This episode of Grown in Napa Valley highlights both the business realities and opportunities facing Napa Valley grape growers. In the first segment, Caleb Mosley speaks with Michael Cuffe of Napa Valley Creative Agency about a marketing audit program offered through NVG and funded by the Western Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) program. Cuffe discusses how many growers, particularly those who have relied on long-term contracts for decades, now find themselves needing to market their vineyards for the first time. He emphasizes the importance of basic branding tools such as websites, professional photography, storytelling, and social media presence, while encouraging growers to highlight the prestigious wineries and wines their vineyards have supplied over the years. Despite current industry challenges, Cuffe remains optimistic about Napa Valley's future and believes growers who invest in telling their story will be better positioned for long-term success. 
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In the second segment, Remi Cohen, President and CEO of Domaine Carneros, joins Caleb for Glass with a Grower and shares her journey from vineyard-focused viticulturist to winery executive. Cohen reflects on the importance of connecting vineyard practices to consumer storytelling, noting that every grower plays a critical role in promoting Napa Valley wine. The conversation explores Domaine Carneros' history, sparkling wine production, sustainability initiatives, and the challenges of the 2026 growing season, including an unusually early start followed by erratic weather. While acknowledging ongoing market pressures, Cohen encourages growers to remain positive, continue sharing the value of Napa Valley agriculture, and focus on innovation, hospitality, and long-term resilience as the industry adapts to changing conditions.

• "If you're a grape grower, you should have a website. Do you need an Instagram page? Not really. But should you have a website that's just a well-produced profile piece of your property? Absolutely." - Michael Cuffe 
• "I really, really want growers to start lifting and talking more about the really amazing things they're doing in their vineyards." - Caleb Mosley 
  
• "If you're growing grapes in Napa Valley, you are a wine grower. You need to think all the way through to that end product." - Remi Cohen 
  
• "Wine's not cool right now. But I do believe wine is going to be cool again. That's the way things work. It flips back and forth." - Michael Cuffe 
  
• "It's an all hands-on deck moment. We all as an industry need to be selling what we do, the magic of our industry, the magic of Napa Valley." - Caleb Mosley 
  
• "The strong producers, the smart producers are going to be thriving after this turn. Think smart, work smart, be strategic, and be as positive as you can." - Remi Cohen 
  

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. 

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, guest host Jonathan Cristaldi presents highlights from the 2025 Napa Valley Harvest Press Conference, presented by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and Napa Valley Vintners,  joined by growers and winemakers Ashton Leutner, Mayan Koschitzky, Nate Weis, and Megan Gunderson. They unpack a cooler, steady 2025 growing season shaped by early rains, slow canopy development, minimal heat spikes, and strong fruit set. With phenolic ripeness outpacing sugar accumulation, the panel notes vibrant color, natural acidity, and balanced alcohol across the vintage.

They discuss the year’s key challenges — elevated mildew pressure and a stop-and-start harvest caused by intermittent rain — and share how tight spray intervals, spore-trap monitoring, and thoughtful canopy work helped maintain fruit quality. Market shifts also left some fruit unharvested, creating an opening for growers to redevelop vineyards, adjust crop loads, and focus on long-term soil and plant health.
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The conversation turns to the Pickett Fire, which produced highly localized smoke impacts. Thanks to improved air-quality tools and advanced ETS smoke-taint testing, growers were able to assess risk with far more precision than in past fire years. Early takeaways from the panel point to a distinctive, expressive 2025 vintage — wines with strong color, refined tannins, and clear AVA character — underscoring a maturing Napa Valley rooted in adaptation, stewardship, and continuous learning.

• “Patience was rewarded this year. Moderate alcohols, more acidity… it’s going to be a classic Napa style we haven’t seen in a while.” - Nate Weis
  
• “Napa is maturing. We’re finally trusting our sites and our vintages — showcasing why each year is different instead of trying to make everything the same.” - Mayan Koschitzky 
  
• “This was an ideal year for extended maceration. With lower seed tannin, we could sit on the skins longer without getting bitterness — the wines are beautiful.” - Ashton Leutner
  
• “In a cooler vintage, the differences between our growing regions are much more apparent — 2025 has real distinction across the valley.” - Megan Gunderson 
  
• “I hope future listeners see this as a snapshot — a time capsule of how the 2025 growing season truly unfolded.” - Jonathan Cristaldi
  

​In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley dives deep into the roots of sustainability and stewardship, chatting with two visionary leaders who have helped shape Napa Valley’s farming future. 

Our first guest is Ted Hall of Long Meadow Ranch, whose passion for organic farming runs deep. He brings us stories from his early days in agriculture and explains how thoughtful practices and long-term thinking can transform not just vineyards, but entire ecosystems. 
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Then, we share a glass with Michael Silacci of Opus One, whose deep curiosity and creative spirit shine through in every vintage. Michael walks us through the challenges of the 2022 harvest, the importance of storytelling in wine, and how caring for the land—from vineyard rows to surrounding forests—can shape a more resilient future for Napa Valley. 

