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w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m M a y - J u n e 2 016 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 1 3 New research presented during the Regional IPM Center's webinar in February provided insight regarding vineyard pests that are a likely vector to transmit red blotch associated virus (GRBaV). UC Davis and USDA-ARS researchers Dr. Brian Bahder, Dr. Mysore "Sudhi" Sudarshana and Dr. Frank Zalom reported their discovery of the three-cornered alfalfa treehopper (ATH; sci- entific name Spissistilus festinus) as the culprit. This discovery is the first confirmation of a pos- New Research Finds Possible Red Blotch Associated Virus Culprit sible vector for GRBaV. According to Zalom, the project has spanned 2.5 years (more for Sudar- shana) in close collaboration with UCCE farm advisors Lucia Varela, Rhonda Smith and Lynn Wunderlich as well as Mike Anderson of the UC Davis Oakville Research Station. In their experiments, they selected four can- didate groups: one treehopper (20 insects), two leafhoppers (70 insects), one jumping plant lice (10 insects) and one plant hopper (10 insects). Insects were allowed to feed on virus-infected grapevines and released individually onto virus- free grapevines. At a five-month test under greenhouse conditions, three of the 15 plants exposed to three-cornered alfalfa treehoppers (ATH) became positive for GRBaV. Insects from other groups did not show any transmission, although some acquired GRBaV in their system when they fed on infected vines. Researchers are now actively investigating other insects as NVV Raises $5M with Barrel Auction Demand for micro-lot Napa Valley wines resulted in a $5 million fundraising total for the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) Premiere Napa Valley barrel tasting and auction on Feb. 20. It was the third-highest amount raised in the event's 20-year history. Of the 226 lots sold, 199 were from the 2014 harvest, the third in a string of some of Napa Valley's most critically acclaimed vintages. California Winegrape Crush Down The 2015 California grape crush totaled 3,867,710 tons, down 7% from the 2014 crush, according to the National Agricultural Sta- tistics Service in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Red wine varieties represented the lion's share of all grapes crushed at 2,040,781 tons, down 5% from 2014. The 2015 white wine variety crush totaled 1,663,790 tons, down 5% from 2014. VPS Hires Jon Winstead, Promotes Linnea Norton Vineyard Professional Services, Inc., (VPS), a vineyard manage- ment company serving the Paso Robles wine industry, has hired Jon Winstead as a vineyard manager and promoted Linnea Norton to the newly created role of viticulture logistics manager. Previously, Winstead managed E. & J. Gallo Winery's Central Coast vineyards. Norton has worked with VPS for more than 10 years, most recently as a vineyard manager. Nicholas Ferrante Inducted into Hall of Fame Nicolas Ferrante from the Ferrante Winery and Ristorante in Geneva, Ohio, has been inducted into the Ohio Wine Hall of Fame. Ferrante is a third-generation winemaker from a family that has been selling wine since the 1930s. He's regarded as a leader in the production of cool climate varietals, including the Signature Series of premium, estate-grown, Grand River Valley wines. " 1- BY JULIE FADDA POWERS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The three-cornered alfalfa treehopper has been identified as a possible vector to transmit red blotch associated virus among grapevines. (Photo by Steven Severinghaus via flickr.com) L to R: Dr. Mysore "Sudhi" Sudarshana, Dr. Brian Bahder and Dr. Frank Zalom presented their findings in February 2016. NEWS FLASH For more industry news briefs, visit the News Flash page on V&WM's website: http://www.vwmmedia.com/magazine/web-exclusive1.asp.