In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley sits down with Dr. Monica Cooper and Dr. Malcolm Hobbs of the UC Cooperative Extension Napa County office for a wide-ranging conversation about how science gets translated into action in the vineyard. Monica, who has served as Napa's viticulture advisor since 2009, traces her research path from biocontrol and insect vectors of leafroll disease through to red blotch, which has become one of her primary focuses. Malcolm, who got his start counting ants in the vineyard part time, brings a social science lens to a field that doesn't always think in those terms. Together, they unpack a deceptively hard problem: how do you get neighboring growers to coordinate on a disease like red blotch, when that means having a sensitive conversation with someone you may have never met, or may have had a disagreement with in the past?

That question led Monica and Malcolm to study communication networks across the county and to explore the concept of neighborhood groups, voluntary, small-scale organizations where growers in close proximity can build the trust needed to actually work together on regional disease management. They talk through what makes those groups work, what gets in the way, and why spreading a new farming practice through a community looks a lot like any other kind of social change.
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For Glass with a Grower, Scott Becker of Realm Cellars arrives with two bottles that tell fifty years of Napa history in a single sitting: the newly released 2024 Moon Racer from the Stags Leap District, and a 1974 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet, the winery's first-ever Cabernet bottling, sourced from the same district and pulled from a Silicon Valley cellar where it had been stored impeccably for decades. The conversation moves fluidly between the wines, touching on mentorship, the pioneering names of Napa's early era, and Realm's philosophy of stewarding vineyard legacies — keeping the names, the histories, and the intention of the people who came before. 

• "How do you approach your neighbor to collaborate and coordinate practices? How do you have that conversation? That's very sensitive." - Dr. Monica Cooper
  
• "If you're making wine in Napa Valley today, you're standing on the shoulders of somebody else." - Scott Becker
  
• "How do I empower information to really move through our community? It doesn't have to come from me directly. In fact, if it doesn't come from me directly, that's more efficient overall." - Dr. Malcolm Hobbs
  
• "That name is now bigger than them. It's bigger than me. And so our job is to sort of steward that." - Scott Becker 
• "You wouldn't not manage for powdery mildew, because it's the norm of farming. What we need to do is get red blotch to that same place, normal farming." - Dr. Monica Cooper

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 

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, NVG Executive Director Caleb Mosley speaks with Natalie Collins and John Chandler about the role of the California Association of Winegrape Growers in advocating for growers across the state. They discuss how regional and statewide grower organizations collaborate to address major industry challenges, including market pressures, labor policy, and regulatory issues. The conversation highlights current legislative priorities such as improving wine labeling transparency, expanding opportunities for wineries at farmers markets, and pursuing an agricultural overtime tax credit to help offset labor costs for growers. Despite limited resources, CAWG continues to push proactive policies and unite diverse wine regions to strengthen the future of California winegrape farming. 
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In the episode’s Glass with a Grower segment, Caleb sits down with Lise Asimont of Foley Family Farms to share stories from her career in California agriculture and the wine industry. The conversation offers a candid look at the people behind the vineyards, blending humor, insight, and a fresh perspective on wine culture. Asimont emphasizes that wine should remain approachable and joyful, reminding listeners that the best experiences with wine come from sharing it with others. 

• “We are not a reactionary group. We’re not just fighting bad policy. We’re introducing good policy and trying to get ahead of what’s coming down the road.” - Natalie Collins 
• “I’m a fourth-generation farmer. Farming has been in my family since the late 1800s, so wine grapes are just one part of a long agricultural story for us.” - John Chandler 
• “Wine should be approachable, joyful, and shared with everyone.” - Lise Asimont 
• “Everyone is trying to do more with less right now. Just like our growers, our associations are being asked to solve more problems with fewer resources than ever before.” - Natalie Collins 
• “As growers, we’re busy farming every day. Associations like CAWG are critical because they tackle the issues we simply don’t have time to fight on our own.” - John Chandler 
• “I’ve been in the wine industry for about thirty years now… and I started my career sleeping in my truck during frost season in Santa Maria.” - Lise Asimont 

