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California Ag News…Paso Robles Wine Industry 2014 Events

Paso Robles CAB Collective

Revved Up and Ready for 2014 CABs of Distinction

The Paso Robles CAB Collective (PRCC) recently announced TODAY dates, venues and new format for its second annual CABs of Distinction event.

After the success of the inaugural CABs of Distinction event (launched last year to celebrate and promote Cabernet Sauvignon and red Bordeaux wines produced in Paso Robles, California) and the increased momentum from Paso Robles being named Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, the PRCC has geared up for even more exciting events in 2014.

Set for April 22 through 26, 2014, CABs of Distinction events will take place in locations across the Paso Robles AVA with enhanced sommelier, media, trade and consumer experiences.

Sommelier Events

The first-ever CAB CAMP is a three-day, all-inclusive opportunity for 20 sommeliers and key buyers to go in-depth with the Paso Robles AVA.

•   Tuesday, April 22: Vineyard and winery tours of PRCC member properties, a winery-hosted lunch at Vina Robles, and a tasting and dinner at DAOU Vineyard & Winery.

•   Wednesday, April 23: Vineyard and winery tours, a winery-hosted lunch at ADELAIDA Cellars, and an En Primeur tasting at the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom with barrel tastings from the as-yet-unreleased 2013 vintage, followed by winery-hosted dinners across the Paso Robles AVA.

•   Thursday, April 24: A vintner panel discussion, opportunities for lunch with PRCC member wineries and a library/rare and reserve tasting will be followed by a barbecue at JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery.

Media & Trade Events

•   Wednesday, April 23: En Primeur tasting at the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom with barrel tastings from the as-yet-unreleased 2013 vintage, followed by winery-hosted dinners across the Paso Robles AVA.

•   Thursday, April 24: A vintner panel discussion, opportunities for lunch with PRCC members throughout Paso Robles and a Library/Rare and Reserve tasting at the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom, followed by a barbecue at JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery.

•   Friday, April 25: PRCC members will be hosting various events throughout the day. This is an open day for self-directed vineyard tours. Wineries will also be hosting winemaker dinners at wineries and in Paso Robles’ most sought-after restaurants.

Consumer Events

•   Friday, April 25: PRCC members will be hosting various events throughout the day. This is an open day for self-directed vineyard tours. Wineries will also be hosting winemaker dinners at wineries and in Paso Robles’ most sought-after restaurants.

•   Saturday, April 26: The CABs of Distinction Gala will be held at River Oaks Hot Springs in Paso Robles and will include tastings of PRCC member wines paired with artisanal cheese and Charcuterie chosen by Fromager Zina Miakinkova. Decadent catered lunches will be provided by notable Paso Robles restaurants and caterers (Robert’s Restaurant, Crush Catering and Avant-Garde Experience) and will be served in the CAB Bistro; chocolate tastings, live music, a barrel-making demonstration and glass etching will also be included.

Luxury VIP tickets are available to attend an exclusive panel discussion, enjoy a multi-course gourmet lunch provided by Thomas Hill Organics and continuous access to the VIP Lounge where desserts and drinks will be available throughout the day. Premium-Reserve VIP tickets are available for entry to an Early Access tasting as well as access to the VIP Lounge throughout the day.

Steve Heimoff of Wine Enthusiast, who moderated the inaugural event had this to say about Paso Robles’ Cabernet, “No disrespect to Napa, but it never made much sense to me that one region, and one only, could excel at a particular varietal, in this case Cabernet Sauvignon…and [I] am ready to declare for Paso Robles Cabernet.” Heimoff was echoed in sentiment by Santa Barbara Independent’s Matt Kettmann, who titled a review of the inaugural event as this: “Resetting Radar on Paso Cab: New Collective Reminds Region, World of Roots, Future.”

Tickets for the CABs of Distinction event can be purchased at www.PasoRoblesCab.com. The web site now includes member winery details and contact information, trade tools, and the PRCC blog for extended member features, harvest reports and other news.

Members of the PRCC to date include ADELAIDA Cellars, Ancient Peaks Winery, B & E Vineyard, Calcareous Vineyard, Chateau Margene, DAOU Vineyards & Winery, Eberle Winery, HammerSky Vineyards, Hunt Cellars, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jada Vineyard, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, L’Aventure, Le Vigne Winery, Parrish Family Vineyards, Record Family Wines, Robert Hall Winery, Sextant Wines, and Vina Robles.

