​Laurie Wachter

Ren Harris’ roots are firmly planted in California. He is a sixth-generation Californio, a descendant of José Carrillo, who came to the not-yet state with the Portolá expedition in 1769. Another ancestor was the sister-in-law of Sonoma’s founder, General Vallejo. The family of Harris’s wife, Marilyn, adds Napa Valley heritage, as the Pelissa family has farmed there for four generations. 

​In 1967, the couple purchased 30 acres of prunes in Oakville, which they sold in 1975 and acquired the 55-acre estate across the highway that is now part of Harris’s Paradigm Winery’s vineyards. It is also the source of its classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

​“The Agricultural Preserve saved Napa Valley,” says Harris. “My father-in-law, Andy Pelissa, was the only farmer on the Planning Commission when a zoning proposal was put forth in 1968 to stop chopping up farms into home sites. It passed to become the first agricultural preserve in the United States.“

Press Release

​Half a century ago, a group of forward-thinking, passionate Napa Valley farmers met around Ren Harris' dining room table in Oakville to create the Napa Valley Grapegrowers. These pioneers recognized the unique potential inherent in this valley to grow grapes that could create wine worthy of competition with the finest offerings from across the globe. Over the past 50 years, NVG has evolved to address some of the most pressing issues facing the Napa grape-growing community, further establishing and protecting this amazing land for generations to come.

Samie Hartley, Napa Valley Register

he Napa Valley Grapegrowers recently hosted ROOTSTOCK 2024 to discuss two viral threats to vineyard health: Leafroll Virus and Red Blotch Disease.

Difficulties mitigating the spread of both Leafroll Virus and Red Blotch Disease are causing increased concern for growers due to the reductions of fruit quality and negative impact on vineyard profitability, according to a news release. With no cure available, the importance of early detection, innovative management practices, and cutting-edge research has never been higher. ROOTSTOCK, held at Napa Valley College on Nov. 19, featured expert-led sessions and panel discussions that dove into the latest research and mitigation strategies to address these viruses.

​"Preventing the spread of red leaf viruses requires a community effort. We must all work together," said NVG Director Justin Leigon of Piña Vineyard Management. "Local neighborhood groups have been building strong social networks to foster collaboration and share experiences, and the academic community has made significant progress in understanding how red blotch spreads and has identified effective mitigation methods, such as targeted vine removal."

Standing on the precipice of its 50th anniversary, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) remains steadfast in its mission to cultivate viticultural excellence and environmental stewardship for the Napa Valley. In 2025, the organization's work will continue to foster the future of Napa Valley's wine industry with plans to:

Educate: NVG will look at the future of farming in Napa through Ahead of the Curve, the organization's biennial program dedicated to helping grape growers address the challenges of farming, including how to reduce water use and labor costs, and increase efficiencies. The 2025 Ahead of the Curve program will feature AI and other technological advances that enable smarter farming.

​Advocate: The value of vineyards starts with awareness. NVG will continue to connect growers with the broader community through vineyard walks, farmers market booths, and through the launch of Friends of the Grapegrowers (FOG), a program featuring community-focused, educational newsletters and unique opportunities for the public to engage with Napa Valley viticulture...

Pam Strayer, Grape & Wine Magazine
​
“Red blotch is not only novel,” said Cornell researcher Mark Fuchs, speaking at the Napa Grape Growers’ Rootstock conference on November 19. “Red blotch does not behave like anything else we are familiar with.

“Forget about making analogies with Pierce’s disease. Forget about making analogies with leaf roll. We have to empty our hard drive and start rewiring everything, the way we see everything, the way we think about red blotch. So, it requires a whole village to start thinking outside the box.”

Over the last 15 years, grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) has impacted countless winegrape vines, spreading in mysterious ways with no known cure other than vine removal, which has an enormous impact on profitability. Experts recommend replanting a vineyard when GRBV has infected 30% of the vines. Typically, vintners remove individual infected vines, a challenge as the disease can take three years for vines to show symptoms.

A native of Alsace, Fuchs is professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section at Cornell AgriTech​.

KTVU Fox 2

​California's wine industry is responsible for driving $88 billion in economic activity. From farming and manufacturing to advertising and sales, grape growers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and community building. For nearly 50 years, the nonprofit Napa Valley Grapegrowers has been at the forefront of these efforts.

​Nighttime Harvest picks kept crews cool. Photo by SOMM TV

Katherine Martine, Wine Business

​Good growing season conditions and weather leading to a slightly earlier harvest in Napa Valley has vintners excited about the 2024 vintage with some saying the stars are aligning, it's a “pretty awesome vintage” and others noting that optimal harvest conditions means wines, such as Chandon’s sparkling, will be extremely balanced and bright.  
Those were some of the sentiments expressed by four Napa winemakers who convened for a virtual harvest press conference organized by Napa Valley Grapegrowers and Napa Valley Vintners on Oct. 24. 
The four winemaker panelists included Vineyard Manager Matt Stornetta, Stornetta Made Farming; Farm Collective/Tank Garage Winemaker Bertus van Zyl; Senior Director of Winemaking, Richie Allen of Rombauer Vineyards; and CHANDON Director of Winemaking, Pauline Lhote.
Despite some heat waves at the end of June and into early July—Stornetta counted nearly 30 to 40 days above 100 F, a big difference from years past especially 2023 when there were maybe eight to 10 days of over 100-degree heat—nice soil moisture and vegetative growth helped vines cope with warm temperatures. 

Cornell Barnard, ABC7news

​In the North Bay, Napa Valley grape growers are taking stock of this year's harvest. Many winemakers are giving the 2024 vintage a thumbs up despite some challenging growing conditions, like almost 40 days of 100-degree heat.

It's the last day of grape pressing at Rombauer Vineyards in St. Helena. A purple rain of fruit from the 2024 harvest was being collected Thursday by senior winemaker, Richie Allen and his crew.

"Here is Cabernet from St. Helena, we can tell by the aroma it's a high-quality lot. It has the right amount of extract and tannin we want," said Allen.

Jess Durate, Napa Valley Register

Napa Valley grape growers say a wet winter and advanced viticultural practices helped local vineyards thrive during an unusually hot growing season.
Growers shared their perspectives on the 2024 vintage during the Napa Valley Grapegrowers’ and Napa Valley Vintners’ joint harvest press conference on Thursday.

Matt Stornetta, vineyard manager of Stornetta Made Vineyards Management, counted 38 to 40 days with temperatures of 100 degrees or more, up from eight to 10 days in 2023.
Soil moisture and healthy canopy growth helped the vines withstand the heat, according to Pauline Lhote, winemaking director at Chandon. It helped that the July heat wave hit before veraison, the beginning of grape ripening, thus limiting grapes’ susceptibility to heat damage.
Winemaker Bertus van Zyl of Farm Collective said the early heat wave “set the trend for the season” and primed the vines to endure subsequent hot weather. “The vines looked fine,” he said.
Aside from soil moisture, smart farming practices were a major factor in the vines' success.
Stornetta said no-till floor management dramatically reduces temperatures, although it’s not suitable for all soil types. Van Zyl pointed to drought-tolerant rootstocks.