This episode of Grown in Napa Valley features two conversations highlighting the people and perspectives shaping the future of Napa Valley’s wine industry. In the first segment, Caleb Mosley speaks with Enoch Shully of Napa Valley College about his unconventional path from electrical engineering and hospitality to leading wine education programs in Napa. Shully shares how his career in restaurants and wine eventually brought him to California and inspired a passion for creating pathways into the wine industry. At the college, he focuses on expanding education, mentorship, and accessibility, helping prepare students from diverse backgrounds with the technical, hospitality, and marketing skills needed to succeed in the wine world. 
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In the second segment, Caleb sits down with John McCarthy, Vineyard Director for the Far Niente family of wineries, for the podcast’s “Glass with a Grower” discussion. McCarthy reflects on his journey from growing up in Lake County vineyards to leading vineyard operations in Napa Valley, emphasizing the importance of long-term vineyard stewardship and thoughtful farming practices. The conversation explores the realities of modern grape growing, including market challenges, vineyard development, and the role growers play in connecting consumers to the land. Together, the two discussions highlight how education, collaboration, and sustainable vineyard management will shape the next chapter of Napa Valley agriculture.

• “The future of the wine industry isn’t just about vineyards. It’s about people, education, and creating real pathways into this business." - Enoch Shully 
• “Nothing beats drinking a wine in the vineyard where the grapes were grown. That connection to the land changes everything.” - John McCarthy
  
• “Growers are the bridge between people and the land. When people walk a vineyard, they begin to understand why this place matters.” - Caleb Mosley 
  
• “If we want a stronger industry, we have to start where the talent begins—at education—and give people the tools to succeed.” - Enoch Shully 
• “We farm vineyards for the long game—30 years or more—using modern viticulture to improve quality and consistency.” - John McCarthy 
  
• “If we want the next generation to care about Napa Valley agriculture, we have to invite them into the vineyard and show them what stewardship looks like.” - Caleb Mosley 
  

This episode of Grown in Napa Valley brings together two timely conversations that reflect the cultural, generational, and economic shifts shaping today’s wine industry. In the first segment, host Caleb Mosley speaks with journalist and podcaster Felicity Carter at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium about changing attitudes toward alcohol, health, and moderation. Their discussion explores the rise of wellness culture, generational risk aversion, and how wine is increasingly framed within broader public health narratives. Carter offers perspective on how growers and producers can engage more confidently in these conversations by grounding them in science, history, and wine’s longstanding social role, encouraging pride, visibility, and thoughtful storytelling as tools to navigate uncertainty. 
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The episode then shifts to Carneros for a Glass with a Grower conversation with Philippa Ward and Tim Colla of Saintsbury, recorded amid the energy of the tasting room. Together, they reflect on Saintsbury’s founding vision, Carneros’ role in shaping California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and the winery’s evolution across generations. The conversation highlights the importance of curiosity, collaboration between growers and wineries, and a willingness to innovate while honoring legacy. From vineyard partnerships to new winemaking explorations, the segment underscores how adaptability, stewardship, and shared purpose continue to define resilient brands and communities in Napa Valley.

• “What’s really changed isn’t wine, it’s the culture around alcohol. People don’t talk about wine anymore, they talk about alcohol.” - Felicity Carter 
• “A small amount of alcohol is actually a powerful social technology. It lowers inhibitions, brings people together, and helps communities form.” - Felicity Carter 
• “Saintsbury has always ruled its own way. Even when trends shifted toward bigger, higher-alcohol wines, we stayed true to what we believed in.” - Philippa Ward
• “When we quiet the noise around trends, we can stay focused on making wines that speak honestly to place. They won’t be for everyone—and that’s okay.” - Tim Colla 
  
• “What’s exciting now is seeing longtime supporters alongside an entirely new generation discovering Saintsbury for the first time.” - Philippa Ward
• “Curiosity is how we honor the pioneering spirit Saintsbury was founded on. Exploration is part of our responsibility to this place.” - Tim Colla 
  

