In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley welcomes Galen Becker Drace, Executive Director of the Napa Valley Hospitality Forum, to talk about what really happens on the tasting room floor. Drace discusses the difference between service and hospitality, the most common (and most memorable) questions guests ask, and how growers can help frontline staff speak confidently about soil, farming practices, and vineyard stewardship when it fits the moment. 

He notes that viticulture isn't always the right topic, given how much frontline staff are already reading and juggling with each guest in a short window of time, from wine club details to restaurant recommendations to simply sensing what a guest wants out of the visit. The conversation closes with an invitation for listeners to share the most memorable tasting room questions they've overheard or what they want to know.
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In the episode's Glass with a Grower segment, Caleb sits down with PJ Alviso, Senior Vice President of Portfolio Operations at Duckhorn Vineyards, over a 2023 Napa Valley Merlot. Alviso makes the case for why Merlot deserves more recognition, reflects on Duckhorn's fiftieth anniversary and the legacy of founders Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, and shares how the winery is balancing that history with new technology and innovation on the production side.

• "The whole ethos of the [Napa Valley Hospitality Forum] is very easily distilled into providing resources and community to hospitality professionals." - Galen Becker Drace
• "Hospitality is reading between the lines and getting to know people without actually having asked questions about what they're up to." - Galen Becker Drace
  
• "Merlot pays the mortgage at Duckhorn. This is what we do. It's what we've done."     - PJ Alviso
• "This isn't just a label that exists fifty years later; it's an ethos. We still stick to our guns in our style, and I think that's something to be celebrated." - PJ Alviso

​Napa Valley Grapegrowers is pleased to share that the Napa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to approve a revised fee structure for the county's Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), resulting in a projected 50-60% reduction in fees for agricultural users in fiscal year 2026-27.

The board adopted a revised budget that draws down the GSA's existing fund balance rather than collecting the full program cost through user fees in the current year. Key adjustments include:

• Charges for services were reduced from approximately $2.168 million to $931,000
• The fund balance will be decreased by roughly $750,000 to offset the difference
• Agricultural users can expect their per-acre fees to reflect the 50-60% reduction once final calculations are complete

​County staff will finalize fee amounts after a July 10 feedback deadline, which will ensure growers who are dry farming, have removed vines, or are using surface or recycled water are properly accounted for. A formal resolution with specific fee amounts for FY 2026-27 will come before the board on July 28.

​The original fee postcards sent to agricultural users created a significant financial shock across the community. NVG, along with Napa Valley Vintners, Winegrowers of Napa County, and the Napa County Farm Bureau, submitted joint policy recommendations calling for a revised approach that minimizes the impact while preserving the integrity of the groundwater program. The board's response reflects those shared concerns.

Napa County staff made clear that fees will continue to evolve as the program matures. Growers should be aware that the current reduction is made possible in part by drawing on fund balance reserves, which are not unlimited. The county is committed to identifying savings within the work plan, and officials signaled they are reconsidering spending in areas that have not yielded measurable results.
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Supervisors also expressed strong interest in moving toward metering and monitoring, and noted that long-term fee stability will depend on both reducing groundwater use and increasing storage through tools like floodplain reconnection and infiltration opportunities.

​This outcome is a meaningful win for Napa Valley growers and reflects what is possible when the agricultural community speaks with a unified voice. We are grateful for the collaboration with our industry partners and encouraged by the board's responsiveness during these challenging times in our industry. Their ability to listen and adapt signifies a strong and respectful working relationship for the betterment of our entire county.   

​Water has always been at the heart of sustainable farming in the Napa Valley. As California's groundwater regulations move from planning into implementation, Napa Valley growers are entering a new phase of compliance, and NVG is with you every step of the way.
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Here is what you need to know right now.

In December 2025, the Napa County Board of Supervisors adopted groundwater sustainability fees for the Napa Valley Subbasin. These fees fund the state-mandated Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP), which establishes a 20-year framework for managing the subbasin's water resources responsibly.

