Team C&J
Here’s what happened in the last week in wine. Italian wine company Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi acquires Oregon’s Domaine Roy & Fils, marking its entry into the US market. Wine club memberships provide financial relief for restaurants and wine shops during the pandemic and continue to attract customers. Italy’s wine industry faces challenges from downy mildew and high wine stocks. In Sonoma County, a vineyard settles with former workers over labor violations. Oregon wineries adapt to wildfires, while researchers explore using marine microbes to protect grapevines from climate change. Latina winemaker Vanessa Robledo launches her brand, Vintner’s Diary. California prepares for a new bottle bill redemption requirement. The wine world mourns the loss of Marquis Alexandre de Lur Saluces, a significant figure in Sauternes and Bordeaux’s wine industry.
Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Acquires Oregon’s Domaine Roy & Fils | Wine Spectator
Italian wine company Marchesi Frescobaldi has acquired Domaine Roy & Fils, a winery in Oregon’s Dundee Hills, for an undisclosed price. This marks Marchesi Frescobaldi’s first foray into the US wine market. The purchase comes with the ultimate goal of producing wines in the US for national and international sales. Domaine Roy & Fils, founded in 2012, has a strong track record in crafting quality Pinot Noir. Marc-André Roy will retain minority ownership and continue on the board, while Jared Etzel will remain the winemaker. The deal took six months of negotiations, and the purchase closed on July 20. This acquisition expands Marchesi Frescobaldi’s holdings beyond Italy, where they have already made several acquisitions in recent years.
Wine Club Membership Has Its Privileges
During the pandemic, restaurants with closed dining rooms had to get creative with ways to engage with customers. Those who had existing wine programs found some financial relief by offering wine club memberships. Restaurants aren’t the only ones benefitting from this revenue boost. Wine shops are also curating tiered wine membership programs to introduce their customers to wine regions they may not otherwise explore. While the lockdowns are over, membership has stayed steady and, in some cases, increased as these clubs continue to attract wine lovers who are eager to continue expanding their palates.
Twin Threat for Italian Wine | Wine-Searcher News & Features
Italy’s wine industry is facing a double challenge: the downy mildew caused by heavy rains that leads to significant harvest drops in various regions, and 10-year high in wine stocks that requires policies to prioritize quality over volume. Lamberto Frescobaldi suggests rationalizing supply and distribution for quality-driven wines, highlighting the need for structural reorganization. These challenges call for careful planning and action in the Italian wine sector.
How Workers Took on a Sonoma County Vineyard Company Over Abuses — and Won | KQED
Mauritson Farms Inc. in Sonoma County, California, has reached a settlement with the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) to pay $328,077 to 21 former workers. The settlement is the largest monetary settlement the ALRB has reached at its Santa Rosa office. The former workers were part of a crew that organized and spoke out against unsafe working conditions in the vineyards at the end of the 2021 growing season. In retaliation, the farm did not rehire them for the 2022 season, violating California labor regulations. The settlement represents what the workers lost by missing the 2022 growing season. The case highlights the challenges faced by H-2A visa workers and the need for better enforcement of labor standards in the agricultural industry.
How Oregon wineries are adapting to wildfires – Axios Portland
As wildfires in Oregon become more destructive due to climate change, winemakers are adjusting their harvesting and processing techniques for smoke-tainted grapes. Oregon is the country’s third-largest wine producer, and wildfires can have a significant impact on the state’s wine industry. Smoke taint can affect the taste of grapes, and winemakers are exploring short-term adaptations such as using Pinot Noir grapes for white wines or rosés. However, in the long term, they may need to change how they plant crops to adapt to rising temperatures caused by climate change. Some winemakers are also taking steps to reduce the wine industry’s contribution to climate change by investing in lighter bottles, sustainable corks, and sourcing repurposed glass locally.
The microbes that could protect grapevines from climate change – BBC Future
Researchers in Portugal are exploring the use of marine microbes to help grapevines adapt to extreme weather events like heatwaves caused by climate change. In a lab experiment, grapevines treated with a special cocktail of bacteria from Spanish salt marshes fared well during a simulated heatwave, showing little signs of heat stress compared to untreated vines. The idea is that plants in harsh environments like salt marshes must cope with tough conditions, and their associated microbes may have protective effects on other plants. This research could provide winemakers with a potential solution to safeguard their grape crops from the impacts of climate change.
Storied Latina Winemaker Vanessa Robledo Releases Her Debut Wine
Vanessa Robledo, a wine industry veteran with 25 years of experience, has launched her own wine brand called Vintner’s Diary, and the inaugural release is a 2022 Rosé of Grenache from Napa Valley. The brand not only offers wine but also serves as an educational tool to make wine less intimidating to consumers. The launch of the brand is a family affair: Vanessa’s daughter, Jocelyn, has produced videos for the website to help wine consumer education, and Vanessa’s mother, Maria de la Luz, has crafted accompanying recipes to pair with the wines.
Nickels and Dimes: Wine Industry Prepares for California’s New Bottle Bill Redemption Requirement
California’s new bottle bill redemption requirement, SB 1013, is set to have a significant impact on the wine industry. Starting January 1, 2024, wineries will be required to report and pay monthly fees based on their container production. By July 1, 2025, all wine containers must display mandated labeling packaging showing a California Redemption Value (CRV) code. The bill aims to increase the recycling rate to 80%, with wine and spirits containers being added to the Beverage Container Recycling Program. The legislation also tightens regulations on retailer redemption, making it illegal for retailers to refuse the acceptance of returnable CRV containers. Large glass manufacturers are expected to have increased access to cleaner, more recyclable glass.
Farewell to a Giant of Sauternes | Wine-Searcher News & Features
Marquis Alexandre de Lur Saluces, a significant figure in the history of Sauternes and Bordeaux’s wine industry, has passed away. He took over Château d’Yquem after his uncle’s death in 1968 and managed it for 36 years, maintaining its position as a premier wine estate. Alexandre modernized and expanded the cellars and vineyards, increasing annual production while upholding quality. He was known for his uncompromising approach to wine quality, with rigorous selection and low yields. Despite his opposition, part of Yquem was sold to LVMH in 1996, and he managed it until his forced retirement in 2004. After retirement, Alexandre focused on Château de Fargues, enlarging the vineyards and producing high-quality wines there as well. Alexandre was praised for his generosity, principles, and dedication to Bordeaux and its wines. He leaves behind a significant legacy.
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