Thank you for your support of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers!

We are continually humbled by the generosity of our community as witnessed in August at Harvest STOMP. More than $3 million dollars was raised for the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation. Split between the two organizations, the funds will be used for education and advocacy to protect ag land, elevate sustainable farming, and address fire, water, soil, and climate concerns, as well as support and promote Napa Valley’s vineyard workers with education and professional development, including adult literacy, management training, and mentorship programs to foster the next generation of leaders.

Harvest STOMP is one heck of a party, but we never lose sight of how grateful we are to everyone who joins us that one night to fundraise for both the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation. Thank you to each and every one of you who value agriculture and honor the men and women who work in the vineyards. We appreciate you!

Photo by Sarah Anne Risk

What makes Napa Valley so special? Too many things to count, but at the top of the list are the valuable ecosystems within the vineyard. Protecting those ecosystems to ensure every vineyard thrives is why the focus of this year’s ROOTSTOCK was weed management.

Weed management is an integral part of the vineyard management system; however, as consumers' and lenders' perceptions around herbicides shift, there is mounting pressure across the wine production chain to adapt farming methods. And as Napa Valley growers continue to strive for viticultural excellence, employing innovative practices is paramount to continuing to increase quality and sustainability in our vineyards.

Speakers examined the current trends and public perception in herbicide use, laws and regulations for pesticides, DPR's sustainable pest management plan for California, innovative approaches to weed management, and practical approaches to developing a farming strategy that centers on long-term sustainability and healthy, resilient ecosystems.

We are grateful for the support of donors, like you, who make ROOTSTOCK possible. And we're grateful to everyone who presented and attended.  

“Who knew weed control would be such a riveting topic? But, Napa Valley Grapegrowers did it again: at Rootstock they presented an absolutely critical area of our operations, facing its challenges head-on with the science we need, the consumer insight we may not have wanted to hear, and an excellent case study that was great food for thought.” - Russ Weis, Walsh Vineyard Management

“What I got most out of the presentations was reframing how we look at the other plants growing along side our grapevines. Some of those plants are weeds in the classic sense that they decrease the quality of our grapes. But others are actually helping us grow better grapes with less inputs. The next step is figuring out how to use the information to customize a solution for each different vineyard situation. The speakers offered  good ideas for how we can start to do that.” -Chris Cooney, Dana Estates

Photo by Sarah Anne Risk

A big win for Napa County! We appealed to the Napa County Board of Supervisors and succeeded in adding wildfire resources to the Napa County budget. We advocated for hiring a new fire liaison, increasing early detection capabilities, providing additional funds for FireWise, and enhancing wildfire safety for the entire County. In October, Napa County hired its first fire administrator, David Shew. Thank you, Napa County! 

Preventing, mitigating and recovering from fires is not a solo effort, which is why we are grateful to our community partners for collaborating on the recent Volunteer Fire Fighter Appreciation event and the Wildfire Resilience Summit. 

​As a continuation of our leadership on wildfire issues and unifying efforts around resiliency, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, in collaboration with the County of Napa and Napa Valley Vintners, hosted the first ever Volunteer Firefighter Appreciation event on October 29. These are the men and women who fight the fires that threaten our region, and we were thrilled to honor them.​

​On November 2, we partnered with the Napa Valley Community Foundation, Napa Valley Vintners, Silverado Farming Company and Redwood Credit Union to present the Wildfire Resilience Summit. Open to the public, this look at how to become more wildfire resilient included a panel discussion facilitated by Mina Kim, the award-winning reporter and co-host of KQED’s Forum, and speakers Representative Mike Thompson, Senator Bill Dodd, and Megafire Action Fund co-founder George Whitesides. Learn more here.

Thank you to our valuable community partners that work with us on matters that strengthen our community.

​Ask Ren Harris, Paradigm owner and U.S. history buff, what history he finds most interesting, and he’ll tell you it's his family’s history…and he’s not kidding. And you’ll be entertained. Read more.

