 2010 it introduced Dark Horse to push £10. Nearly 10 years on Helen Arnold talks to head winemaker behind the brand, Beth Liston, about how it has grown, what she has brought to the label and how Gallo hopes new varieties such as Malbec can help grow not only Dark Horse's own position, but branded wines in general.
  
  
• America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants Of 2019
  Each year, the editors of Wine Enthusiast sip and sup their way around the country, seeking eateries that incorporate wine in thoughtful and exciting ways. This list isn't a ranking, nor is there a matrix of number of bottles, prices or types of food. Instead, it is a selection of restaurants where wine is shared and celebrated, and where, in our experiences, the selection, food, service and atmosphere are all exceptional. Cheers!
  
  
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