In Napa Valley, farming is more than a livelihood—it’s a legacy. While agriculture enjoys strong protections under Napa County’s “Right to Farm” policies, the long-term sustainability of our region depends on more than laws. It depends on relationships. Vineyard practices can affect nearby homes, schools, and rural roads, which means growers play a crucial role in shaping how the public experiences agriculture.
Being a good neighbor is a core part of environmental stewardship and a reflection of the industry’s shared values. Whether you're a multigenerational grower or new to the vineyard lifestyle, here are practical ways to build trust and goodwill within your community.

1. ​Start with Connection

• Build relationships before concerns arise. Reach out to your neighbors personally—invite them to walk your vineyard, share a glass of wine, or learn about your farming practices
• Open the door to communication. Encourage neighbors to contact you directly if they have questions or concerns. A proactive conversation can often prevent misunderstandings later

2. Be Mindful of Nighttime Activities

• Provide advance notice of any nighttime work like spraying or harvesting. These activities can be disruptive, and a heads-up shows respect.
• Harvest respectfully: Position your staging areas and lighting to minimize impact—keep floodlights pointed away from homes and reduce excess noise wherever possible.

In our ongoing efforts to promote sustainable best practices, the NVG offers the following recommendations for frost protection. This is not an exhaustive list but highlights key aspects of protecting your crop responsibly and sustainably.

1. Communication & Site Awareness

• Communicate with your neighbors about frost season, including its implications, practices, and duration.
• Understand your vineyard site. Start-up times for frost protection equipment vary based on site conditions. Use weather stations, frost alerts, and remote sensing tools to monitor vineyard temperatures accurately.

2. Passive Frost Control Measures

• Implement passive frost control strategies such as delayed final pruning and strategic vineyard floor management, including mowing and, where permitted, discing.
• Maintain adequate soil moisture, as moist soils absorb and retain heat more effectively, reducing frost risk.

Many vineyard owners in Napa Valley—especially those who are absentee or have limited in-house crews—rely on Farm Labor Contractors (FLCs) or Vineyard Management Companies (VMCs) to meet their workforce needs. But outsourcing labor doesn’t outsource liability. As of California’s Assembly Bill 1897 (AB 1897), owners share legal responsibility for labor law violations. That means being proactive, informed, and document-savvy is more important than ever.
Here’s how to protect your operation and uphold the highest labor standards in our region.

1. Understand Your Shared Liability

• Know the law: AB 1897 establishes that companies (and vineyard owners) who hire FLCs or VMCs are jointly liable for any violations of:
  • California wage and hour laws
  • Occupational safety and health standards (Cal/OSHA)
  • Workers’ compensation coverage
• This means: If your FLC underpays their workers or fails to provide safety training, your vineyard could be held responsible—even if you weren’t directly involved

2. Use a formal labor agreement

• Consider using the FELS (Farm Employers Labor Service) Farm Labor Agreement or a similar, legally reviewed contract
• Ensure the agreement outlines:
  • The scope of work
  • Roles and responsibilities for compliance
  • Clear indemnification language that shifts liability for violations to the FLC/VMC
• This agreement should be signed before work begins and updated annually or as legal requirements change

3. Collect and retain essential documentation

• Before any work starts, request and retain copies of:
  • Valid federal and California state FLC licenses, make sure they haven’t expired
  • Workers’ compensation insurance certificates naming your vineyard as an additional insured party if possible
  • General liability insurance to cover potential on-site injuries or damages
  • County registration forms (if your county requires local contractor registration)
  • Labor Payment Bond proof, which guarantees worker payment in case the FLC fails to do so
• Keep all documentation organized and on file in case of audits or labor disputes