Summer Mentor Program offers work experience to Napa County high schoolers – Katie DeBenedetti, Napa Valley Register

Napa Valley's 2023 grape harvest may be delayed by weeks due to cool spring, summer – Cornell Barnard, ABC 7 San Francisco

John Anthony Family of Wines Expands Philanthropic Efforts Through Upcoming Local Sponsorships – Press Release, Wine Industry Advisor

Harvest STOMP: A Party Grown from Napa’s Deep Roots – Press release, Wine Industry Network and published on Nob Hill Gazette

Toto’s Dream Debut on Auction Market” – W. Blake Gray, Wine-Searcher

Start of sparkling wine grape harvest comes 3 weeks late in Napa County – The Press Democrat and North Bay Business Journal

Harvest STOMP Raises Funds for the Future of Napa Valley Agriculture – Press release, Wine Industry Network

The Impact of CUSP Grant-Funded Technical Assistant Programs – Press release, Wine Industry Network

From vines to philanthropy: This is John Anthony Truchard's story" – ABC7 San Francisco

V. Sattui Winery Demonstrates Commitment to Sustainability Through Generous Donation to Napa Valley Grapegrowers – Wine Industry Advisor

Harvest updates series in partnership with the Napa Valley Vintners

You did it!

Your generosity last year is the fuel that is powering the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) in 2023. In the first six months of this year, your support funded a combined:

• 230+ hours of education
• 30 programs
• 961 participants

 
And it launched new education, training, advocacy efforts, and more, highlights include:

• NVG advocated for community wildfire resources and succeeded in getting the Napa County Board of Supervisors to add a new fire liaison, an increase in early fire-detection capabilities, and additional funds for FireWise
• NVG participated on the Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Plan Advisory Committee, providing leadership during the creation of Napa County's new 20-year Groundwater Sustainability Plan
• FWF offered a new Introduction to Welding course, boosting the skill set and supporting career advancement for 20 farmworkers
• FWF launched a Women’s Leadership Workshop for 45 women managers and supervisors, aspiring to build their careers, enhance their leadership and public speaking skills, and connect with other women supervisors leading the way
• NVG and FWF partnered to expanded the Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity to connect 40 high school students with 23 NVG members, providing hands-on job training and access to career paths

Now, Harvest STOMP is mere days away and not only is it the best party of the year it’s the most important party of the year. Thank you for raising the critical funds used to provide education and advocacy that support the preservation of agriculture, protection of our natural resources, initiation of environmentally impactful farming practices, and the cultivation of the next generation of leaders.
 
Cheers!

​The Harvest STOMP e-Auction is live and will be open until Thursday, August 24 at 8pm. And howdy, there are some aaaaammmmazzzing lots, from Scarecrow wine and a Cakebread Cellars cooking class to rare verticals and large format bottles of Napa Valley’s best wines. Check it out now!

​Last year at STOMP, the Oakville Winegrowers generously donated spots to STOMP bidders at its 30-year anniversary party at Groth Vineyards & Winery. Happy Anniversary and thank you for letting us in on the fun!

Dr. Ayana Elizabet Johnson in conversation with Drew Isaacs at Ahead of the Curve

This statement was just one of the important messages that we took away from our bi-annual event, Ahead of the Curve, because collaboration is critical for us to succeed. In the first few months of this year, our staff produced more than a dozen workshops, events, and classes on topics ranging from Spanish for the Wine Industry to Water Conservation—all of which are meant to inspire action. Each provides valuable resources and tools that cultivate viticultural excellence and environmental stewardship, and they simply would not happen without teamwork or without your support. Thank you.

On May 12, we celebrated 48 years! The evening was filled with thoughtful conversation, beautiful wines, culinary delights, and a toast to our work. We are thankful for our host, Paraduxx, caterer, Tre Posti, and sponsors for making the evening special.

The highlight of the evening was recognizing Garrett Buckland as the 2023 Napa Valley Grower of the Year. With special toasts to honor his agricultural leadership for the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and local community, it was a heartfelt tribute.

​In the midst of all our spring activities, there was some fun too! On April 15, Jim and Laura Regusci threw open their doors for the 2022 Harvest STOMP buy-a-spot party, Good Times Ahead! Skeet Shooting with Congressman Mike Thompson. More than 50 people gathered for an afternoon of skeet shooting, a delicious supper, and line-up of Napa Valley wines from the Regusci family.

Ahead of the Curve, held in March, is a cornerstone event for Napa Valley Grapegrowers, when we take a 10,000-foot view of our industry. It’s meant to be provocative and promote a forward gaze. This year’s event brought viticultural excellence onto the same stage as climate resiliency. Speakers addressed risks and opportunities related to climate leadership, policy, consumer perception, global standards and supply chains. Read more.

