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 
  

Caleb opens the 2026 season of Grown in Napa Valley from Louisville, Kentucky, where he sits down with vintner-turned-whiskey-maker Mark Carter. Their conversation traces Carter’s journey from Eureka hospitality to Napa winemaking and ultimately to Kentucky bourbon, highlighting the shared craftsmanship between wine and spirits, barrels, blending, farming roots, and the growing consumer interest in how raw materials are cultivated. Carter reflects on decades of working with iconic Napa vineyards and the parallels he now sees in the rising “grain-to-glass” movement, as distillers embrace terroir and agricultural storytelling much like grape growers do. Their tasting together underscores how both wines and whiskies reflect the land, the season, and the maker’s hand. 
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The episode then returns to Napa for Glass with a Grower featuring winemaker and NVG Board Member Dan Petroski. Dan speaks to his passion for Mediterranean-style white wines, the evolving needs of Napa’s wine market, and the importance of growers becoming more visible partners in consumer storytelling. He discusses the challenges of the 2025 season, the opportunities ahead in 2026, the need for deeper collaboration between growers and wineries, and the promise of AB 720 in connecting visitors directly with vineyards. Looking forward, Dan stresses community resilience, thoughtful adaptation, and a renewed focus on helping growers navigate shifting markets while continuing to champion the quality and diversity of Napa Valley agriculture. 

• “About four bottles in at four o’clock, he said, ‘You ever think about making wine?’… and I said, ‘Yeah, I only got one problem—I don’t have any grapes.’” - Mark Carter 
• “You can't control that kind of serendipity… having Fred Schrader walk into your restaurant and getting a contract passed over to you. Unbelievable.” - Caleb Mosley 
  
• “We have to refocus our message… there are only a few places in the world that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Napa Valley.” - Dan Petroski
  
• “We’re going to make every batch different… just like in Napa with wines, every vintage is different.” - Mark Carter 
• “I don’t profess to be an expert in grape growing—I just want to understand the feeling… to be there at every inflection point as the vine develops.” - Dan Petroski
  
• “Every year of my farming career, I can almost remember month-to-month what was going on… it keeps you in touch. It keeps it real.” - Caleb Mosley
  

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, 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 Trellis Talks, Caleb Mosley sits down with soil scientists Dr. Paul Anamosa and Dr. Nick Madden to explore their 2023 paper, “The Other White Rock in Coombsville Vineyards.” The conversation unpacks the geological mystery and viticultural significance of diatomaceous earth found in the Coombsville AVA—a lightweight, silica-rich sediment formed from freshwater algae in an ancient caldera lake. Anamosa and Madden discuss how these unique soils, often mistaken for volcanic ash or bentonite, impact vine growth, emphasizing their low pH, high aluminum toxicity, and unusual water retention characteristics. They explain how proper soil analysis and management—particularly the use of gypsum and lime—are crucial for successful vine development in these challenging conditions.
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The episode also delves into the broader story behind their collaboration, from international development work to building one of Napa’s most extensive soil pit databases. As Paul transitions into retirement, he reflects on the importance of mentorship and passing on deep technical knowledge to the next generation of consultants like Nick and their colleague Scott Nippelmeyer. Their combined efforts promise a new era of viticulture grounded in science, innovation, and deep respect for Napa Valley’s complex terroir.

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 first speaks with Julien Dumercq of IVES (International Viticulture and Enology Society), who highlights the organization’s mission to provide open-access research in viticulture and enology. Julien explains how IVES grew from a small initiative in Bordeaux into a global network of 35 universities and research institutes, supported by members and partners including several Napa Valley wineries. Their peer-reviewed journals, multilingual technical reviews, and international conferences foster collaboration and innovation, ensuring that research is widely available and free from financial barriers. Julien emphasizes the importance of building community across continents, sharing best practices, and maintaining scientific integrity while adapting to new technologies like AI.
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The conversation then turns to the U.S. with Randy Heinzen of Vineyard Professional Services and Donnell Brown of the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA). Randy shares his journey from Napa to Paso Robles and his experiences farming across diverse sites, underscoring the value of research and cost-based vineyard management. Donnell explains NGRA’s national role in setting research priorities for all grape sectors—wine, juice, table, and raisins—and in advocating for projects with USDA and funding agencies. Together, they stress the importance of collaboration, sustained investment in research, and engaging the next generation of leaders to address challenges such as climate change, pests, and shifting market dynamics. The episode highlights Napa Valley’s role in both global and national research efforts, bridging science and practice to support resilient grape growing.

• “Research should be available for everybody in the world… it’s about freedom.” - Julien Dumercq
• “What we say is correct now becomes the origin of innovation and change—it’s how science shapes the vineyard.” - Julien Dumercq
• “At the end of the day, farmers are really good at solving problems. That resilience is what keeps us going.” - Randy Heinzen
• “You farm to the site—whether it’s two tons on a hillside or seven tons in sandy soils, the goal is making it work.” - Randy Heinzen
• “We’re building a big tent of researchers across the country to solve problems that no single region can face alone.” - Donnell Brown
• “We’re in a period of unprecedented headwinds—climate change, oversupply, shifting consumption—and the only way forward is working together.”​ - Donnell Brown
  

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