VASCM: CAWG Weekly e-News Update

Fri Jan 21 08:37:10 PST 2011

There are some topics you might find of interest in this latest 
newsletter from the California Assn. of Winegrape Growers, which covers 
some recent TTB decisions, marketing programs, and statewide farming issues.

Mary Lindsay
VASCM
Muns Vineyard
408-234-2079 (cell)

*Your source for CAWG and industry news* 	**January 20, 2011**

*In This Issue*
*CAWG Winemaking Terms Survey <#LETTER.BLOCK42>*
*Greenhouse Gas Report Available <#LETTER.BLOCK26>*
*TTB Amends AVA Regulations <#LETTER.BLOCK15>*
*New Grape Variety Names <#LETTER.BLOCK38>*
*Card Check Reintroduced <#LETTER.BLOCK40>*
*Submit Events for Upcoming Press Releases <#LETTER.BLOCK45>*
*In the News <#LETTER.BLOCK29>*

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*Upcoming Events*
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*January 25-27*
Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Sacramento** **
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*January 25*
CAWG Annual Meeting, Sacramento

*March 1*
CA Winegrape Growers Foundation 9th Annual Capital Wine Dinner, Sacramento

*March 1-2*
CAWG Board of Directors Meeting, Sacramento

*March 1-2 *
Winegrape Day at the Capitol, Sacramento
* *
*May 8-11*
US Wine and Grape Policy Conference, Washington D.C.  

* CAWG Connection*

*CAWG Winemaking Terms Survey*

The use of many winemaking terms that appear on labels and in 
advertisements is governed by agency policy, not formal regulation. The 
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is asking whether or not 
it should undertake a formal regulatory process to define and clarify 
what these terms mean and how they can be used.

To determine what regulations may be appropriate, TTB published a notice 
last November asking for industry comment.  The ability of wineries to 
use certain terms on labels to describe wines may enhance that wine's 
value and, in turn, provide important market benefits to winegrape 
growers. To help CAWG prepare appropriate comments in response to TTB's 
request, we hope that growers will participate in an online survey 
helping us understand growers' perspective on the use and possible 
regulation of certain winemaking terms. Please click here 
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7wzeipdab&et=1104276014310&s=929&e=001Zzvr7tJRYuIQyzr_fMHjwvpHwCtQcLGONCDVTWVzFQ6iTlZuNR03hFx7BLhLW-koCp4gJlDbtIp2D-KHEIFHVYJPU3hFFAjl> to 
participate in the survey. It will take less than 10 minutes.

*Greenhouse Gas and Vineyards Report Now Available*

The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, UC Davis scientists and 
project partners released a comprehensive report about greenhouse gases 
(GHG) and vineyards. The report includes background information on 
California's agricultural GHG production and mitigation potential, along 
with a general overview of the biogeochemistry of the carbon and 
nitrogen cycles and their interactions. The report emphasizes what 
research is needed to produce a reasonable estimate of California's 
vineyard GHG footprint. Click here 
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7wzeipdab&et=1104276014310&s=929&e=001Zzvr7tJRYuKf23VuMer6rjX1lAlnUN626s4SnDS5AjIA-schF8OF8m4SB3qge7cdhkQ3aIKMPsd-HPDddiu3K30v2kYlra-56f-tQnDVe-nJl5z91a5YWGruzZDBam8X9ugmhp7XyIP6LK1IDu1eW0QAaKDzBqtVLqCDfxehql4AWML2lb7Ahw==> to 
view the report, /California Vineyard Greenhouse Gas Emissions: 
Assessment of the Available Literature and Determination of Research Needs./

* Industry News*

*TTB Amends Regulations that Establish AVA's*

Today, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau published a notice 
in the Federal Register announcing its decision to amend regulations 
related to the establishment of American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). 
TTB's changes are intended to clarify existing regulatory standards 
governing the establishment of AVAs and clarify the rules for preparing, 
submitting, and processing viticultural area petitions. The new 
regulations are effective February 22, 2011.

TTB specifically asked for comments on proposed changes in November 
2007, when the agency stated the need for a comprehensive review of the 
AVA program. The new rules address such important issues as the 
establishment of AVAs within existing AVAs, and potential conflicts 
between proposed AVAs and established brand labels containing terms that 
would be viticulturally significant. To read the TTB's notice published 
in today's Federal Register, click here 
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7wzeipdab&et=1104276014310&s=929&e=001Zzvr7tJRYuLy6wVMIxojRHpM17IB6A4ARZA5awBJTQE4IW5UQuImZ0pFqNvbBFmuCl2kgeqZ57f4FWu7F72JBNQ5ZWqvxE7I8gSVaf7n7K1n5jI5vvhyJZ_f5d_6dOQx2Fopq4YsaH0WWecWiDJKR69zHC8HRXFT>.

*Addition of New Grape Variety Names for American Wines*

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to amend its 
regulations by adding a number of new names to the list of grape variety 
names approved for use in designating American wines. In addition, TTB 
proposes to include separate entries for synonyms of existing entries so 
that readers can more readily find them and to correct one existing 
entry. Written comments on TTB's proposal must be submitted on or before 
March 21, 2011. Click here 
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7wzeipdab&et=1104276014310&s=929&e=001Zzvr7tJRYuLPgDzXE2CPw9WEGzno-4KxtMmUXy7rovj0IqriI_2wtkBbB8S6oducsvf0qDvFudhTGObdAX1rubZApBmfWpZ-nHFRhoWErpF6xD4_8gEInQ-i3Ijh3uSsZggiIzIqWyDZcB7y2ZJzgozXnKSv-fkr> to 
find a copy of TTB's proposed notice of rulemaking.