When Judy and Dennis Groth left Santa Clara, once idyllic farmland that was slowly turning into urban sprawl, for Napa Valley it was a tough transition for Napa Valley Grapegrowers Board Director Suzanne Groth. As a teenager she wasn’t thrilled about moving to a former dairy farm. But later, as an adult there was no resisting the siren call of Oakville. In between Suzanne ventured away to study art and to paint before returning to Napa Valley. And after a couple of decades working for her parents, she took the helm as President and CEO of Groth Vineyards & Winery when her father retired in 2017. Today, her imprint on Groth, and the Oakville region, is as present as her striking paintings that grace the walls of the iconic winery. 

But ask Suzanne to tell you about her art, and she begins her story by talking about her mother, who passed away in 2021. Judy, similar to other women who moved to Napa Valley to build a winery with their husbands in the 1970s and 80s, was instrumental in the construction and design of Groth. Judy had a fascination with California’s missions, which influenced the winery’s architecture and its pastel peach shade. And it wasn’t just the silhouette and color that inspired Judy, she was also drawn to the fountains, the exposed beams, and the wide corridors of the missions—all which is evident from the moment you cross Groth’s threshold onto the richly hued Spanish tiles to when you peer down upon the profusion of wisteria that when in bloom turns the courtyard into a work of art. Judy managed those millions of details while raising three teenagers in a new place—one that she and her husband invested their entire savings in.
 
When Suzanne was young, it was Judy who put paints in her hand and later, when Suzanne gifted her mother one of her boldly colored paintings, Judy said, “I know what I’m going to do with this.” She transformed it into the announcement for the next Groth release party. It was a hit and every year afterward Suzanne was asked to paint a new one for that year’s event. Among Suzanne’s admirers were Denise DeBartolo York and John York, who commissioned her to paint three works of art for the Forty-Niners stadium in Santa Clara.
 
Today, Suzanne mostly paints for her own enjoyment--running the winery and being a mother, she doesn’t have time to pursue her talents on a commercial basis. When she does paint, it’s mostly watercolors and it’s mostly as an escape from the news or politics. It’s easy to imagine that those paintings are as captivating as her earlier vibrant work, so hopefully those watercolors will find their place on the walls of Groth sometime soon. ​

Napa Valley Grapegrowers staff (left to right) Quincy Scott, Molly Moran Williams, Ben O'Dwyer, Alexandra Konieczny, Emily Hegarty, and Caroline Fuechuk cuddle up with a crew of fire prevention kids.

​For more than three years, Molly Moran Williams, our Industry and Community Relations Director, along with our Industry Issues Committee and community partners, has been tirelessly advocating for the additional funding from Napa County for a variety of wildfire initiatives, the support of state budget chairs for wildfire smoke exposure research, and so much more. Read about our recent advocacy work. 

“Napa Valley Grapegrowers seeks strategies for climate resilience at ‘Ahead of the Curve’ seminar” – Liz Thach, Decanter
“Climate activist visits Napa Valley to discuss far-reaching effects of farming impacts on ocean” – Danielle Wilde, Napa Valley Register
“Napa Valley Grapegrowers Report: Low smoke burning” – Larry Bettinelli for the Napa Valley Register
“Q & A: Napa Valley winemaker Dan Petroski explores new marketing strategies” – Danielle Wilde, Napa Valley Register
“Napa Organizations Join Forces to Protect the Community from Wildfire” –  Press Release - Wine Industry Advisor

Inside our 2022 annual report, you’ll learn more about how your investment in our organization directly supported education and advocacy initiatives. In the new featured supporter highlight sections, you’ll also be introduced to Drew Isaacs, Barbara Gabel and Zach Zachowski, and Marjorie and Gordon Burns who all care deeply about fostering a strong grape-growing community today and for future generations. Read the Annual Report 

​

TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Funding Source=1% for the Planet | Water Works | In the News

It rained—and rained and rained and there’s more in the forecast!

​The rain has been beneficial for vineyards, and for replenishing reservoirs and groundwater. However, the drought continues in Napa Valley, and water conservation is top-of-mind for the Napa Valley Grapegrowers. We’ve dedicated programming and advocacy efforts to focus on water, from offering irrigation and reclamation best practices to advocating on behalf of Napa Valley’s grape growers on critical water needs. We have more to say about water below, along with links to resources and events.
 
And one thing is certain: it isn’t just grapes that benefit from the rain, it’s our water-loving friends, like these otters, too!

​This work, like everything we do, is made possible by donors, like you. Thank you.

The Napa Valley Grapegrowers is funded largely by donors who attend Harvest STOMP each year, as well as sponsorships, membership dues, grants and other contributions. Recently, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers was selected as a 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner. With this recognition, we will gain access to a network of 1% for the Planet Business members that actively commit to giving 1% of gross sales to organizations making positive changes for the environment.

