Sacramento, Calif. - Today, the University of California Agricultural Issues Center released an economic study which finds that use of the federal drawback program expanded rapidly over the past decade, resulting in significant movement in bulk wine supply and prices for California winegrapes.
However, determining whether the drawback program is helpful or harmful to California’s winegrape growers depends upon several factors: a grower’s crush district; whether a grower’s grapes are destined for use in economy-priced wines and/or bulk wine, or in bottled wine at higher price points; and, the relative balance of wine imports versus exports.
“I applaud UC Davis for their thorough analysis of the drawback program,” said Kim Ledbetter Bronson, chair of the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG). “The drawback program is obscure and complicated, but the study makes clear the program has a significant impact on our industry.”
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Celebrate California Wine at Consumer Events Across the State
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Governor Jerry Brown has proclaimed September 2011 as California Wine Month, the seventh consecutive year the state has recognized the contributions of the state’s growers and vintners by proclamation. To celebrate, many of the Golden State’s wineries, winegrape growers and regional associations are hosting special consumer wine events.
“As an industry, California wine brings innumerable benefits to the state. Our scenic and historic wine-growing regions, a renowned cuisine based on food and wine pairings, and the opportunity to taste and purchase our world-famous wines bring an estimated 20.7 million tourists to our state each year,” said Governor Brown in the proclamation. “Our state’s wineries create jobs for 330,000 Californians and revenue from retail sales of $18.4 billion, including $1.14 billion in exports sales to 122 countries.”
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Winegrape growers commend governor's action that protects secret ballot vote
Sacramento, Calif. - Following Governor Jerry Brown's veto of Senate Bill 104, Kim Ledbetter Bronson, chair of the California Association of Winegrape Growers released the following statement today:
"We commend Governor Jerry Brown for protecting the right of California farm employees to a secret ballot vote. By vetoing Senate Bill 104, Governor Brown made clear that union interests should not trump the rights of agricultural employees.”
“Workers will continue to have the right to decide the question of union representation without fear of harassment and intimidation.”
To read Governor Brown’s full veto message, click the link below:
http://gov.ca.gov/docs/SB_104_Veto_Message.pdf
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Sacramento, Calif., May 17, 2011 -- The California Wine Grape Growers Foundation (CWGGF) has awarded 10 high school seniors with nearly $30,000 in scholarships, including a one-time special scholarship to a student overcoming exceptional challenges. These scholarships support the educational dreams of students whose parents are vineyard employees of winegrape growers. Congratulations to this year’s winners:
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Sacramento, Calif. – In a letter to Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) Administrator John Manfreda, grower groups urged the bureau to publish for public comment two long standing petitions that address wine labeling issues. Leaders of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers, Oregon Winegrowers Association, New York Wine Grape Growers and California Farm Bureau signed the letter, dated April 20, 2011.
“Consumers and growers deserve clear and honest wine labeling,” said John Aguirre, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. “For years now, these petitions have languished at TTB and it is time the bureau take action to ensure label integrity.”
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Cuts in tariffs could increase U.S. farm gate exports by more than $1.8 billion.
Long Beach, Calif. – California winegrape growers joined with United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to support the long-awaited U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. At a press conference today in Long Beach, winegrape grower and vice chair of the California Association of Winegrape Growers Heidi Scheid joined Vilsack, Mayor Bob Foster and other California agricultural leaders in calling for quick action on the agreement.
“Korea is an important market opportunity for California winegrape growers,” said Scheid. “At this point in the economic recovery, a free trade agreement with Korea would provide a much needed boost for the California wine industry.” The California Association of Winegrape Growers joins a growing coalition of agricultural groups in calling for prompt action by Congress on this vital trade agreement.
Economists concluded in a 2009 study by University of California at Davis, Agricultural Issues Center, that implementation of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, may more than double California’s current exports of agricultural products to that country, valued at $280 million. President Obama is expected to soon send the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement to Congress for consideration.
For more information visit: http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/korus-fta
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Sacramento, Calif., March 2, 2011 – Last night Governor Jerry Brown made an impromptu appearance at the ninth annual California Wine Grape Growers Foundation (CWGGF) Capital Wine Dinner with a message of collaboration. The event, which took place at the Sutter Club in Sacramento drew more than 100 attendees this year.
“California is facing unprecedented challenges,” said Governor Brown. “We have to come together to find the higher objective, which is improving our state. That is my goal.”
Governor Brown spoke briefly and then met winegrape growers face-to-face, asking questions and discussing issues important to the winegrape growing community. He continually spoke of the need for a unified effort to resolve California’s standing fiscal and economic challenges.
While Governor Brown’s attendance was a highlight of the event, it’s important to note that more than $47,000 was raised during the March 1st dinner held at the Sutter Club in Sacramento. This total is up $15,000 from last year’s $32,000 raised.
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Sacramento, Calif., Feb. 10, 2011 – According to the 2010 Preliminary Grape Crush Report, California’s wine grape crush totaled 3.58 million tons - higher than anticipated, but less than what was crushed in 2009. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at just over 2 million tons, down 1 percent from 2009. The 2010 white wine variety crush totaled 1.5 million tons, down 6 percent from 2009.
“With 17 consecutive years of growth in wine consumption, this year’s crush report is good news for the overall health of the California wine industry” said Kim Ledbetter Bronson, chair of the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG). “While we thought weather issues would take a bigger bite out of the crop, I see a continuing trend toward balance of supply and demand. This is positive for consumers, wineries and growers.”
“When you consider reported problems with the Australian crop, I think the crush report’s numbers mean a better price environment for growers in 2011, while still providing sufficient grapes at all price points to keep wineries happy.” said Nat DiBuduo, President and CEO of Allied Grape Growers and CAWG board member. “However, over the long term, there is a risk that winegrape demand may outpace supply.”
The Preliminary Grape Crush Report includes all grape tonnage crushed during the 2010 season. It also includes purchased tonnage and pricing information for grapes with final prices prior to January 10, 2011. The Final Grape Crush Report, which will be released on March 10, 2011, and will include additional purchased tonnage, prices and corrections.
Click to read the 2010 Preliminary Grape Crush Report.
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SACRAMENTO, Calif., January 27, 2011 – The 2011 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium turned California’s state capitol into the epicenter of the wine and grape industry, welcoming a record 12,200 attendees to the Sacramento Convention Center. For 17 years, the event – the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere – hosts wine and grape industry professionals from around the world to discuss the industry’s latest trends, issues and needs.
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Sacramento, Calif., January 12, 2011 -- The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) applauds Governor Jerry Brown’s announcement today that he will appoint Karen Ross, former president of CAWG, as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
“Governor Brown made an outstanding choice in selecting Karen Ross. She knows and understands California agriculture and is experienced on state, federal and international issues,” said John Aguirre president of CAWG. “The Governor’s appointment of Ross is very reassuring to the California winegrape industry.”
Kim Ledbetter Bronson, partner in Vino Farms and Chair of CAWG, stated, “The appointment of Karen Ross tells me Governor Brown understands the importance of CDFA to the agricultural community.” Ledbetter-Bronson added, “I know Karen will bring steady, thoughtful leadership to the department.”
Karen Ross served as president of CAWG from 1996 to 2009, before accepting a position in 2010 in President Obama’s Administration as Chief of Staff to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
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