Author: SuperUser Account
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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CAWG has developed a new sponsorship menu and media kit for 2012 which details the many opportunities available to members. A wide array of opportunities, allows businesses to target key audiences, increase brand awareness and heighten exposure for products and services.
Click here for more information. [Read More...]
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 [Read More...]
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: Four-year Scholarship RecipientsTucker Marsano, Mission College Preparatory, San Luis ObispoHugo Luna, Esparto High School, EspartoTwo-year Scholarship RecipientsLaura Arechiga, Kelseyville High School, KelseyvilleErnesto Gutierrez, Delta High School, ClarksburgJose Lua, Santa Maria High School, Santa MariaJhosselyn Vargas, Parlier High School, ParlierOne-time, Special Award RecipientSalvador Jimenez, Lompoc High School, LompocSusan Berban of Allan Hancock College is this year’s recipient of the Robert N. Miller Scholarship, awarded exclusively to Central Coast students who plan to
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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.” "Honestly, this has become ridiculous, the wine growers of the U.S. deserve a timely response and over two years is not timely," said Vicky Scharlau, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers, "these labeling issues must be resolved to
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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
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