​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 sits down with two influential women in the Napa Valley wine industry, both leading their own successful businesses.

First, Dr. Kris Lowe, owner of Vine Balance Consulting and a leader in vineyard research funding, discusses the vital role of research in combating vineyard diseases like Pierce’s disease and red blotch. She also explains the upcoming PDGWIS Board funding referendum and why grower participation is essential for Napa Valley’s future.

Next, Caleb chats with Brittany Pederson, founder of Vintuition, a viticulture consulting company. Brittany shares her career journey, insights into vineyard management, and the challenges and opportunities of being a woman in the wine industry. As they chat, they enjoy a glass of 2015 Phifer Pavitt Cabernet Sauvignon Date Night.

Join us for an engaging conversation filled with expertise, personal stories, and a shared passion for Napa Valley’s grape-growing community.

RESOURCES:
California Department of Food and Agriculture 
National Academies 
NVG ROOTSTOCK: New Research and Trends with Marc Fuchs 

​Welcome to Trellis Talks, a new mini-series from Grown in Napa Valley, where we dive into the technical side of vineyard management in bite-sized episodes. In this installment, host Caleb Mosley sits down with Thibaut Scholasch of Fruition Sciences to explore the science of vineyard water management. From irrigation timing to the long-term impact of early-season decisions, they discuss how to optimize vine resilience and ripening in an unpredictable climate. Whether you're a grower, winemaker, or vineyard enthusiast, this quick but insightful conversation will help you rethink how water shapes the future of Napa Valley wines.

​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.

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, Executive Director and host Caleb Mosley celebrates the Napa Valley Grapegrowers' 50th anniversary with two in-depth conversations highlighting the region's rich history, agricultural legacy, and future challenges.
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The episode begins with Richard Mendelson, a renowned wine lawyer, author, and historian. Richard discusses the pivotal moments that shaped Napa Valley, from the 19th-century wine pioneers to the post-Prohibition revival and the creation of the Agricultural Preserve in 1968. He emphasizes the critical role of human influence in terroir, the importance of resilience in the face of climate change, and the need to preserve Napa’s agricultural heritage. 

The conversation continues with Ren Harris, one of the founding members of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and a celebrated vintner. Ren reflects on his early days in Napa, the region’s shift from prunes to vineyards, and his instrumental role in creating the Napa Valley Grapegrowers organization. He shares stories about his work advocating for farmworker rights, creating health insurance plans for vineyard workers, and establishing marketing orders and appellation rules that shaped Napa’s identity. Ren also discusses the evolution of vineyard practices, his family’s Paradigm Winery, and the significance of preserving Napa’s community spirit and agricultural lands amid climate and economic changes.

This episode is brought to you by Pulido Walker Estate Vineyards. 

"The secret to Napa Valley's success is people, not just terroir. Terroir includes the natural elements, but it also includes the human element — the people who plant the vineyards, work the fields, make the wine. Without that, it's not a complete picture." – Richard Mendelson

"The Agricultural Preserve was a bet on Napa’s future before anyone knew what was coming. It was about preserving the land for agriculture at a time when many didn’t believe in the potential of wine here. It remains the most important decision in Napa's history." – Richard Mendelson

"Social justice is now a part of terroir. When I traveled the world to protect the Napa Valley name, people asked me how we treat our farmworkers. It’s become clear that how we care for our community is just as important as the land itself in defining our identity." – Richard Mendelson
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"You make your wine in the vineyard. I always tell Heidi Barrett, 'We're bringing you really good grapes — just don’t screw it up!' It’s all about even ripening and meticulous farming, and you can’t achieve that by cutting corners." – Ren Harris

"Two dirt farmers from Napa got the federal government to change appellation laws for the entire country. We used the tools we had — connections, common sense, and persistence — to ensure that if it says Napa Valley on a bottle, it means something." – Ren Harris

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, Executive Director and host Caleb Mosley engages in two thought-provoking conversations that explore the present and future of Napa Valley's wine industry.

Kicking off with Jon Moramarco, managing partner of BW166 and a renowned expert in beverage alcohol trends. Jon shares his journey in the wine industry, insights into seismic shifts in global wine markets, and the challenges facing Napa Valley. Jon highlights the importance of innovation, smarter business practices, and the potential for Napa to explore new opportunities to remain a leader in the global wine industry.
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The episode continues with Paul Goldberg, 2024 Grower of the Year and vineyard manager at Bettinelli Vineyards. In this candid conversation, Paul reflects on his Napa upbringing, his journey into viticulture, and the evolution of vineyard practices over the past 50 years. Paul discusses the meticulous farming techniques Bettinelli employs to enhance phenolic development, the importance of adapting to changing market demands, and the opportunities to champion diverse grape varietals. He also shares the story of Sleeping Lady Vineyard and the 2019 Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon he brought.