ABOUT THE PASO ROBLES CAB COLLECTIVE

Formed in 2012, the Paso Robles CAB (Cabernet and Bordeaux) Collective (PRCC) is an independent collaborative effort of leading Paso Robles growers and producers of Cabernet and Bordeaux varietals specific to the Paso Robles AVA in California. The PRCC strives to promote the full potential of the Paso Robles region in producing superior quality, classic and age-worthy Cabernet and Bordeaux varietals that compete with like varietals on a global stage to consumers and media worldwide. For more information, please visit www.PasoRoblesCAB.com.

2016-05-31T19:41:17-07:00January 9th, 2014|

FDA CREATES LIST OF U.S. MILK EXPORTERS TO CHINA

FDA Establishes List of Approved U.S. Milk Exporters to China 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced yesterday that it is establishing a list of U.S. milk product manufacturers and processors interested in exporting milk products to China.  FDA is taking this step to help U.S. manufacturers comply with new requirements of the Chinese government for the importation of milk products into China.  China has advised that milk products (a category which, in this case, does not include raw milk) from firms not on the list could be prevented from entering commerce in China.

To be considered for the list, which is voluntary, firms cannot be subject to any pending judicial enforcement action or a pending FDA warning letter, and would need to have had one of the following:

  • FDA inspection within 3 years
  • Inclusion on the Interstate Milk Shippers List (IMS list)
  • Inclusion on the U.S. Department of Agriculture list, Dairy Plants Surveyed and Approved for USDA Grading Service (“USDA list”)


FDA will update the list quarterly andwhenever a firm is removed from the list due to a pending judicial enforcement action, or a pending warning letter. FDA intends to notify the firm of FDA’s findings and, as appropriate, FDA’s intent to remove the firm from the FDA list.   FDA will also post the list to its website and provide the list directly to the Chinese government, which may post some or all of the information contained in the list on its own website.


In December of each even-numbered year, FDA intends to send a letter to manufacturers that are on the list, requesting that they update the information initially provided and indicate whether they wish to continue being listed.


Firms may apply to be on the list beginning January 7, 2014.  The first posting of the list and notification to China will occur on or about April 30, 2014.

2016-05-31T19:41:17-07:00January 8th, 2014|

USDA HOSTS 2014 AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK FORUM IN FEBRUARY

USDA Announces Speakers for the 2014 Agricultural Outlook Forum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) TODAY announced speakers for the 2014 Agricultural Outlook Forum, “The Changing Face of Agriculture,” to be held from Feb. 20-21 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, VA.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will moderate two general session panels on the Future of Agriculture. Among the speakers, panelists are Cathy Burns, President of the Produce Marketing Association; Michael O’Gorman, Executive Director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition; Greg Wegis, who operates a 17,600-acre vegetable and nut farm in California; Joseph Glauber, USDA’s Chief Economist; Michael Froman, U.S. Trade Representative; and Dr. Roger Clemens – Chief Scientific Officer for ETHorn and Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences at USC, Los Angeles, CA. There will also be 95 experts in breakout sessions.

USDA’s first release of preliminary data from the new Census of Agriculture will occur at the Forum; panelists will cover the latest information on land tenure and demographic and production trends.

USDA has hosted the Agricultural Outlook Forum since 1923 to provide farmers and ranchers, government, and agribusinesses with sound information for decision-making. Attendees are expected to include members of farm organizations, food and fiber firms, academia, foreign governments, and the news media.

2016-05-31T19:41:17-07:00January 8th, 2014|

HOW ZERO WATER WILL HURT LATINO FARM EMPLOYEES

Editor’s Note: Below are exclusive audio reports on how Latino Farm Employees would be hurt due to a possible zero water allocation in Federal Water Districts. It could mean the end of what they have been striving for—the American Dream. 

We want to thank the good folks at Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers for sponsoring this series.
PART 1 — How Latino farm employees suffer with low water allocations. In this report Maria Hernandez, of Los Gatos Tomatoes, Huron; Hortencia Solario, Harris-Wolf Farms almond processing near Huron; and Jesus Cuevas, with Woolf Farming in Huron share the frustration of fish being more important than humans.