​In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley steps out into the vineyards to explore the art and science of pruning. He speaks with esteemed vineyard professional Anulfo Solorio from Silverado Farming Company about the upcoming Napa County Pruning Contest, highlighting the importance of education and precision in vineyard management. Solorio shares his deep appreciation for pruning as a craft, emphasizing how it shapes the future of the vine and contributes to overall vineyard health. 

Later, Mosley meets with international pruning expert Jacopo Miolo​ from Simonit&Sirch, who provides insight into how viticultural practices vary worldwide and the importance of adapting techniques to local terroirs. Their discussion underscores the need to move beyond rigid pruning formulas and instead cultivate an approach that respects the vineyard’s unique climate, soil, and history. 

The episode concludes with a sit-down conversation with John Truchard, who shares his journey from grape growing to winemaking and his impact on Napa’s music scene. Truchard discusses the success of JAM Cellars, the evolution of vineyard leasing, and the business strategies behind building a scalable and accessible wine brand. While we chat, we enjoy a glass of 2024 John Anthony Church Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc.

At Napa Valley Grapegrowers, understanding weather trends is key to supporting sustainable vineyard practices. Recently, we spoke with Erik Moldstad from Precision Forecasting to discuss the current dry and sunny conditions affecting our region.

A Dry Winter Explained
​This season, Napa Valley has experienced drier-than-average weather following a wet early winter. Erik attributes this to a La Niña pattern combined with warmer-than-usual ocean temperatures across the Pacific.

“These warmer ocean temperatures create high-pressure systems along the coast, blocking rain and resulting in dry, sunny weather,” Erik explained. Napa often falls between the extremes of wetter weather in the Pacific Northwest and drier conditions in Southern California during La Niña years. Unfortunately, the forecast for the second half of winter points to less frequent and lighter rain than usual.

Hopes for Rain?
When asked about the likelihood of an atmospheric river breaking through, Erik shared that while some rain is possible, high-pressure systems are expected to dominate. Still, Napa’s early-season rains have filled reservoirs and replenished soil moisture, putting the region in a better position despite the dry outlook.

Looking Ahead
While the forecast suggests continued dryness, Napa Valley is well-prepared thanks to early winter rains. Erik encourages growers to enjoy the mild weather while staying informed. His forecasts, available through Precision Forecasting, provide valuable insights to help vineyard managers adapt to changing conditions.

​Harvest season is winding down in Napa Valley, and it's time to look ahead! In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, our host, Caleb Mosley, Executive Director of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, sits down with Tom Johnson from Kamprath Seed to explore how growers are preparing for next season with cover crops and soil health.
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Next, in our "Glass with a Grower" segment, we share a bottle of 2022 Matthiasson Refosco with the legendary Steve Matthiasson. Listen in as Steve reveals his unique approach to viticulture and how this vintage embodies the diverse terroir of Napa. It's an episode full of insights, tips, and of course, a little wine talk—cheers!

"Cover crops can do so much more than just prevent erosion; they bring life back into the soil, retain moisture, and even attract beneficial insects. It’s about creating a system that supports the vineyard in ways that go beyond what we see on the surface." - Tom Johnson

"Our job as viticulturalists is to support them and give them the tools and set them up for success...these vines are on our team...it’s a team effort." - Steve Matthiasson

"There isn’t a single example of a sustainability practice that doesn’t also enhance wine quality...cover cropping is a tool that builds wine quality." - Steve Matthiasson

"We used to grow a lot more different varieties of grapes in Napa...and I think for the long-term health of us as a wine region, where a wine lover can spend their life exploring deeper and deeper, we need to have more diversity." ​- Steve Matthiasson

By: Melissa Webb, Vice President, Relation - Agro Crop Insurance Agency

It’s my duty and pleasure to keep the NVG members informed on important updates that could impact your bottom line. The federal crop insurance program is a key risk management tool we recommend you look into for your vineyard operation. These programs are designed to protect you from weather events and perils that could impact your yield through the growing season, at a subsidized cost to you.

Upcoming Policy Deadlines
Grapevine Insurance – November 1st
Now available in 35 counties, this new program offers vineyard growers protection against vine loss due to fire, flood, freeze, failure of irrigation water supply due to drought, and hail. This is a separate coverage from the grape crop insurance policy and is specifically for vine mortality. The deadline to insure your vineyard for 2025 is November 1st, 2024 and coverage begins December 1st, 2024.

Grape Insurance – January 31st
This program provides coverage for yield losses caused by all naturally occurring perils (adverse weather, fire and smoke, failure of irrigation due to natural peril, etc.) The policy utilizes your individual growing records to establish the coverage. The deadline to insure your grapes is January 31st and coverage begins February 1st.

• NEW for 2025 – Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) - County based coverage option allowing you toinsure up to 95% of your crop value using county-based losses.
• NEW for 2025 – Fire Insurance Protection – Smoke Index (FIP-SI) – County based smoke exposurecoverage option allowing you to add additional smoke coverage to your underlying policy usingcounty-based NOAA air quality data to determine a loss.

