Assembly Bill 720 created a new Estate Tasting Event Permit (Type 93) that allows Type 02 wineries to exercise their tasting room privileges at properties they own or control, whether adjacent to the licensed premises or at non-adjacent vineyard sites. While this new privilege offers wineries...

When it comes to buying or selling land, especially in the wine industry, it's crucial to ensure that property boundaries are clearly defined. One of the most important tools for achieving this is an ALTA/NSPS survey - an industry standard for real estate transactions. Ray Carlson & Associates...

Every vineyard tells a story, but some chapters aren’t easy to read. Hidden beneath the surface—or buried in old records—are secrets that can affect your land’s value, your ability to develop, or even your next harvest. Whether you inherited your vineyard, bought it as-is, or have managed it for...

A draft Napa County Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (RCAAP) has been released for public comment. The draft and related documents can be found at https://climateactionnapa.konveio.com/ Comments are due by September 30, 2025. This draft has been in development for many years, and covers...

The clink of glasses, the warmth of late afternoon sun across the vines—these are the moments that define a winery. But digital marketers can get stuck in the rut of Facebook posts and Instagram stories that have become repetitive and rote. How do you translate the sensory magic of a tasting room...

When it comes to selling vineyard or winery property, it’s not just about location—it's about clarity, compliance, and confidence. That’s where Ray Carlson & Associates comes in. With more than 40 years of experience in surveying and land consulting, Ray Carlson & Associates helps wine industry...

Starting a new vineyard or expanding an existing one is a complex and costly process. Without accurate land data, vineyard development projects can face delays, legal disputes, and unforeseen costs. That’s why land surveys are an essential first step for any vineyard development project. At Ray...

Jeremy Little and Kim Corcoran gave a seminar for Sonoma County Vintners on December 7, 2022, on several topics of upcoming importance for 2023. The seminar was recorded, and the link is below. The topics discussed include: The Expected New Winery Events Ordinance The New Winery Wastewater General...

On, April 5, 2022 the Napa County Board of Supervisors adopted a new “Micro-winery Ordinance”, allowing Napa Valley winegrape growers to produce and sell wine at their family farms. The Ordinance will go into effect May 5, 2022. The Ordinance will amend the Napa County Code to allow farmers to...