Photo is of Hortencia Solario





PART 2 — Farm workers’ children are often college educated. This extraordinary fact is a testament that they want to achieve the American Dream, which could all be dashed with zero water deliveries in 2014. This report features Jesus Cuevas, Woolf Farming; Maria Hernandez, Los Gatos Tomatoes; and Hortencia Solariowith Harris-Woolf Farms. All farming operations are in Western Fresno County and will be severely impacted due to reduced or zero water deliveries.

Photo is of Maria Hernandez





PART 3 — There is real fear that the loss of water in 2014 will harm the livelihoods of Latino farm employee families throughout California’s Central Valley. In this report you will hear from Jesus Cuevas, who oversees processing tomatoes for Woolf Farming, based in Huron; Stuart Woolf, president of Woolf Farming; and Hortencia Solario, who works for Harris-Woolf Farms, an almond processor.

Photo is of Jesus Cuevas





 PART 4 — Zero water deliveries will cause an unstable economic future and devastate communities. Plus, hear Juan Guadian’s opinion on how humans are more important than fish. 




PART 5 — If zero water allocation shifts farming to other countries, there will be food safety issues. This report features Guillermo Gutierrez, a ranch foreman with Hammonds Ranch near Firebaugh in Western Fresno County; and Jesus Cuevas, who heads up tomato production for Woolf Farming in Huron, also in Western Fresno County.

Photo is of Guillermo Gutierrez




 
PART 6 — A flawed biological opinion is causing 1000’s of Latinos to be laid off work. This report features Raul Enriques, who manages permanent crops for Harris Farms, and William Bourdeau, Executive Vice President of Harris Farms, based in Coalinga, Calif.

Photo is of Raul Enriques

PART 7 — Esmael Reyes works for Harris Farms near Coalinga in Western Fresno County. He came to the Central Valley by way of Texas in 1966 when he was 8 years old. As the irrigation foreman for Harris Farms, Reyes knows all too well the effect of not having enough water for crops. Reyes also comments on how zero water can cause food insecurity.



 

PART 8 –The Westside will receive severely reduced water allocations for the foreseeable future, which will lead to food lines and devastated communities. This report features: William Bourdeau, Executive Vice President of Harris Farms near Coalinga;  Shawn Coburn a diversified farmer near Firebaugh; and Jesus Cuevas who oversees the cannery tomato acreage for Woolf Farming near Huron.

Photo is of Shawn Coburn

2016-05-31T19:41:17-07:00January 7th, 2014|

Better Yeast Strains For Wine Being Developed

Renaissance Bioscience Has License For Hydrogen Sulfide-Preventing Yeast Technology

Renaissance BioScience Corp. is pleased to announce TODAY that it has exclusively licensed, from the Regents of the University of California, patented and patent pending technology for the development and commercialization of yeast strains that reduce the formation of hydrogen sulfide in wine and other fermented products.

This proprietary novel technology, invented by Dr. Linda Bisson of the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), has undergone five years of commercial field testing and adoption with wineries in the USA and Europe to perfect the commercial yeast strains that are now being made available to the global wine industry as Renaissance brands for 2014 onward.  Renaissance Yeast Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Renaissance BioScience Corp., will be responsible for additional strain development, sales, marketing, and technical support of the commercial wine yeast strains.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) is a colorless volatile gas that produces a distinctive unpleasant odor in wine, beer and other fermented beverages. H2S is one the most commonly occurring sensory defects experienced in wine and beer production, and creates significant costs for industry. As well as creating costs for the wine and beer manufacturer, H2S has been shown to mask or reduce the positive sensory attributes of wine and beer.

The commercial yeast strains developed over the past five years, based on the UC Davis technology and created with classical selective breeding techniques, not only prevent the formation of H2S, but also have normalsulfur dioxide (SO2) production qualities.  These attributes make the Renaissance Yeast strains an ideal tool for the quality winemaker.

“The University of California, Davis and Dr. Linda Bisson, are recognized as world leaders in wine research.  Renaissance BioScience is proud to be associated with such a renowned technology group,” said Dr. John Husnik, CEO of Renaissance BioScience. He added, “The collaboration between UC Davis and Renaissance BioScience has an opportunity to revolutionize the effect of yeast on wine quality and the economics of wine production, opening up the sensory attributes of the wine by removing the sensory masking effect caused by H2S formation, as well as eliminating costly H2S remediation and protection techniques for the winemaker.”

