Sonoma growers hear new water, labor policies

Sobering topics at winegrape commission seminar mirror rainy weather
 

The commission’s annual event at Shone Farm, a 365-acre “outdoor learning laboratory” maintained by the agriculture/natural resources department of Santa Rosa Junior College Department, took place amid an unseasonable storm that poured record rains over much of California’s North Coast.

SCWC represents more than 1,800 Sonoma County winegrape growers; a panel of industry authorities and insiders spoke about the most urgent issues affecting them. The subsequent tradeshow was capped off by a barbecue and presentation of the Sonoma County Viticulture Award of Excellence to Dr. Lucia Varela, University of California Cooperative Extension integrated pest management advisor for the North Coast.

Frost ordinance compliance needed
Pete Opatz of Silverado Premium Properties gave a frost ordinance and grower registration update. Opatz reported that Charlie Hoppin, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, had denied a 45-day extension to the Sonoma County frost ordinance. The current regulation, Opatz said, is a problematic sojourn into ground water rights. The deadline to respond to the current regulations is July 5, and growers’ frost protection plans were due June 1.

Opatz cautioned growers: “If we don’t have 100% participation, your water program will not be approved, and it will then be regulated by the state.” He stated that in the event of non-compliance, a state “water master” will shut off all water until it can be proven without a doubt that irrigation plans have no impact on surface water, which can negatively impact fish.

Growers are currently building a “war chest” either to change some of the regulations’ wording or take the matter to court, Opatz said. One of the battles facing Opatz and his colleagues is the right for Sonoma County to report directly to the state, rather than turn the reins over to the distant authority of a state-designated water master. 

Marketing: Building a brand message
Honore Comfort, executive director of Sonoma County Vintners, reported progress on the Sonoma County Brand Essence Project. The project’s goal is to identify the essence of Sonoma County to consumers and trade, coordinating words and images to create a more powerful message. “The brand character should be one that is genuine, independent and adventurous—never precious. We have real dirt on our boots,” Comfort said.

According to Comfort’s research, on average, core U.S. drinkers account for approximately 80% of varietal wine sales over $15. Only one out of 20 purchases are allocated to Sonoma County wines.  Comfort’s goal is to double the Sonoma sales statistic to 10%.

Nick Frey, SCWC president, said, “The time is right for conjunctive labeling to identify our AVA as Sonoma County.” To build a brand with greater impact, he urged creation of an “ag cluster” to include food, wine and agriculture in county marketing efforts.

Frey mentioned that growers and winemakers are being beat up in the press. In order to understand critical attitudes and address them effectively, SCWC is working with Brown Miller Communications of Martinez, Calif., for market research and plan development. In the meantime, Frey encouraged winegrowers to continue to be good neighbors and stewards of the land as a whole. A single misstep, he said, can tarnish the overall reputation and image of growers everywhere.

European grapevine moth: The battle continues
Lisa Correia, division manager for the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner, delivered a status report about the troublesome European grapevine moth (EGVM). Her goals are to get everyone on the same roadmap to eradication of Lobesia botrana and help lift regulations in portions of the county by 2012. EGVM finds within the county have gone down from 21 last year to nine this year to date. Statewide this year there have been 121 finds.

“If your vineyard is within 500 meters of a find, you must treat,” Correia said. Effective treatment protocol includes mating disruption.

The eradication program is intensifying its focus this year on home winemakers with small backyard vineyards and those who transport small lots of grapes across the county. Outreach efforts are targeting these potential spreaders of the pest.

A second focus is on abandoned vineyards. Correia asked attendees to report abandoned vineyards to Shelly Mochizuki, Sonoma County grapevine moth grower liaison at (707) 975-8701. Mochizuki promised caller anonymity and said her role is that of a resource, not one of enforcement. Additional information can be found here.

A meeting to discuss shipping winegrapes out of state is scheduled for June 15 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Santa Rosa Veterans Hall. Grower and winery requirements of crushed grapes, must and grape waste will be covered.

With the imminent approach of stormy weather, Correia closed with a reminder for growers to take erosion protection measures.

Labor law update
Mike Saqui, managing shareholder, The Saqui Law Group of Granite Bay, Calif., delivered an update about agriculture labor law. With summer coming, heat illness compliance is already a hot topic. Employers must provide shade within a 2.5-minute walk of all employees whenever the temperature is expected to reach 85°F. Heat compliance laws require that when temperatures exceed 95°F, high heat procedures kick in. Vineyard managers must personally observe every worker every hour, no matter where in the vineyard they are. Saqui law group also distributed a laminated heat illness compliance checklist in English and Spanish, sized to fit in a shirt pocket.

Saqui echoed Nick Frey’s call to maintain a positive ag industry image. “Don’t let enemies define us,” he stressed. “Nothing is worse than violations or a dead person on the 6 o’clock news.” 

Saqui discussed the importance of using licensed vineyard managers and urged written contracts. “Handshakes are not enough,” Saqui said. Vineyard managers must be monitored to assure compliance with safety regulations.

The attorney also touched on Social Security mismatches and immigration reform. If an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form is incorrect, employers can be fined $100 to $1,000 for each violation, depending on seriousness and prior record. Knowingly hiring an unauthorized worker can result in further fines and sanctions.

Saqui opined that immigration reform is not possible under the current administration and said the controversial e-Verify program could be required by the end of this summer. He added that the program potentially could result in serious labor shortages. Currently, e-Verify is voluntary; Saqui advised growers against using it.
 
On the bright side: Award of Excellence
Dr. Lucia Varela, U.C. Cooperative Extension IPM advisor, received the 2011 Viticulture Award of Excellence from the SCWC as the day drew to a close.

Varela has helped develop pest management programs for pears, apples and winegrapes for the past 20 years. “It’s truly an honor to receive this award recognizing my work and our team at UC Cooperative Extension,” Varela said. “I love working with the farmers in Sonoma County and providing sustainable solutions to their pest problems.”