Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/197178
DEBORAH PARKER WONG Labor Crunch Early responses to the California Farm Bureau Federation's 2013 agricultural workforce survey point to labor shortages in excess of 30% and far more unmet demand for labor than in previous years. With the 2013 wine grape harvest beginning two weeks earlier than normal in California, at a time when the table grape harvest is peaking and berry crops are still in full swing, labor shortages were undeniable. According to Nat DiBuduo, president of Allied Grape Growers in Fresno, competition for seasonal employees is stiff as workers follow the highest-paying jobs. He cited instances of strawberry growers hiring vineyard workers, only to have raspberry growers step in and offer those workers higher wages. From all accounts, the money follows the most perishable crops. "There's no question that wages are escalating and growers are stretching out the timing of their harvests," DiBuduo said. "They are not getting as much fruit on the market as fast as they would like." this year in Lodi. "From where I'm standing, the labor situation is insane," he said. "We've seen it dwindle to levels that are almost frightening." Lerner had to prioritize vineyard work during the growing season, which meant that some tasks, such as shoot thinning, were a lower priority. Shortcuts in the vineyard may be a short-term solution for growers who need to stretch resources, but they don't bode well for California's wine quality over time. DiBuduo noted that winegrowers in Suisun Valley, Lodi, Fresno and the North Coast struggled to control powdery mildew when worker-deficit delays in leaf pulling prevented timely applica- NEWS FLASH OSU to Expand Fermentation Science Program Lawmakers approved $1.2 million for Oregon State University (OSU) to enhance the Agricultural Experiment Station's fermentation sciences program. The funding will support OSU research in the production of high-value wine, beer, cheese, breads and distilled spirits, as well as help establish a research distillery. PA Reports Record Revenue According to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, revenues at fine wine and spirits stores reached $2.17 billion in fiscal year 2012-2013, a $93 million or 4.5% increase over the previous year. Retail wine sales showed the strongest growth with a 6% increase. Siduri Begins Gluten Testing Siduri Wines in Santa Rosa, Calif., has begun gluten testing on its pinot noirs. This information is accessible through wine notes posted on the Siduri website that are linked via QR code from the bottle labels, allowing consumers to review ingredients, winemaking processes and more. For more industry news briefs, visit the News Flash page on V&WM's website: http://www.vwmmedia.com/magazine/web-exclusive1.asp. CORRECTIONS Lodi grapegrower Kyle Lerner says the labor situation this year has been "insane." Photo: Deborah Parker Wong Fifth-generation Lodi grower Kyle Lerner was pressing chardonnay when he gave Vineyard & Winery Management an account of the challenges he faced w w w. v w m m e d i a.com In the story "Super Sparklers," published in our Sept/Oct issue, it was stated that Barbara Frank attended UC Davis. It should also have been noted that she earned a master's degree in enology from California State University, Fresno. On page 13 of our Sept/Oct issue, in the News in Focus item "Credit Window Opening," the QE bond amount should have been $85 billion per month, not $85 million. N ov - D ec 2013 | V INE YA RD & W INE RY M A N A G EM EN T 13