At the annual Leadership Luncheon of the Winegrape Growers of America (WGA), held in Sacramento on January 30, 2019, Jerry Lohr was honored with the third-annual Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award. NGRA is pleased to collaborate with WGA, WineAmerica and the Smith Family to bestow the award, given in the name of the late Rich […]
Projects Underway
2018: A very good vintage
The National Grape Research Alliance did and achieved a lot in the last 12 months. As the year winds down, we thought we’d share a snapshot of how, with the support of our members nationwide, NGRA helped to advance research to support and improve the U.S. grape and wine industry in 2018, and into 2019 […]
November, But Still No Farm Bill
Congress adjourned for the November 6, 2018, mid-term elections without passing a Farm Bill. While it is widely anticipated that they will return after the elections for a lame duck session, it is uncertain whether they will be able to resolve their differences and reauthorize a Farm Bill. Of note are the 39 orphaned programs […]
Portrait of the Perfect Grapevine: Industry Survey of Desirable Traits
If you could grow the perfect grapevine, what would it be or do? What would its fruit be or look like? How would it perform throughout the season, given your climate, soil and labor availability? Essentially, these were the dreams grape and wine industry representatives were asked to entertain when surveyed about the most desirable […]
Call for Nominations: Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award
HONOR A COLLEAGUE AND A LEGEND The late Richard (Rich) Smith of Paraiso Vineyards and Smith Family Wines in the Santa Lucia Highlands of California was first and foremost a family man, and also a successful grape grower, winery owner and respected colleague. Before his passing in 2015, through his significant and selfless contributions of time, energy […]
Excellence in Extension: NVEELC 2018
The 2018 National Viticulture & Enology Extension Leadership Conference (NVEELC) took place May 20-22, hosted by Washington State University (WSU) Viticulture Extension in Prosser–the heart of Washington State wine country. The 50 extension and outreach specialists who attended represented both viticulture and enology, their experience ranged from 30+ years in their post to less than […]
Top 10 Reasons to Attend NVEELC 2018
Research has no impact if it isn’t put into practice. So, NGRA is proud to support the efforts of our colleagues in extension and outreach, including their grassroots-organized National Viticulture & Enology Extension Leadership Conference (NVEELC). This year’s event is less than one month away (May 20-22), and registration closes even sooner (May 4). If you work in […]
An Open Letter: Help Support Grape Genetics Research
To download this letter as a pdf, click here. April 2018 To: U.S. Grape and Wine Industry Stakeholders From: National Grape Research Alliance Dear Colleagues: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) is charged with advancing grape genetics research in the U.S. Through its laboratory facilities in Geneva, NY, and grape variety collections in Geneva […]
NGWI Is Now National Grape Research Alliance
NGWI Changes Its Name to National Grape Research Alliance New Name Emphasizes Mission of the Organization SACRAMENTO, CA, March 30, 2018 – The National Grape & Wine Initiative (NGWI) has officially changed its name, becoming the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA), effective immediately. The National Grape & Wine Initiative began in 2003 as the Winegrower’s Critical […]
NGWI Elects New Board Chair, Tony Stephen; Re-Elects Officers and Board Representatives
SACRAMENTO, CA, January 30, 2018 – The National Grape & Wine Initiative (NGWI) held its Annual Meeting of Members on January 26, 2018, electing a new Chairman of the Board, Tony Stephen, and re-electing seated officers and members at large. New Board Chair Tony Stephen has served on the NGWI Board, representing the American Vineyard […]