1% for the Planet is a global movement, created by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Files, that provides organizations with support for solving the planet’s problems. Its Business members support 1% for the Planet Environmental Partners with monetary donations, volunteer time, in-kind donations, and other forms of promotion, and select which Environmental Partners to support.
The carefully vetted selection process included a review of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers for its advocacy, conservation, stewardship, and education efforts toward a brighter future.

To be eligible, the NVG met the following qualifications:

• A nomination from a 1% for the Planet Business Partner, which was achieved thanks to Paradigm Winery, and its founder Ren Harris, who also was a founder of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers
• Its mission and programs are connected to one or more of 1% for the Planet Impact Area Targets
• Its budget includes at least two-thirds dedicated to programming aligned with 1% for the Planet Impact Areas

 
The Napa Valley Grapegrowers’ educational programming on environmental topics was assessed as was its annual calendar, which addresses the concerns we all face, such as water conservation and wildfire preparedness. Additionally, our programs, such as the Low Smoke Burning Program and Climate Science Series, taught by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Senior Lecturer Drew Issacs were also taken into consideration.

Through 1% for the Planet, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers is excited to build a broader network of environment-conscious businesses and organizations throughout Napa, the Northern California Bay Area, and beyond to share our mission and welcome new supporters.

To learn more about 1% for the Planet, visit onepercentfortheplanet.org.

From the start, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers has continually provided crucial resources and tools that have not been available anywhere else. We’re proud of our ability to adapt to the needs of our agricultural community with relevant programming and services. One perfect example of this is our response to water, whether its best practices for preventing erosion or addressing irrigation during a drought.

On Thursday, February 2, we’ll offer a Water Conservation Seminar focused on water management in a drought, practical tools and processes, and complying with the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Learn more here. 

While it’s unlikely we’ll face another atmospheric river like the ones we saw as the new year began, we offer a best practices for winter storms post on our Industry Blog that can be found here. 

Our best practices video library selection includes erosion control and cover crops. You can find those videos here. 

Additionally, our best practices videos and white papers also address drought with information about irrigation and water reclamation. You can find those here. 

We also provide a selection of event presentations focused on drought and irrigation. You can find those videos here. 

Our work on behalf of Napa Valley’s grape growers extends far beyond the tools and resources we provide via our programming and events. Our Industry & Community Relations Director, Molly Moran Williams, devotes a large percentage of her time to advocacy work, including water issues, with the goal of helping to meet environmental goals and ensure continued viability of farming.

In the last year, Molly was an active participant in the development of Napa County’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan, to ensure growers were represented in the process. This plan was passed by the state last week. She was also instrumental in the development and delivery of two presentations on Water Mitigation Strategies in Napa Valley Vineyards. The first was presented to the Groundwater Sustainability Plan Technical Advisory Group and the second to the WICC Board (Watershed Council) This advocacy work helps ensure sustainable management of our precious resources.

Non-Water News
This year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’ve added a new position of Grower Advocacy Coordinator to expand our advocacy work, including water initiatives, crop-insurance needs, climate-resiliency education, and industry group partnerships.
​
We are proud that our Fire Resiliency Best Practices in the Napa Valley video produced by our Program Director, Emily Hagerty, is featured at the top of the page of Napa County’s Fire Department Page. It makes crucial information about defensible space more widely available to all of the residents of Napa Valley and beyond. Thank you to our community for its support in making this possible. 

Napa Valley Register
Big Napa Valley Habitat Restoration Project to Begin Next Year
Vintner Ted Hall's wish that steelhead trout could more easily go from the Napa River on the Napa Valley floor to the Bear Creek spawning grounds in the Mayacamas Mountains is getting a boost.
​
San Francisco Examiner
Rains are right on time for winegrowers
As sheets of rain and hail pounded parts of San Francisco Tuesday, Michael Baldacci, owner and winemaker at Baldacci Family Vineyards, looked out his window at the renowned Stags Leap District in Napa County and saw his cover crops coming to life.

Instagram
Pulling Vines
It's not every day you get to see this in action! 

Napa Valley Register
Napa Valley Grapegrowers Report: Investing in the aquifer
In recent years, there has been a surge in awareness and interest around sustainability and land stewardship across California farming communities — and not only among agricultural producers.