The launch of the Renaissance H2S preventing wine yeasts in the USA will occur at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, January 28 – 30, 2014 in Sacramento, CA.

About Renaissance BioScience Corp. and Renaissance Yeast Inc.

Renaissance BioScience is a technology company based in Vancouver, Canada that develops platform technologies for yeast, to solve industrial and health problems that occur naturally in food and beverage industries.  Renaissance Yeast Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renaissance BioScience Corp. and is responsible for the global commercialization of the H2S preventing yeast technology exclusively licensed from UC Davis.

2016-05-31T19:41:17-07:00January 7th, 2014|

Wine Industry Losses A Valiant Leader!

Leo Trentadue

Wine Industry Vintner and Patriarch Passes

Geyserville, CA: On Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, at the age of 88, Sonoma County vintner and World War II Veteran Leo Trentadue passed away of respiratory heart failure.

Born on July 30, 1925, in Cupertino, California, Leo was raised on his family’s apricot ranch. Always the humble farmer, Leo Trentadue is best known as the wine patriarch of Trentadue Winery in Alexander Valley of Sonoma County. He was a devoted family man, and his passing will be deeply felt by all who knew and appreciated Leo’s brave and magnanimous spirit.

In 1959, Leo and his wife Evelyn Trentadue decided to leave their Santa Clara County roots, and headed north. They settled on their 150-acre ranch of plum trees, and 60 acres of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignan vines. Today, those original vines are still producing excellent fruit, three generations later, on this 225 acre Alexander Valley estate.

Leo Trentadue is also known and appreciated as a celebrated war hero. Leo was awarded both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his World War II participation. At the age of 19, Leo was drafted by the U.S. Army. Shortly thereafter he boarded the S.S. Mauritania, bound for Liverpool. From Liverpool, he was put onto another boat for Cherbourg, west of Omaha Beach. It took his troop three days—without food—to cross the Channel. This was August of 1944, and where he stayed for two months at the front line.

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When Leo Trentadue celebrated his 79th birthday in 2004, it was with a trip to the verdant forests of northern France, exactly 60 years later. Taken with his wife Evelyn and son Victor, according to his earlier accounts, “This is where I was nearly put into the earth by German bullets . . . several times. I might have done well in a casino, in those days. You could certainly have called me ‘Lucky.’ But of all the times I should have been killed, I was most lucky when a bullet went through my left bicep. Had I turned the other way, it would surely have gone through my heart!”

Leo had particularly fond memories of this trip. Quoting earlier recounts, “Everyone says that the French hate Americans, and I will admit that some Parisians may be a little curt. But as soon as we got out into the country, especially where the fighting was all those years ago, we were treated like royalty. People came up to us, saying, ‘If it hadn’t been for you, we’d be speaking German today.’ There were as many as four memorials each day. At Blamont, where I was wounded, we attended a special ceremony. They feted us with food and wine at every event. The red wines were much lighter than ours, and you could drink them almost like beer. What really surprised me was that there were still concrete World War I bunkers—my father had served in the US Army at Verdun, not too far from where I was wounded—that looked like they had been in use yesterday.”

Had that been the case, wine country would have had to forego the excellent, justly famed “Geyserville” Zinfandels; not only from Trentadue, but also from Ridge Vineyards. Together, it was they who initially put those wines on the map.

The deceased is survived by his wife Evelyn Trentadue, son Victor Trentadue, daughters Annette Trentadue, and Leanne Allen. Daughter-in-law Cindy Trentadue. Son-in-law Gary Allen. Grandchildren are the following: Steven and Tyler Trentadue (Victor Trentadue’s children), Crystal Kovanda (husband is Andrew Kovanda), and twins Brittany and Tiffany Allen.

Preceded in death is Annette Trentadue’s daughter Nicole Biagi, who passed away several years ago.

2016-05-31T19:41:17-07:00January 7th, 2014|

USDA PROVIDES ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS TO FOOD BANKS

USDA Purchased Crops for Needy Families and Urges Farm Bill Passage

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack TODAY announced the USDA’S intent to purchase up to $126.4 million worth of fruit and vegetable products, to be distributed to needy families under The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

“Food distribution programs are a vital part of our Nation’s nutrition safety net, and today’s food purchases will give communities additional means to help those in need,” Vilsack said. “A comprehensive Farm Bill is absolutely critical to these efforts, and Congress should adequately support feeding programs for American families by passing a new Farm Bill as soon as possible.”

