In a new study published February 21, 2012 ahead of print in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory, University of California, Davis and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service revealed a new transgenic approach to blocking infection by Xylella Fastidiosa (Xf), the insidious bacteria that can cause major harm to commercially important California crops such as grapes, citrus and almonds.
The strain of Xf that impacts grapevines is deadly Pierce’s Disease, which chokes the vine by blocking the xylem, the water-conducting tissue in the …

 
It’s said that fruit-driven Vintage Ports reflect the vintage conditions and aged Tawnys reflect the Port House style which is a complex blend of wines from different vintages.  The House style can be drier than sweeter, or fruity vs. complex.  It is up to the winemaker to determine how to achieve the House style using a mix of grapes and vineyard locations, a range of vat sizes, a vast inventory of existing blends and vintage wines, and a blending philosophy.
Graham’s House style, for example, is rich and sweet, while Warre’s …

One doesn’t need to drive far up Spring Mountain from Main Street Saint Helena before they reach a hidden property with beautiful formal gardens, majestic redwoods and bluebirds flying above. With its palatial Victorian home, Miravalle, one can imagine that the vast 845-acre estate looks very much like it did in the 19th century. Its earliest vineyards date back to 1873, while the Beringer Brothers planted their first vines there in 1882.
In such a natural setting adjacent to protected Napa Land Trust …

There are many diseases and pests that threaten the vine including bacteria such as xylella fastidiosa which kills vines, or viruses such as leafroll or fanleaf which lower yields, delay ripening and reduce longevity of vines.  Viruses are usually avoided by using plant materials which have been ‘sanitized’ or by eliminating the vectors which spread them, but the fact is, many winegrowers live with virused vines.  Grapevine pests are a great economic threat because they damage the crop itself.  Pests include deer, boar, birds and insects like moths.  They not only eat the …

In the Napa Valley, consumers will often ask why the vineyards are on the valley floor vs. the hillsides.  There are a lot of benefits to planting on hillsides such as better drainage of rainfall, which checks the vigor of vines, and sun exposure.  In fact, even in Napa Valley’s early history, the value of planting on slopes was appreciated.  In Illustrations of Napa County published in 1877, George W. Gift, an editor of the Napa Valley  Reporter, wrote:  “Hillside exposures, facing the morning and mid-day sun, are preferred…the gravelly thin lands produce the grapes from which …

Ageing of wine in wood adds complexity to wine and is influenced by the type of wood used, its origin, how it was cured, age of wood,  length of ageing and  size of container.  Another important element in the winemaker’s recipe book is the toasting level.  Toasting of wood in new barrels is done at the time the barrel is made, when the staves are being shaped over an oak fire.  Toasting can enhance or create flavors from the breakdown of carbohydrate, phenolic or fatty compounds in wood, resulting in aromas such as spice, nutty, espresso, vanilla and coconut.  There …