​Amidst an uncertain growing season, Richard Mendelson offers a forward-looking view of Napa Valley, emphasizing how the region’s history of resilience positions it well for the challenges ahead. Napa Valley has undergone a remarkable evolution, from the trials of Prohibition and phylloxera to the global triumph of the Judgment of Paris and the establishment of the Ag Preserve, Napa has always found strength through collaboration and a shared commitment to agriculture. While today’s pressures include climate variability, shifting consumer trends, rising costs, and significant vineyard removals, the valley remains steadfast, spurred on by its enduring advantages: exceptional land, multi-generational expertise, a culture of quality, and a community determined to protect what makes the valley special.

​To build on these strengths, Mendelson introduces a four-part framework designed to guide Napa toward a balanced, resilient future. The proposals include identifying and protecting the valley’s most sensitive ecological lands, developing a viticultural suitability system informed by modern science and GIS tools, implementing in-lieu fees to ensure net environmental benefits, and creating a Transfer of Development Rights program that supports both conservation and much-needed affordable housing. These tools, already successful in other regions, offer Napa a practical and proactive path forward, one that encourages smart growth, protects irreplaceable landscapes, and helps the agricultural economy adapt with intention rather than urgency.

​While the path forward requires change, Mendelson highlights the importance of celebrating and preserving Napa’s identity through a vineyard registry that documents vineyard histories, boundaries, and defining traits. This effort, alongside active participation in the county’s General Plan update, will help ensure that policies reflect both ecological priorities and agricultural realities. Napa’s capacity for reinvention has never been accidental, and with thoughtful planning, shared stewardship, and a commitment to balance, the valley is well positioned to thrive in its next chapter, strengthening the land, the community, and the legacy that future generations will inherit.

In Episode 21 of Grown in Napa Valley, the podcast celebrates the Napa Valley Grapegrowers' 50th anniversary by spotlighting two stories of resilience and reinvention. Ashley Anderson of Cain Vineyard shares her personal and professional journey farming organically on Spring Mountain, detailing the challenges of managing steep, terraced vineyards and navigating the aftermath of the devastating 2020 Glass Fire. Her commitment to protecting the land, nurturing the soil, and honoring the vineyard’s legacy shines through as she recounts the thoughtful replanting efforts and her team’s emotional connection to vines that survived against the odds. Ashley also reflects on the joy and collaboration of planning the Organic Winegrowing Conference, emphasizing the value of community in sustainable farming.
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The episode then shifts to V. Sattui Winery, where Tom Davies reflects on the winery’s own 50-year legacy. In a warm, lively conversation, Tom shares stories of his serendipitous entry into the wine world and how he and founder Dario Sattui built a business rooted in Italian hospitality and direct-to-consumer connection. He highlights the recent transformation of their tasting room into the Mercado del Gusto, designed to foster community and accessibility in contrast to the trend of exclusivity in Napa Valley. From launching natural and non-alcoholic wines to keeping tastings affordable and open to all, Tom’s vision is to keep wine—and the joy it brings—at the heart of Napa Valley life. Both segments underscore a shared commitment to stewardship, innovation, and heartfelt connection to land and people.

• "We farmed maybe more by heart than by bottom line… and that’s one of the reasons I’m lucky to be there." - Ashley Anderson 
• “These vines were like, ‘Please, just let me grow.’ And we couldn’t look at that and say, ‘Take them out.’” - Ashley Anderson 
• “Cain is a classic example of Napa Valley resilience… and now reinventing itself based on what we've all been faced with.” - Caleb Mosley 
• “Wine is about connection. It’s about being social. That’s what the Italian culture gives us—and what we want to share here.” - Tom Davies
• ​“We're not getting more exclusive, we’re opening our doors even wider. You can get a three-wine flight for free. That’s unheard of.” - Tom Davies
• ​“What the hell else are you gonna do with your time? A nice glass of wine with some great food and friends, that’s what makes life.” - Caleb Mosley

