In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, Executive Director Caleb Mosley sits down with climate scientist Daniel Swain to discuss the unusual 2026 growing season and what Napa Valley growers should be paying attention to. Swain explains the record-breaking heat experienced in March and April, the complex relationship between climate change and extreme weather events, and why growers are increasingly dealing with both ends of the spectrum: severe drought conditions and periods of excessive rainfall. The conversation also explores topics such as offshore winds, fog, vapor pressure deficit, wildfire risk, and how a warming climate is changing the challenges facing agriculture across California. 
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The discussion then turns to the developing El Niño, which Swain believes is highly likely to strengthen through the summer and could become one of the more significant El Niño events on record. He outlines the potential implications for California, including an increased likelihood of a wet winter, possible early-season rainfall events, and greater weather variability throughout the remainder of the year. Swain emphasizes that while climate change presents real risks, it also creates opportunities for California agriculture to rethink water management through groundwater recharge, floodplain restoration, and capturing excess winter runoff. The episode highlights the importance of adaptation, preparedness, and long-term planning as growers navigate an increasingly dynamic and unpredictable climate future. 

Between April 21 and May 26, 2026, the Napa Costco Wholesale location received multiple shipments totalling 220 grapevines from Burchell Nursery, Inc. in Fresno County. All life stages of GWSS have been detected on plants from these shipments across multiple California counties, and one GWSS egg mass was found among the Napa shipment. Of the 220 grapevines delivered, 157 remain unaccounted for and may be in the possession of community members who purchased them this spring.

GWSS is a serious invasive pest that spreads Pierce's disease, a bacterial infection that is frequently fatal to grapevines and can also damage citrus, almond, and ornamental plants. Early detection and rapid response are essential to protecting Napa Valley's vineyards and agricultural resources.

If you or anyone you know purchased a grapevine, citrus tree, or other fruit tree at Napa Costco (or a neighboring Costco location) in April or May, please take the following steps immediately:

• Keep the plant isolated in its original pot or container. Do not plant it if you have not already done so.​
• If possible, place the plant in two secured trash bags, sealed closed.
• Do not return, transport, relocate, trash, or compost the plant.
• Contact the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner's Office at 707-253-4357 or [email protected]. An inspector will be dispatched the same day.

For identification tips and photos, visit BUGSPOT.ORG or the California Department of Food and Agriculture website. The attached flyer also includes helpful images of what GWSS adults, nymphs, and egg masses look like.
We know our growers are the first and best line of defense for Napa Valley agriculture. Please share this alert widely with neighbors, colleagues, and anyone in your network who may have purchased plants at Costco this spring. Together, we can keep our vineyards protected.

Identifying the glassy-winged sharpshooter

On Friday, May 22, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers had the privilege of hosting a remarkable group of visitors: a cohort of Ukrainian agri-tech startup founders participating in the UC Berkeley Agro Accelerator program. The afternoon, held at the iconic V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, was a working session designed to bridge two worlds: the deep-rooted agricultural tradition of Napa Valley and the innovative, technology-driven perspective of a new generation of global entrepreneurs.
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This was not a wine tourism stop. It was a genuine exchange between professionals who share a common commitment to advancing agriculture through science, innovation, and collaboration.

The UC Berkeley Agro Accelerator brings together agri-tech companies that already have products and market traction, but are looking to scale, sharpen their investor readiness, and learn how demanding agricultural markets evaluate new technologies. The cohort represented a wide range of innovation areas including precision agriculture, IoT hardware, livestock management, greenhouse automation, and farm data platforms.
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Napa Valley was chosen as the closing experience of their two-week California program for good reason. Our region represents a global standard of excellence in high-value agriculture, and offers a compelling case study in how a sophisticated farming community evaluates, adopts, and integrates new technologies over time. The afternoon was designed to help the founders reflect on the human side of ag-tech adoption: how trust is built with growers, why some solutions succeed while others struggle to gain traction, and what it takes to become a genuine partner to farmers rather than just a vendor.

On Friday, May 8, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers gathered at Louis M. Martini Winery for an evening that reminded us exactly why this organization exists and who it exists to serve.

Our 51st Annual Celebration brought together growers, vintners, partners, and friends from across Napa Valley to recognize a community built not simply on wine, but on farming, stewardship, and the shared belief that this place is worth protecting for generations to come.

Each year, Annual Celebration offers a moment to pause during the growing season and reflect on the people behind the vineyards. The individuals and families who rise before sunrise, adapt through uncertainty, invest in the land, and continue moving Napa Valley agriculture forward.

This year’s celebration was especially meaningful as we honored Jim Regusci as the 2026 Grower of the Year.

Photos by Michael Cuffe of Napa Valley Creative Agency 

​We're excited to announce the launch of the inaugural Napa Valley Grows eAuction, a small, intentional fundraiser built around the growers, families, and vineyard stewards who make Napa Valley wine what it is.

The Napa Valley Grows eAuction features just 12 lots. That's by design.

Rather than building a catalog of dozens of offerings, we curated a focused collection sourced directly from the growers behind the wines: people who have supported NVG for years through education programs, board service, environmental stewardship, and advocacy on behalf of Napa Valley's farming community. Every lot in this auction has a person behind it. Every "About the Grower" section tells a story that belongs here.
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This is not a wine sale with a charitable footnote. It's a grower showcase where the wines happen to be extraordinary.

We could tell you about the scores and the vintages, and they are impressive. But the growers behind every one of these lots are the real reason this auction exists. 

At NVG, our work centers on supporting growers through education, advocacy, and environmental stewardship. The Napa Valley Grows eAuction is an extension of that mission, an opportunity to bring the growers who sustain this valley to the forefront in a more personal way, and to raise meaningful funds for the work we do together.
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The wines are remarkable. But this auction is really about the people behind them.

Explore all 12 lots and place your bids until May 17th at 6pm.
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Thank you for taking the time, and for supporting the growers who make Napa Valley what it is.

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley explores the intersection of music, wine, and Napa Valley culture through conversations with Faith Ventrello and Justin Dragoo. Faith shares her journey from a career in the music industry at major labels like Capitol, Elektra, and Virgin Records to building a wine-focused life in Napa Valley. She discusses co-founding Folklore, a downtown Napa wine bar and record store that has become a community gathering space blending live music, vinyl culture, food, and wine. The conversation highlights how music and wine naturally complement one another and how Napa’s evolving cultural scene has embraced both. 
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Later in the episode, Justin reflects on his transition from the tech world in New York City back to Napa Valley, where he joined Gargiulo Vineyards and helped grow the family winery business rooted in Oakville farming traditions. He also shares the story behind the evolution of BottleRock Napa Valley and explains how the festival successfully combines world-class music, wine, and culinary experiences to attract a new generation of Napa Valley visitors. Justin emphasizes the strong parallels between the wine and music industries, from storytelling and authenticity to creating immersive experiences that connect people to place, culture, and community. 

• “I think the wine community and the music community have a lot in common.” - Faith Ventrello​
  
• “You want to see something authentic… it’s the same draw people have to Napa Valley wine.”​ - Justin Dragoo 
• “There’s a thread between music, agriculture, and wine that all kind of comes together here in Napa.” - Caleb Mosley 
• “There’s a lot of places in Napa that don’t let people be weird… sometimes people just want to be a little weird.” - Faith Ventrello
• “The novelty behind BottleRock is this incorporation of wine into music.” - Justin Dragoo