Napa Valley Grapegrowers 2009 Harvest Press Conference

Napa Valley Grapegrowers Host Press Conference to Discuss the '09 Winegrape Harvest Forecast and the Current Economic Effect on the Wine Industry

The Napa Valley Grapegrowers held its annual press conference August 17th at Trefethen Family Vineyards in Napa, California to forecast the 2009 Napa Valley winegrape harvest and address ongoing economic concerns.

The harvest press conference included a panel of grapegrowers, viticulturists, winemakers and vineyard managers from various Napa Valley appellations, each expressing concerns about how the worldwide economic situation is affecting the wine industry and stressing the importance of longstanding business relationships. They also provided encouraging news about the 2009 harvest, the culmination of an ideal growing season.

"Napa Valley is a close-knit community of wine industry professionals, some of whom have been in the business for decades and weathered economic storms in the past. What we've learned is that in tough times, we need to work together and rely on our long term relationships to get through this recession," said Jennifer Putnam, executive director of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers. "The superior quality of our grapes and the existing partnerships between our long term, dedicated growers and vintners puts Napa Valley wine businesses at an advantage when facing economic challenges."

Panelists, who spoke surrounded by Trefethen’s 440 acres of lush vineyards, included Jon Ruel, director of viticulture and winemaking for Trefethen Family Vineyards; Michael Beaulac, general manager and winemaker for Pine Ridge Vineyards; Remi Cohen, vice president of operations for Juliana Vineyards and Merryvale; and Matt Taylor, winegrower for Araujo Estate Wines.

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Press inquiries should be directed to Glodow-Nead

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