Fees apply to parcels located outside the municipal water service areas of Calistoga, St. Helena, Napa, and Yountville. If you are unsure whether your property is affected, use Napa County's Online Public GIS Map to check your parcel. Fees will appear on property tax bills in August 2026.
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Exact fee amounts have not yet been finalized.

​We are pleased to report that NVG's advocacy is making a difference. Working alongside industry partners, NVG brought grower concerns directly to county leadership regarding the initial financial burden of these fees. At the June 16, 2026, Napa County Budget Hearing, the Board of Supervisors heard those concerns and directed staff to explore ways to reduce fees in this first year of implementation. We will continue to keep members informed as this process develops.

Growers who dry farm may qualify for a lower fee rate, applied only to dry-farmed acres. To be eligible, contact the Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (NCGSA) by July 10, 2026:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 707-253-4471

Do not miss this deadline if you believe your operation qualifies.

NCGSA staff are hosting two virtual Q&A sessions to answer grower questions about the fees and the GSP. Both are open to the public.

• Wednesday, June 17, 3:00–4:30 PM (today)
• Wednesday, July 1, 5:30–7:00 PM

Registration is required. We encourage growers and vineyard managers to attend and come with questions.

This is not a new issue for NVG. For several years, we have actively engaged in the GSP process on behalf of Napa Valley growers, working to ensure that the realities of vineyard water use are understood and reflected in county policy.

Our ongoing advocacy includes:

• Representing growers on the GSP Advisory Committee
• Providing public comment and presentations to the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA)
• Regular correspondence with county staff to advance effective water management strategies

​As a direct result of NVG's continued engagement, Napa County has committed to developing incentive programs for growers who have already implemented effective water conservation practices and are willing to share their data with the county. NVG will continue participating in stakeholder discussions as those programs take shape.

The GSP is designed to keep groundwater resources at or above 2015 levels, measured across six sustainability indicators including groundwater levels, storage, water quality, land subsidence, and surface water interaction.

Growers who need to reduce pumping have a range of practical options available this season:

• Stretch irrigation intervals where possible
• Manage canopies actively (hedge often, reduce leaf area early)
• Switch to surface water or recycled water if available
• Use shade cloth and ET-reducing tools to lower vine stress
• Monitor vine water status with pressure chambers or sap flow sensors

For longer-term planning, choices around rootstock selection, row orientation, soil ripping depth, and on-site water storage can meaningfully reduce groundwater dependence over time.
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NVG's Water and Irrigation resource library offers seminar recordings, best practice guides, and more to support your planning. Visit napagrowers.org/water--irrigation to explore.

​Protecting the Napa Valley Subbasin is a shared responsibility, and Napa Valley growers have long been leaders in efficient, thoughtful water stewardship. NVG will continue to advocate for fair, science-based implementation of these regulations while helping members navigate the path forward.

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.

Interested in a marketing audit? Sign up through the NVG grant program here. 
*This grant program ends at the end of September 2026

• "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. 

Between April 21 and May 26, 2026, the Napa Costco Wholesale location received multiple shipments totalling 220 grapevines from Burchell Nursery, Inc. in Fresno County. All life stages of GWSS have been detected on plants from these shipments across multiple California counties, and one GWSS egg mass was found among the Napa shipment. Of the 220 grapevines delivered, 157 remain unaccounted for and may be in the possession of community members who purchased them this spring.

GWSS is a serious invasive pest that spreads Pierce's disease, a bacterial infection that is frequently fatal to grapevines and can also damage citrus, almond, and ornamental plants. Early detection and rapid response are essential to protecting Napa Valley's vineyards and agricultural resources.

If you or anyone you know purchased a grapevine, citrus tree, or other fruit tree at Napa Costco (or a neighboring Costco location) in April or May, please take the following steps immediately:

• Keep the plant isolated in its original pot or container. Do not plant it if you have not already done so.​
• If possible, place the plant in two secured trash bags, sealed closed.
• Do not return, transport, relocate, trash, or compost the plant.
• Contact the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner's Office at 707-253-4357 or [email protected]. An inspector will be dispatched the same day.

