Wines & Vines

46 practical winery & vineyard March 2015 assessment illustrates the wine indus- try's willingness to shoulder some of the burden. While in the past 15 years the wine grape assessment has raised more than $45 million, the local, state and federal governments have spent nearly $500 million on behalf of the industry to control and contain GWSS. Citrus growers and the nursery indus- tries in California also have played an important role in control and contain- ment efforts. Treatments for GWSS in citrus fields have been critical since it is a major overwintering crop for GWSS. Pre- transport inspections of nursery stock to ensure they are GWSS-free prior to shipping is vital since those plants can provide a means for GWSS movement from infested areas to uninfected areas in the state. Another critical part of the fight against PD and GWSS has been the PD con- trol program managed by the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA). The main goal has been to pro- vide a continuous statewide survey to verify infested regions and to keep a watchful eye for new infestations. Thirty infestations have been discov- ered and dealt with since 2000. The "The PD/GWSS control program is an outstanding example of industry, state and federal cooperation. Absent the PD/GWSS assessment, the federal government would not have provided $19 million in funding for the program last year." —John Aguirre, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers April 2015 Referendum Legislation was passed and signed into law in 2014 reauthorizing the Pierce's Disease Control Program, PD/GWSS Board, PD Advisory Task Force and PD/GWSS Winegrape Assessment for an additional five years. The bill, AB 1642, pro - vides for a referendum by eligible growers on whether to continue the assessment to support research and other activities to target Pierce's disease and GWSS. The CDFA has established the list of wine grape growers eligible to vote on continuing the PD/GWSS wine grape assessment. Eligibility is limited to those producers who paid the assessment on grapes crushed during the 2014 season. The CDFA collects information from processors, producers and others to ensure the list is as complete as possible. Ballots will be mailed March 30 and due back 30 days after mailing. However, the period can be extended to 60 days if necessary. Growers should keep in mind that a ballot will be sent for each separate growing entity. Growers rep - resenting multiple entities will receive multiple ballots — all should be voted and returned. The current referendum expires March 2016. Andy Walker, grape breeder at the University of California, Davis, looks over 10 new PD- resistant wine grape selections in November 2014. The green-growing benchgrafts were planted in July 2014 along the Napa River. These new classically bred varieties are PD-resistant and will be used for varietal wines and blending. WASCO 661-758-4777 PASO ROBLES 805-237-8914 MODESTO 209-523-8036 SANTA ROSA 707-542-5510 Serving the Wine, Table Grape and Raisin Industries Great ideas are only as good as their execution. And Vintage Nurseries innovation has proven itself, over and over again. We listened to our growers who we consider our partners, and responded by doubling our mist propagation system, quadrupling our lighthouse capacity, and installing a new water reclamation system and higher volume shadehouse structure. As always, Vintage also continues to lead the way in technology that combats industry-wide pests and pathogens. Our goal is to keep striving to provide optimum growing conditions and superior quality products for our growing partners. Tat comes through innovation, day after day. It's what we do best, and it's just the beginning for many more exciting innovations to come. www.VintageNurseries.com | 800-499-9019 | Bold Innovation. Vintage Quality NEW SHADEHOUSE FACILITIES UPDATED GREENHOUSE FACILITIES EXPANDED LIGHTHOUSE CAPACITY NEW MIST PROPAGATION FACILITY WATER RECLAMATION SYSTEM G R A P E G R O W I N G

• Cover