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 Mosely 
• “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 
  

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, NVG tackles the economic headwinds facing the wine industry through an in-depth conversation with wine economist Dr. Chris Bitter of Terrain. Bitter breaks down the latest insights from Winescape, Terrain’s quarterly market report, revealing a shift in U.S. alcohol consumption trends. He explains how demographic changes, evolving health attitudes, and a rise in cannabis and GLP-1 drug usage are contributing to a measurable decline in per capita alcohol use—particularly among younger consumers. While all beverage categories are impacted, Bitter notes that wine is facing steeper challenges, with premium pricing and oversupply adding to the pressure. Still, he emphasizes Napa Valley’s long-term strength, citing its reputation for quality as a key advantage in weathering this downturn.
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Later in the episode, Caleb shares a glass of 2016 Heimark Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with veteran vineyard manager Mike Wolf, in a conversation that spans mentorship, humility, and the philosophy of farming. From early lessons learned under the guidance of instinctive farmers in Mendocino to decades spent managing top-tier vineyards in Napa, Wolf reflects on the value of hands-on experience and the importance of staying true to the land. He speaks candidly about the tension between aesthetics and economics, and the quiet pride that comes from getting the work done right—often before anyone notices. Through stories of resilience, collaboration, and a commitment to the next generation of farmworkers, Wolf embodies the spirit of Napa Valley viticulture: rooted in history, shaped by community, and always looking ahead.

• "After decades of growth, we’re now seeing a decline in alcohol consumption—and wine is feeling it more than the rest." - Dr, Chris Bitter 
  
• "Wine isn’t just a beverage—it’s a cultural product. But right now, we’re being challenged to prove that value all over again." - Dr. Chris Bitter
  
• "I’ve never owned a commercial grapevine in my life—but I’ve cared for some of the valley’s most iconic vineyards like they were my own." - Mike Wolf
  
• "If I’m true to the vineyard, then I can sleep at night. That’s how I’ve always measured whether I’m doing the job right." - Mike Wolf 
  
• "You’re not just hopping onto a vintage—you’re stepping into a legacy. This isn’t a straight line, it’s a slinky through time." - Caleb Mosley 
• "You're not just farming grapes—you're stewarding a story that started long before you and will continue long after." - Caleb Mosley 
  

In this episode of Trellis Talks, Caleb Mosley sits down with Dr. James Stamp, founder of Stamp Associates Viticulture and a leading expert on grapevine nursery quality. They discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in grapevine plant material, including the impacts of nursery consolidation, vineyard fallowing, and the persistent threat of red blotch disease. Dr. Stamp emphasizes the critical importance of starting with clean, high-quality plant material and the need for improved nursery practices, including the potential for greenhouse-grown propagation and new technologies to enhance plant health and vineyard success.
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The conversation also touches on the decline of two major nurseries, Duarte and Wonderful, and what that means for future vine availability. Dr. Stamp shares insights on alternatives like green grafting, Uber vines, and the importance of collaboration among growers to address vineyard replanting and virus management. Despite current challenges, both Stamp and Mosley express optimism that this transitional period presents an opportunity to elevate the standards and innovation within the grapevine nursery sector, ultimately strengthening the foundation of Napa Valley vineyards.

In this special episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley visits Ridge Monte Bello to sit down with two influential voices in California wine: Paul Draper and David Gates. Draper reflects on the collaborative tasting culture and experimental spirit that defined his winemaking career, including Napa’s role in his legendary 1971 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet. Gates shares insights on mountain viticulture, Napa's evolution in the 1980s, and the long-term conservation efforts that helped preserve agriculture on Monte Bello Ridge. Together, their stories highlight the enduring power of mentorship, land stewardship, and wines of place. ​

• “What matters most is the wine in the bottle, and that comes from the vineyard, the site, and how you handle it. That’s what Ridge has always stood for.” - Paul Draper 
• “We didn’t know the rules—we were just trying to make the best wine we could, from the best site we could find. And Napa taught us that.” - Paul Draper 
• “I carry Napa with me everywhere, even up here on the mountain. It's not just where I started—it's part of how I see the land.” - Caleb Mosley 
• “What I learned from both of you—and what I hope we’re passing on—is that stewardship isn’t just about farming. It’s about people, mentorship, and memory.” - Caleb Mosley 
• “When you grow grapes on a mountain like this, it humbles you. The vines will tell you what they want—you just have to listen.” - David Gates 
• “We protected this land not just to make wine, but so future generations could feel what we feel standing here.” - David gates 

In this episode of Trellis Talks, host Caleb Mosley reconnects with phenolics researcher James Campbell, now based in Napa Valley and leading a lab focused on vineyard and wine phenolic analysis. Their conversation explores the science behind phenolic development in wine grapes, from early-stage flavonol formation to anthocyanin synthesis and degradation. James emphasizes the importance of early-season practices—like precise leafing and light management—and shares findings from multi-year studies on the effects of heat and irrigation on phenolic preservation. One key insight is that applying moderate irrigation during mid-ripening heat waves can mitigate anthocyanin loss, but late-season interventions are often too late to make a difference.
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The discussion also touches on the nuanced interplay of variety, environment, and stress, noting that different grape cultivars respond uniquely to heat. James shares that Cabernet Sauvignon shows higher resilience compared to varieties like Sangiovese. The episode concludes with a look into James’s new venture, Integrated Phenolics, which offers rapid, in-depth phenolic assays for growers and winemakers. His goal is to equip producers with actionable data to make informed decisions during maceration and fermentation, ultimately supporting the continued excellence of Napa Valley wines in a changing climate.