For identification tips and photos, visit BUGSPOT.ORG or the California Department of Food and Agriculture website. The attached flyer also includes helpful images of what GWSS adults, nymphs, and egg masses look like.
We know our growers are the first and best line of defense for Napa Valley agriculture. Please share this alert widely with neighbors, colleagues, and anyone in your network who may have purchased plants at Costco this spring. Together, we can keep our vineyards protected.

Identifying the glassy-winged sharpshooter

On Friday, May 22, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers had the privilege of hosting a remarkable group of visitors: a cohort of Ukrainian agri-tech startup founders participating in the UC Berkeley Agro Accelerator program. The afternoon, held at the iconic V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, was a working session designed to bridge two worlds: the deep-rooted agricultural tradition of Napa Valley and the innovative, technology-driven perspective of a new generation of global entrepreneurs.
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This was not a wine tourism stop. It was a genuine exchange between professionals who share a common commitment to advancing agriculture through science, innovation, and collaboration.

The UC Berkeley Agro Accelerator brings together agri-tech companies that already have products and market traction, but are looking to scale, sharpen their investor readiness, and learn how demanding agricultural markets evaluate new technologies. The cohort represented a wide range of innovation areas including precision agriculture, IoT hardware, livestock management, greenhouse automation, and farm data platforms.
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Napa Valley was chosen as the closing experience of their two-week California program for good reason. Our region represents a global standard of excellence in high-value agriculture, and offers a compelling case study in how a sophisticated farming community evaluates, adopts, and integrates new technologies over time. The afternoon was designed to help the founders reflect on the human side of ag-tech adoption: how trust is built with growers, why some solutions succeed while others struggle to gain traction, and what it takes to become a genuine partner to farmers rather than just a vendor.

On Friday, May 8, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers gathered at Louis M. Martini Winery for an evening that reminded us exactly why this organization exists and who it exists to serve.

Our 51st Annual Celebration brought together growers, vintners, partners, and friends from across Napa Valley to recognize a community built not simply on wine, but on farming, stewardship, and the shared belief that this place is worth protecting for generations to come.

Each year, Annual Celebration offers a moment to pause during the growing season and reflect on the people behind the vineyards. The individuals and families who rise before sunrise, adapt through uncertainty, invest in the land, and continue moving Napa Valley agriculture forward.

This year’s celebration was especially meaningful as we honored Jim Regusci as the 2026 Grower of the Year.

Photos by Michael Cuffe of Napa Valley Creative Agency 

​We're excited to announce the launch of the inaugural Napa Valley Grows eAuction, a small, intentional fundraiser built around the growers, families, and vineyard stewards who make Napa Valley wine what it is.

The Napa Valley Grows eAuction features just 12 lots. That's by design.

Rather than building a catalog of dozens of offerings, we curated a focused collection sourced directly from the growers behind the wines: people who have supported NVG for years through education programs, board service, environmental stewardship, and advocacy on behalf of Napa Valley's farming community. Every lot in this auction has a person behind it. Every "About the Grower" section tells a story that belongs here.
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This is not a wine sale with a charitable footnote. It's a grower showcase where the wines happen to be extraordinary.

We could tell you about the scores and the vintages, and they are impressive. But the growers behind every one of these lots are the real reason this auction exists. 

At NVG, our work centers on supporting growers through education, advocacy, and environmental stewardship. The Napa Valley Grows eAuction is an extension of that mission, an opportunity to bring the growers who sustain this valley to the forefront in a more personal way, and to raise meaningful funds for the work we do together.
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The wines are remarkable. But this auction is really about the people behind them.

Explore all 12 lots and place your bids until May 17th at 6pm.
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Thank you for taking the time, and for supporting the growers who make Napa Valley what it is.