The USDA purchase is part of the surplus removal program that helps stabilize prices in agricultural commodity markets by balancing supply and demand, while providing healthy food to soup kitchens, food pantries, and community action agencies across the country.

USDA’s purchases will include tart cherries, processed apples, cranberries, fresh tomatoes, wild blueberries, and raisins, and expand efforts to provide high-quality, wholesome, domestically produced foods.

A recent analysis found that TEFAP foods achieved a score 89 out of 100 on the Health Eating Index, a measure of diet quality based on the Federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

2016-05-31T19:41:18-07:00January 6th, 2014|

LIMITING LEGAL EXPOSURE IN RECALLS Webinar

United Fresh Webinar Series: Strategies for Limiting Your Legal Exposure in Recalls


United Fresh members and the produce industry are invited to register for this webinar, hosted by the United Fresh Grower-Shipper Board. The “Strategies for Limiting Your Legal Exposure in Recalls” webinar on Thursday, January 16, 2014 from 2 pm to 3 pm US/Eastern, will help produce companies understand the legal consequences from foodborne illness outbreaks and recall events and identify strategies to avoid staggering financial losses and criminal charges in the future. The webinar is part of United’s group of Recall Ready programs and services.


In this timely one-hour webinar, attorneys David Durkin and Danny Gurwitz examine the scope of America’s food safety laws, review real-world case studies showing successful legal strategies, and address the most critical civil and criminal liability issues facing fresh produce companies today.


David Durkin is a principal at Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC.  Mr. Durkin’s practice concentrates on federal civil and criminal litigation and administrative proceedings, including court challenges to FDA, USDA, and DEA regulatory and enforcement initiatives.


Danny Gurwitz is a partner at Atlas Hall, and represented Frontera Produce in litigation concerning the recall of contaminated Rocky Ford cantaloupes in 2011. Mr. Gurwitz has litigated products liability claims; food borne contamination; insurance coverage disputes, and many other types of cases.


Registration is complimentary for United Fresh members and $50 for non-members, and includes one connection to the web and one reserved phone telephone line for the audio portion. 

2016-05-31T19:41:18-07:00January 6th, 2014|

USDA PROPOSES SALMONELLA GUIDELINE FOR HOG SLAUGHTER FACILITIES

USDA Invites Comments on Salmonella Best Practices Guideline for Hog Slaughter Facilities

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued TODAY a Notice of Availability and Opportunity for Comments on its Compliance Guideline for Controlling Salmonella in hog slaughter facilities.


The guidance provides information on best practices that may be applied at a hog slaughter facility to prevent, eliminate, or reduce levels of Salmonella on hogs at all stages of slaughter and dressing. This guideline will help hog slaughter establishments better comply with the relevant regulatory requirements.


FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this notice until March 7, 2014.

2016-05-31T19:42:22-07:00January 6th, 2014|

FDA WILL AGAIN REVISE FSMA LANGUAGE

FDA Revises Key Provisions of

Proposed FSMA Affecting Farmers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced TODAY that they will propose revised rule language and open another comment period on two Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules, Produce Safety and Preventive Controls for Human Food. FDA anticipates rule language to be published by early summer 2014 to be followed by a public comment period.
The changes encompass key provisions associated with water quality standards and testing, standards for using raw manure and compost, certain requirements affecting mixed-used facilities, and procedures for withdrawing the qualified exemption for certain farms. Additional revisions may follow FDA’s initial review of the over 25,000 comments received on these two proposed food safety rules.

“Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM) is a strong advocate of food safety for both consumers and producers. It’s absolutely critical that the rules are written right to begin with.” said Secretary Chuck Ross. “We will closely examine the revised proposed rules from FDA to ensure that this second round best fits the community-based, diversified agriculture that is so essential to Vermont and New England.”

FSMA remains the most sweeping reform of our nation’s food safety laws in more than 70 years and was signed into law by President Obama on January 4, 2011. FSMA aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.

The Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce rule, published January 2013, proposes enforceable safety standards for the production and harvesting of produce on farms.

The Current Good Manufacturing Practices and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, published January 2013, would require makers of food to be sold in the United States, whether produced at a foreign- or domestic-based facility, to develop a formal plan for preventing food products from causing foodborne illness.

2016-05-31T19:42:22-07:00January 6th, 2014|

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