​The Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) kicked off the year collecting cold-weather clothing through their very first Winter Coat Drive.
 
Throughout January, Napa Valley grape growers, vineyard managers, and ag-based businesses donated high-quality, warm clothing – coats, scarves, socks, and gloves – digging deep into their closets to support community members in need.  In total, 335 coats were donated for distribution through local community groups, like Puertas Abiertas, On the Move, and the Salvation Army.
 
“Whether it is a seminar on climate-smart vineyard practices with NVG or a summer mentor program for local high school students with the Farmworker Foundation – everything we do aims to support and strengthen the Napa Valley community for a brighter tomorrow,” said Jennifer Putnam, Executive Director and CEO of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, “To collect warm coats for families in need was an effective and meaningful way to support this winter – and NVG members contributed beyond any expectations!”

The Napa County Pruning Contest is almost of drinking age, having just celebrated its 20th year on Saturday at Beringer Vineyards’ Gamble Ranch.
 
Put on each year by the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation and Napa Valley Grapegrowers, the pruning contest is a way for the organizations to recognize the valley’s talented vineyard crews.
 
This year’s winners came from Renteria Vineyard Management and Joseph Phelps Vineyards, with Erika López taking the women’s title and Casimiro Zaragoza for the men, respectively.
 
​Those who came in second, third, and fourth also were awarded, with Atlas Vineyard Management’s Agustín Arias, St. Supery’s Hector Rodríguez, and Walsh Vineyards Management’s Lorenzo Hernández Aquino winning in the men’s category. Verónica Medina Reyes from Bayview — who won first place in the 2019 competition, Ana Mejia from Trefethen, and Rosa Martínez from Bettinelli Vineyards were honored in the women’s contest.