Saini Vineyards is a well-established and well-known family business producing premium quality grapes in Healdsburg. We were introduced to Mike who had serious bird problems in past years and was interested in what the Falcon Replica could do and how it would perform. In 2016 he was not having the typical bird pressure that he had experienced in prior years but nevertheless was willing to test the product. We installed a 22ft Falcon on a portable base (umbrella stand) so it could be moved around to be effective against birds and also to move it out of the way when harvest was in progress. The above photo hows one of the main access roads through the vineyard and the location of the falcon on its base at one of the cross roads. The Falcon easily launched in the winds that are present virtually every day in that location and throughout the remainder of the season did not have to be taken down nor did it suffer any damage.Here are some further photos of the installation. Notice how in t

Each Family Has Continuously Farmed Land for More than 100 Years The image of vibrant farms and rugged ranches set among Sonoma County’s beautiful landscapes has long been sought after by tourists, painters and photographers. The sheer beauty has always stood out, but, given that the area’s first vineyards date back to 1812, it is the region’s agrarian roots and family legacy that makes Sonoma County unique. Today, twenty-two local families, all winegrape growers, were recognized as the original members of the “Century Club” in honor of their continuously farming their family’s original land for more than one hundred years. Sonoma County Winegrowers created the Century Club to mark the unique legacies of farm families in the region and it will recognize new families with the honor as they hit the one-hundred-year mark in the years ahead. Each of these farms – and the families behind them – have endured the ups and downs of the cyclical

Viticulturists in California's Central and North Coasts predict a delayed harvest this year due to the cold, rainy spring. This postponement poses a potential threat to the grape crop, leaving it vulnerable to challenges from autumn rains, cooler temperatures, and smoke taint from wildfires.  The delay does, however, provide grape growers with more time to prepare for a persistent challenge to wine grapes – bird damage. The critical moment is after bud break and before veraison when vineyards become prime targets for birds searching for food and a place to roost. "The time to act is when the sugar content begins to rise and attract the birds," asserts Dave Crockett of Kenwood's The Dirt Farmer, vineyard services company. "Once the birds are drawn in, there's nothing you can do to deter them. The key is to prevent them from noticing the ripening grapes in the fields below. With this year's harvest delayed by one to four weeks, there's st

WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries, recently installed new members on its Board of Directors and discussed the outlook in Washington heading into 2023. The annual Fall Retreat, this year held at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, Washington on November 14-15, also included updates on the organization's membership, government affairs activities, and 2022 National Economic Impact Study. "This was an excellent and productive gathering reflective of WineAmerica's continuing evolution," said WineAmerica President Jim Trezise, who served on the organization's Board and Executive Committee for 25 years before becoming President in 2017. "The new Board members bring fresh perspectives and energy to blend with the dedication and experience of longtime Directors." The newly installed Directors, elected by the membership in October, are Michelle Kaufman of the Stoller Wine Group (OR), Edward Matovcik of Constellation Brands (NY, CA, WA),