* Public Policy*

*Card Check Legislation is Reintroduced *

On January 12, state Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg 
introduced SB 104, a bill that would eliminate the need for labor unions 
to win the right to represent farm workers through a secret ballot 
election. The bill would allow unions to unionize farm workers by 
collecting signed "representation cards" from a majority of the 
employees in a bargaining unit. CAWG and other California agricultural 
groups strongly oppose "card check" legislation. Last year, Governor 
Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a card check bill.

* Marketing and Promotion*

*Submit Winery Events for Upcoming Press Release*

CAWG and the Wine Institute are developing press releases on the 
following consumer topics to help boost awareness and visitation of 
California wine country.  CAWG members with wineries are invited to 
submit information on special winery events for Valentine's Day or Earth 
Day/Month in April that can be promoted 
on www.discovercaliforniawine.com 
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7wzeipdab&et=1104276014310&s=929&e=001Zzvr7tJRYuIQn20zX2j5_lkoNmtBH_FCuZwz7oFbt6CaklNyzyDh9_o19CWqHCm2fDaYE4l_awC23a17iwZgmkVNBuwUh_JjHvNnK49sAJTVmKttE3MD5vsPKJ1DZ-o3> and 
mentioned in the news releases.

1)     *Romantic Wine Country Getaways for Valentine's Day* - Please 
submit short descriptions on Valentine's Day events, such as winemaker 
dinners/pairings, and submit by *Jan. 21* to sharlene at cawg.org 
<mailto:sharlene at cawg.org>.

Members planning events as part of a hotel package should include: Name 
of Package, Location, Description of package, including valid dates, 
starting price and how to secure the package, including booking codes 
and website if applicable (150 words or less - package must be good for 
Valentine's Day but the offer can be extended for the month of February.)

2)     *Eco-Friendly Wine Country Getaways for Earth Day/Month (April)* 
- Please submit information on special events at wineries for Earth 
Day/Month in April that can be promoted 
at www.discovercaliforniawine.com/events/create 
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7wzeipdab&et=1104276014310&s=929&e=001Zzvr7tJRYuIhwUsageEQGxc_2lWmcZU2J1ssvLokqnzC7gCcaRK4LULgda44G1bKyCf6QHmXWsPPk0a33nfbxnA2EmjlH--x_9AeO8mPDfQxS4iRPU1vnj1rQAY6xaXhbEBmpVxRA-22MJfBMGJZpw==> and 
mentioned in the news release. These could be special tours of 
eco-friendly vineyards, special talks on sustainable winemaking/growing, 
sustainable/organic food and wine pairings at vineyards, sustainable 
winemaker dinners, etc. Please submit information to sharlene at cawg.org 
<mailto:sharlene at cawg.org> by Feb. 18.

* In The News*

*Valley Growers Supply Grapes for New Trend*

California wineries, which have responded to a growing consumer interest 
in sweet white wine, are adding something new to the mix: a sweet red 
wine.  Fresno Bee 
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7wzeipdab&et=1104276014310&s=929&e=001Zzvr7tJRYuLDThOwU9hcM2eWqZGgxghE-iccUBSROyFUGC2NM3uvC5aTeU511X7pUUOD9KGz_8cXNOSqDj_7WAHB-dSlnts2jbuq2iklN16RSIOh2k87pgpoHPJqBYw1J2SVKBpxkqtJfGshA96DGOH6mXT1duYyNh7cJumztmpbpSdPk9Tb7Fjclcgl_nUQ54tIYr6CKts=>

*Delta Water Overseer wants to Reinforce Farm Water Conservation*
A newly appointed Delta water overseer wants to use the state 
constitution to enforce farm water conservation, contending that even 
small improvements could result in big savings. Craig Wilson is 
California's first Delta watermaster, a position created by sweeping 
water reforms lawmakers passed at the end of 2009.  Contra Costa Times 
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7wzeipdab&et=1104276014310&s=929&e=001Zzvr7tJRYuJxSqWkQguNIUN2rj5SbLY-UXvBoV_riK8S8GwLMPjKTAPU6Tu5vL4NW7u9g8OZoYe60T_DjJWQXrdy9MVasM-1MGmD5LIpB2B2Nr2H2UOesPTPXd92Jycsp_cbrGM1-uWps-KIieIbZ3or01i00DT7BR9xeuNxPoas2JAwld94B07w9zNQ_-OW>

*Big Water Forecast Still Falls Short for Valley Farmers*

Federal officials Tuesday forecast nine times more summer irrigation 
water for west Valley farmers than this time last year -- but it's still 
far less than what farmers want.  Fresno Bee 
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7wzeipdab&et=1104276014310&s=929&e=001Zzvr7tJRYuIGz7wa7lDrvlKdQmkmlMNTfm6O3sM4hf8arfj0zJGiwVhDp3xWgDOSdTmEHfoWLsaSKgXU5vb-jM3sq1PKy-i-r4RZ3roLLWFZgJcUsiLFo89Rmi-WkRqCg_YRafPrePJlyumi-qCii8sSPgB0AZtiN4vp01wHo5TTA8Cy8U5XBHd5iB7R-JMt9BZkCRpH2qcT6nTmzKlbvR9jCpryF3Lk>

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