An old wine industry adage says that during good times, people drink. During bad times, they drink more. Whoever came up with this saying didn't come from Napa Valley.

As assistant to the visionary vintner's spouse and cultural inspiration, Prince worked with Margrit Biever Mondavi to bring music, art and laughter to the landmark midvalley wine operation.

Too much sediment spilled from orchard, regulators say

During the last 20 years in California alone, more than one-half million acres of productive farmland has been converted to non-agricultural uses.

A $1 million gift from Trinchero Family Estates, a family-owned wine company in the Napa Valley, will help the University of California, Davis, build new facilities for a program that provides disease-free rootstock to California nurseries and is of critical importance to the grape and wine industries.

The Napa Chamber of Commerce named Lisa Batto the new president and chief executive officer, replacing Kate King, who retired from her 10-year tenure

GWC is a consortium of official civic and trade organizations representing the great wine regions who believe that regional culture is an integral part of the wine experience.

During the second quarter of 2009 - the last quarter for which information on sales tax revenue is available - winery sales in Napa County actually rose 3.9 percent over the second quarter of 2008.

A new study of existing and planned winery process wastewater disposal in the industrial areas around Napa County Airport recommends Napa Sanitation District keep better tabs on the winery waste stream

Groups rally to show they can protect vines while saving water for fish

The Martin and Wyerich winery in Paso Robles may be sold off at auction if the owner - David Weyrich - doesn't come up with the $20-million he owes the bank by this week.

We need water strategies that respond to the conditions we face today and that will meet the state's need for the coming century.

Veteran wine industry publicist, George Rose, has been hired by J Vineyards & Winery to head up its trade and consumer public relations efforts. The winery is best known for its luxury sparkling wines and Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir estate varietal wines.

So, what is a winery? Over the next three months wine, grape and farm industry leaders, as well as hospitality and tourism interests, will be challenged to balance those interests. We wish them well.

While problem grows, UC Davis plans research cutbacks

A Santa Rosa bankruptcy judge has approved the liquidation of Copia, with a sale now imminent.

On November 5, 2009, the California Legislature passed several landmark water bills characterized by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as "the most comprehensive water infrastructure package … in the history of California."

Jac Cole is known for his work as winemaker at Spring Mountain Vineyard, but two years ago he became known in a much different way.

The United Farm Workers union has won another round in its long-running legal fight to continue representing about 300 Gallo vineyard workers in Sonoma County.

Cal/OSHA is proud to recognize its partnership with growers and their farm labor contractors to ensure the safety and health of California's workers. This new partnership is an innovative approach to improving occupational safety and health in the agricultural industry.