May 2026

California Vine Lines is a bimonthly publication of the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) to offer policymakers a snapshot of what is occurring in the grape-growing and wine industry. Please click on any of the links for more information about the issues highlighted below.  

California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards

Created by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) encourages adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices and communicates the California wine industry’s global leadership through education, outreach, certification, and partnerships.

Winners of the 2026 Awards are:

• St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Napa — Leader Award
• Clif Family Vineyard & Farm, St. Helena — Environment Award
• Ironstone Vineyards, Calaveras County — Community Award
• Hobo Wine Company, Sonoma County — Business Award

“Not only do this year’s winners grow and make exceptional grapes and wine, they do so while preserving natural resources, protecting the environment, enhancing wine quality and enriching the lives of employees and wine country communities.” said Allison Jordan, executive director of CSWA.

Local Food & Wine

Bon Appétit suggests, “reinvesting in local businesses isn’t a noble act, it’s a shared responsibility. Without that reinvestment, the places we love to visit risk losing the very character that draws people in.”

Visit an emerging wine region or its prominent neighboring cities and you’ll find that many of the local restaurants and hotels don’t actually serve local wine. If these businesses are supposed to represent the best of their home turf, why aren’t they?

We Grow Wine

Since the most recent discussion of American wine began earlier this year, the wine industry media have written extensively about it. Below are a few key pieces to read on the issue:

• Is Your American Wine Actually… Made in America?
• Plenty of the choices facing the wine world are hard. Making wines with "American" on the label 100% from US grapes shouldn't be one of them.
• The Question is Who Gets Screwed...Growers or Mammoth Wine Producers?
• Truth in Labeling Bill

Waiting for a Rebound in the Wine Grape Sector

Unfortunately for the wine grape sector — reeling because of diminished alcohol consumption, oversupply, and erratic weather — a majority of growers experienced decreased production in 2025, according to the annual State of the Fruit and Nut Industry survey conducted by American Fruit Grower/Western Fruit Grower.

Will the US Wine Industry ever Recover from the Current Glut?

Wine supplies continue to outstrip demand. Glenn Proctor of Ciatti and Jeff Bitter of Allied Grape Growers return in this podcast to discuss the larger-than-(some)-expected 2025 California grape crush, the path to equilibrium in wine supply, and whether the costs of domestic production and competition from imports mean that every acre of wine grapes pulled out of production will never come back.

About the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG)

Founded in 1974, CAWG stands as the statewide advocate for winegrape growers, representing the interests of California's winegrape industry. Our mission is to foster collaboration and advocate for policies that ensure the continued success of this economically vital industry.

California Association of Winegrape Growers

1121 L Street, Suite 304 • Sacramento, CA 95814 • www.cawg.org

Michael Miiller, Director of Government Relations

michael@cawg.org • (916) 379-8995 or (916) 204-0485