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 Is Now National Grape Research Alliance
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 […]
2017 Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award Presented to Wine Industry Legend Pete Downs
SACRAMENTO, CA, January 24, 2018 — The second-annual Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award for major contributions to the American grape and wine industry, and to research, was given to Edgar B. “Pete” Downs, President of the Family Winemakers of California. The award was given in a surprise presentation by the Smith Family at the Board […]
President’s Year-End Wrap-Up: Top Five for 2017
If it’s New Year’s, it’s time for lists celebrating the highlights of the year. For NGWI, 2017 was big, so listing our top accomplishments is a bit daunting. Of course, coming aboard as president in April was the highlight of the year for me. (Many thanks to Wine Business Monthly for including me as one of the “Top […]
NGWI-Supported Trunk Diseases Project Concludes
At the end of November, Dr. Kendra Baumgartner et al. submitted the final report of their NGWI-supported SCRI project, “New detection, research, and extension tools for managing wood-canker diseases of fruit and nut crops,” focusing on grape, almond and pistachio. As they explain in the report, wood-canker diseases are a serious problem in vineyards in the U.S. and […]
Nominations Due by October 20 for the Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award
Richard (Rich) Smith of Paraiso Vineyards and Smith Family Wines in California’s Monterey wine region was first and foremost a family man, and also a successful grape grower, winery owner and respected colleague. Through his significant and selfless contributions of time, energy and funds to organizations that advance the American grape and wine industry, he came to be […]
VitisGen2 Receives SCRI Grant
VitisGen2 has received Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) grant funding, and is set to begin work September 1. An NGWI-supported project, VitisGen was launched to work toward developing new grape cultivars with high fruit quality (FQ) and resistance to powdery mildew (PM). Congratulations—and good luck—to co-PIs Dr. Bruce Reisch, professor of grapevine breeding and genetics […]
NGWI Research Committees Staffed & Starting
Late last year, NGWI refreshed our research focus areas to better reflect current research needs and more tightly align with researchers and funding sources like ARS and NIFA. At the Mid-Year Board Meeting on June 8 in Sacramento, Research Chair Nick Dokoozlian shared the structure for the four Theme Committees, and announced the people who […]
NGWI Welcomes New President, Donnell Brown
Donnell Brown has been hired as the new NGWI President, effective April 3, 2017. Brown succeeds Camron King as President of the organization. Brown has worked within the wine industry since 2009, operating a private consulting firm, Between the Vines, LLC; served as marketing director for Wolffer Estate Vineyard, Sagaponack, NY; and as marketing director […]
NGWI Elects New Officers
In January 2017, NGWI elected new officers, including: Craig Bardwell, National Grape Cooperative, Chair Rick Stark, Sun-Maid Growers of California, Vice Chair Dan Martinez, Martinez Orchards, Secretary/Treasurer John Aguirre, California Association of Winegrape Growers, now serves as Past Chair. Click to see the complete list of board members.