Whole Farm Revenue Protection – February 28th
This highly subsidized federal policy offers you revenue protection for farm revenue declines including market price decline. Coverage is broken out by farming entity, not by specific crops, and covers you for losses in revenue due to naturally occurring events that impact your yield and/or market price for your commodities. This policy utilizes your individual tax records (Schedule F), yield data, and potential contract prices to establish the revenue to be insured. The deadline to insure your farming revenue is February 28th.

Please reach out to Melissa Webb if you have any questions.

​Last week, we had the privilege of joining the team at Inglenook in Rutherford for a behind-the-scenes look at the harvest season.

Over ten hospitality professionals gathered to hear from Enrique Herro, Director of Vineyards, about the critical role of harvest in winemaking. We learned about the history of Inglenook, a stunning 1,700-acre estate nestled in the heart of Rutherford.
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​Our tour took us to a sun-drenched vineyard block where skilled crews were expertly harvesting Cabernet Sauvignon. Sr. Associate Winemaker, Jonathan Tyer, shared his insights on the key qualities he seeks in grapes before giving the green light to pick. He emphasized that exceptional wines begin in the vineyard and that the quality of the grapes is paramount to producing estate wines.

We concluded our visit with a tour of the new winery caves, featuring state-of-the-art tanks with automated pump-overs.
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Thank you to everyone who participated in our Seasonal Vineyard Walk and a special thanks to Inglenook for hosting us.

As the 2024 harvest progresses, Napa Valley is witnessing a season marked by an early start, impressive grape quality, optimal weather conditions, and high labor availability. Despite these positives, growers are navigating significant challenges due to shifting market dynamics and economic pressures.

Exceptional Wine Quality 
Across Napa Valley, grape quality is turning out to be one of the highlights of the 2024 harvest. Growers are reporting excellent phenolic ripeness and balanced sugar levels, leading to ideal chemistry heading into the winery. The mild summer, punctuated by a brief but impactful Labor Day heat wave, accelerated the accumulation of sugars while allowing acids to develop steadily. As Matt Stornetta of Stornetta Made Farming explains, “the cooler weather is already helping the balance of sugars and acids.”

The result is fruit that promises to produce complex, flavorful wines, which has already been reported as early fermentations yield their results. Many growers are optimistic that this year’s vintage will deliver standout wines, characterized by full flavor profiles and well-balanced structure. 

Weather Conditions Support Healthy Vineyard Development
Weather has been a key factor in this year’s successful harvest. Unlike recent years marred by extreme heat or wildfires, 2024 has provided growers with near-ideal conditions for grape maturation. According to Chris D'Alo of Nord Vineyard Services, this season’s climate reminds him of 2018, another highly favorable vintage.  Steady winter rainfall provided deep soil moisture and set the stage for strong canopies, resulting in yields well balanced with vegetative growth.  July heat arrived while canopies still had access to adequate soil moisture, with most growers noting the cessation of shoot growth, along with a celebrated early end of their powdery mildew control programs.

The persistent (and often reliable) heat over Labor Day did pose challenges for some vineyards, particularly in areas with shallower soil or with limited irrigation capacity. However, these effects have been isolated, and the majority of vineyards have bounced back, with D'Alo remaining optimistic: “The fruit flavor is excellent, and I do believe this vintage will produce some amazing wines.”

Increased Labor Availability Eases Harvest Challenges
A positive development this harvest season has been the increased availability of farmworkers, a significant change from the shortages experienced in recent years. Thanks to cooler weather, the pace of harvest has been moderate and steady, contributing to a smooth and efficient harvest. D'Alo notes that there are many eager workers available, which may shift needs away from H2-A supplemental crews come the 2025 harvest season. Navigating the complexities of an early harvest without the additional strain of labor shortages has allowed growers to meet the harvest requests of their winery partners, adding to the positive outlook for wine quality in 2024.  

Market Struggles Pose Challenges for Growers
While the quality of the 2024 harvest is undeniable, the economic landscape remains challenging for many. The spot market for grapes has been difficult, with prices often failing to meet production costs. Stornetta notes that many conversations with winery partners have not resulted in deals, as unsold fruit remains an issue.

As wineries pull back on production due to the evolving state of wine sales , the supply of grapes  has outpaced demand, causing strain for growers statewide. D'Alo echoes this concern, noting that while this vintage will likely produce exceptional wines, fewer cases will be produced due to the current market conditions.

Looking Ahead: Quality Amidst Market Challenges
The 2024 harvest presents a complex picture: while the weather has provided nearly perfect conditions for grape development, and labor availability is at an all-time high, the economic struggles facing the industry cannot be ignored. Despite these market challenges, the promise of exceptional wines coupled with Napa Valley’s hard-earned pedigree of distinct wines recognized on the global stage provide an outlook marked by resilience and the ability to adapt. Napa Valley’s growers remain committed to producing world-class wines, and this year’s fruit holds the potential to create wines that will stand out in any collection.