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley speaks with CAL FIRE’s Matt Ryan and JC Greenberg about the recent Pickett Fire in Calistoga and the evolution of wildfire management in Napa County. They recount how lessons learned from past disasters like the Glass Fire informed a faster, more coordinated response, aided by years of fuel reduction, maintained containment lines, and collaboration with Napa Firewise. New technology—including AI-enabled smoke detection, night-flying helicopters, and mobile retardant bases—has revolutionized early fire response. The chiefs emphasize that resilience depends on community-wide preparedness: defensible space, pre-fire planning, and responsible vineyard burn practices to prevent smoke impacts during harvest.
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The conversation then turns to Bill Hanna, Napa Valley Grapegrowers’ first Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, who reflects on his family’s 50-year partnership with Château Montelena and their deep roots in Napa farming. Hanna shares how trust, quality, and collaboration have sustained this grower–winery relationship across generations. Beyond the vineyard, he highlights decades of advocacy for farmworker housing and community well-being, noting Napa’s leadership as the only county where growers self-assess to fund workforce housing. Looking ahead, Hanna discusses the need for balance—between groundwater use, vineyard density, pricing, and long-term environmental stewardship—underscoring education and cooperation as the keys to Napa Valley’s enduring agricultural legacy.

• “We pulled out the Glass Fire playbook and threw everything at it — air tankers, helicopters, dozers — everything we’d learned over the past five years came together.” - Chief Matt Ryan
• “The work we did before the Pickett Fire — those containment lines, those partnerships — that’s what saved us. The real fight starts long before the flames.” - Chief Matt Ryan
  
• “The terrain was steep, rugged, unforgiving. Our crews hiked miles just to reach the fire’s edge. Every firefighter out there knew exactly what was at stake.” - Deputy Chief JC Greenberg
  
• “Defensible space doesn’t just protect your home — it protects your neighbors, your community, and the valley we all love.” - Deputy Chief JC Greenberg
  
• “What started as a handshake between my dad and Jim Barrett at Château Montelena turned into a 50-year partnership — and three generations of trust.” - Bill Hanna 
  
• “Our biggest challenge isn’t just drought or markets — it’s remembering that sustainability means balance: between the land, the water, and each other.” - Bill Hanna 
  

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley sits down with two local leaders to explore how deep-rooted community values and agricultural resilience shape Napa Valley. First, Terence Mulligan, President and CEO of the Napa Valley Community Foundation, discusses how the foundation serves as a platform for strategic philanthropy, especially in times of crisis. He highlights initiatives like the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund and the One Napa Valley Initiative, which have helped thousands of residents—particularly undocumented families—through disaster recovery and access to citizenship. Mulligan emphasizes the importance of community trust, the power of pooling resources, and the unique generosity of Napa Valley donors in supporting long-term solutions.
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The second half features Kendall Hoxsey-Onysko, co-chair of Harvest STOMP, President of Yount Mill Vineyards, and a fifth-generation grape grower. She reflects on her family’s multigenerational commitment to viticulture, organic farming, and business innovation. Kendall shares her journey from compliance work to managing vineyard sales and growing the family business, while also serving on influential industry boards. She speaks candidly about balancing motherhood, leadership, and legacy, and underscores the importance of Harvest STOMP as a fundraiser rooted in community care. Her message is clear: to preserve Napa Valley's future, growers must lead with collaboration, gratitude, and a deep respect for the land and the people who tend it.

• "You shouldn’t need to be Bill Gates to make a strategic difference in your community." - Terence Mulligan 
• "Napa shows up—neighbors help neighbors, people turn up for each other, and that’s what makes this place magic." - Terence Mulligan 
• "We’re not just growing grapes—we’re growing a legacy, and it’s our job to steward it forward." - Kendall Hoxsey-Onysko
• "Harvest STOMP isn’t just a fundraiser—it’s a moment to remember who we are and why we’re all in this together." - Kendall Hoxsey-Onysko
  
• "Napa Valley is a team sport—from farmworkers to winemakers, we’ve built something remarkable here together." - Caleb Mosley 
  
• "We’re not just preserving a wine region—we’re protecting a way of life that generations have built and the next deserve to inherit." - Caleb Mosley