"Napa is an anomaly. The rest of the country doesn’t live like we do here, and understanding that reality is key to shaping the future of the wine industry." - ​Jon Moramarco

"What was three or four passes through a vineyard in the 1970s has now grown into 10, 11, sometimes 12 passes—each one critical to achieving balance and quality." - Paul Goldberg

"The global wine market has been oversupplied for 20 years. For Napa to thrive, it’s about being smarter, innovating, and working harder to stand out." - Jon Moramarco

"When you actually walk a row with someone and explain how a vineyard is planted, trellised, and managed, it creates a level of appreciation that’s mind-blowing." - Paul Goldberg

"If I can enjoy life with my wine every day, and it shortens my life by two months, I’d say that’s worth it." - Jon Moramarco

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley takes listeners on a journey through two critical aspects of Napa Valley’s wine industry: climate change and grower relations. First, Caleb sits down with Andrew Isaacs, a professor at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and climate expert, to discuss the evolving challenges that climate change presents for grape growers. They explore how climate impacts viticulture, and the importance of both mitigation and adaptation strategies in the vineyard. Andrew partnered with NVG on a six-part Climate Science video series to provide on-demand education for the industry.
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Then, for our Glass with a Grower segment, Caleb sat down with Jan Kappmeyer, a seasoned grower relations expert with 15 years of experience at Constellation Brands. Jan shares her career journey and the unique challenges she faced while navigating the dynamic relationships between growers and wineries. She offers valuable advice on how growers can approach contracts, manage market downturns, and maintain strong relationships with winemakers. Jan also introduces a special Viognier that she and her husband produce, sharing the story behind the vineyard and the wine itself. 

"Climate is just long-term weather. So day to day, we call it weather, but decade to decade, we call that same thing climate. And that’s what’s changing. For farmers, it’s right in front of our faces." - Andrew Isaacs

"Reducing emissions on a vineyard isn’t just about what happens within the four corners of your property—it’s a holistic lifestyle shift. It’s not just fewer tractor passes; it’s rethinking everything we do." - Andrew Isaacs

“Every single time there’s a downturn in a particular industry, the climate footprint of that industry goes down too. The reason is people cut costs—anything discretionary ends up on the cutting room floor.” - Andrew Isaacs

"In grower relations, you have to be honest and share your opinions—whether it's for one side or the other. That transparency and curiosity are what makes it work." - Jan Kappmeyer

"It’s like having a foot in two different canoes—you’re balancing the needs of growers and winemakers. Sometimes it goes one way, sometimes the other, but it’s all about keeping those relationships strong." - Jan Kappmeyer

​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

In this special episode we take you out into the field to explore two impactful programs: the Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentorship Program and NVG’s Paso Adelante committee.

First, we attend the Fields of Opportunity graduation, where 30 students completed an intensive 8-week summer mentorship. We heard firsthand from  students, their mentors, and special guests. Then, Cris Romero, a founding member of Paso Adelante, shares how this new initiative is paving the way for young professionals in viticulture and winemaking.

Tune in to discover how these programs are shaping the future of our wine industry and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders right here in Napa Valley.

"Our hope was that we could connect local high school students with a career opportunity in their backyard, in the wine industry. It began as a two-week program and has evolved into a full summer mentorship that really has fostered or helped us foster the next generation of industry leaders." - Sonya DeLuca

"I absolutely see the Paso Adelante committee or people impacting the industry. It’s really a space for the next generation of decision makers to come together and meet and kind of form that network... a passing of the baton, a bridging of the gap between this young generation and the older one that's already established." - Cris Romero

"Because as we know in the Valley, we're all connected. Whether it is from picking the grapes, to processing them, to bottling it, to selling it, we're all one. You're part of something bigger here." - ​Myra Ayala

In this episode, Sander Scheer chats with us about the current state of the growing season and the expectations for the upcoming 2024 harvest. Sander shares an insider's look into vineyard operations, giving us a glimpse into the innovative techniques driving success at FARM Napa Valley.

In "Glass with a Grower," Ashton Leutner stops by with a bottle of 2018 Continuum and shares insights on the acclaimed vintage, as well as her journey in the wine industry and experiences at Continuum Estate leading up to this year's harvest.

This episode is partially funded by the USDA Risk Management Agency grant. We thank them for their continued support of our educational program and the launch of this very podcast. Please complete this two-question survey so that we can continue to receive grant funding for our educational programs.

"We waged a bit of a war in terms of mildew early on... followed up by fine-tuning with hand crews so that our sprays have an even better opportunity to target the fruit. It was a bit of a fight."

"This year, we’re blessed with big, robust canopies. It’s important to be mindful of when you start with irrigation because the switch flips every year—you’ve got this big canopy to maintain." - Sander Sheer

"The machines being produced today are remarkable... We can get a lot of tons off quickly when we need to. It’s incredible how clean it can pick if you spend the time to dial it in just right." - Sander Sheer

I was walking through one of our Cabernet blocks, and you could smell the California Bay; it blew my mind finding those aromatics in the wine later." - Ashton Leutner

“We’re just becoming more comfortable with harvesting on the earlier side, embracing more vine vigor, which may lead to earlier phenolic ripeness and less stress tannin.”​ ​- Ashton Leutner