The Napa Valley Grapegrowers (Federal Tax ID #82-2012860) is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations received are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Identify the events pictured in the nine squares and win a prize! Send your answers to [email protected].

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Why We STOMP! | STOMP Funds at Work | Ag Pass | In the News

Eeehaw! The 15th annual Harvest STOMP A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!
 
There are many, many reasons we STOMP, not the least of which is the funds you raise on this one-night each year fuel the crucial advocation, education, and preservation for our industry that makes an impact now and into the future.
 
When we hosted our first STOMP in 2008, we knew it would be a barn raiser, but year after year, it’s exceeded our expectations. This year was no exception, from a caviar and sparkling wine start to a taco truck and dancing finish, with lots of heartfelt sentiment, a shiny space craft and the cutest puppy ever, 2022 Harvest STOMP was more than just a fundraiser, it was a fun-raiser. And more than just fun—the outpouring of support from our community highlights the necessity of our work on climate resiliency, water adaptability, and fire prevention and mitigation.
 
We could not be more grateful to all of you, who contributed to the success of STOMP.
 
What a night! Here are a few of our favorite photos!

Want to join us at STOMP next year? Become a sponsor. Click here for more information.

Last year, was also a banner year for STOMP and one of the benefits was that we were able to set aside funds for an emergency—a first for us as a non-profit. That emergency happened this summer.
 
We learned at the last minute that funding was needed for monitoring the three wildfire-detection sensors installed on on Atlas Peak, Clover Flat, and Diamond Mountain by Napa County last year. The monitoring had been paid for by private organizations in the beginning of the 2022 fire season, but we in August it was brought to our attention that the funding had run out. We were able to step in, and using funds raised at last year’s Harvest STOMP, pay for the sensors’ monitoring for the month of September rather than let them sit unwatched.
 
Then on Monday, September 5, 2022, as temperatures soared to record highs, the sensors were the first to identify a fire in the eastern hills between Oakville and Yountville. Cal Fire was immediately notified and was able to extinguish the fire quickly, avoiding what could have been a catastrophic event.
 
Later that week, we received reports of three more fire detections picked up by the sensors and kept under control within the same 24-hour period.
 
The cost of the fire-detection sensor monitoring was more than $30,000 per month, which will increase next year. This is a relatively low cost compared to the loss of 3,000-plus structures and destruction of nearly 700,000 acres from the region’s wildfires of the last five years.
 
Thanks to the generosity of our STOMP donors, not only were we able to fund the sensor monitors this year we were able to work with industry and community partners to ensure detection through the entire 2022 fire season—a benefit to everyone who works and lives in Napa County.

Advocating on behalf of our members and industry, on topics ranging from insurance to safety, comprises a lot of the work that we are able to do thanks to your support. Our end goal is always to serve our community as a whole. One example is the Ag Pass. 

In an effort to be prepared in advance of potential disasters including fire, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers has worked with the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office to develop a streamlined process for issuing Ag Passes.

Avoiding a “business-as-usual” attitude, this program now includes a safety training program to ensure users better understand and minimize fire risks, while enabling work to continue and protecting livelihoods.

Ag Passes are designed for eligible commercial agricultural producers who may need to conduct essential agricultural activities during a disaster. 

This critical program was key to maintaining the viability of farming operations during the recent wildfires. The County, working with the NVG, is among the first counties in California to implement a unique plan that creates additional oversight to allow for the safe movement of people during a disaster.
 
Learn more about the Ag Pass

Decanter
Napa Valley Grapegrowers to receive climate change funding
Funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency will be allocated to the Napa Valley Grapegrowers for climate change education. Read more
 
San Francisco Chronicle
Napa industry groups are spending nearly $100,000 to get through wildfire season
As California enters the height of fire season, Napa wine and hospitality groups have joined forces in an effort to stop blazes from getting out of control. Read more
 
winebusiness.com
Fire Resources Fair Takes Place in St. Helena
Property owners seeking to better protect land, homes and wineries from wildfires came to St. Helena Thursday to connect with vendors and ask questions. Read more
 
Wine-Searcher
Big Names and Big Bottles for Napa Auction | Wine-Searcher News & Features
Another week, another Napa auction – but this one is different from the usual high-end offering. Read more
 
Wine Spectator
Napa's 2022 Harvest Stomp Auction Raises $3.3 Million for Charity
The event celebrated its 15th year with record support for farmer education and vineyard preservation. Read more

The Napa Valley Grapegrowers (Federal Tax ID #82-2012860) is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations received are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.