Episode 28: Reading the Tasting Room with Galen Becker Drace & Glass with a Grower, PJ Alviso

Episode 28: Reading the Tasting Room with Galen Becker Drace & Glass with a Grower, PJ Alviso

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley welcomes Galen Becker Drace, Executive Director of the Napa Valley Hospitality Forum [https://www.nvhf.net/], to talk about what really happens on the tasting room floor. Drace discusses the difference between service and hospitality, the most common (and most memorable) questions guests ask, and how growers can help frontline staff speak confidently about soil, farming practices, and vineyard stewardship when it fits the moment.  He notes that viticulture isn't always the right topic, given how much frontline staff are already reading and juggling with each guest in a short window of time, from wine club details to restaurant recommendations to simply sensing what a guest wants out of the visit. The conversation closes with an invitation for listeners to share the most memorable tasting room questions they've overheard or what they want to know. In the episode's Glass with a Grower segment, Caleb sits down with PJ Alviso, Senior Vice President of Portfolio Operations at Duckhorn Vineyards [https://www.duckhorn.com/], over a 2023 Napa Valley Merlot. Alviso makes the case for why Merlot deserves more recognition, reflects on Duckhorn's fiftieth anniversary and the legacy of founders Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, and shares how the winery is balancing that history with new technology and innovation on the production side. Support the show [https://www.napagrowers.org/donate]

Episode 27: Growing Visibility with Michael Cuffe & Glass with a Grower, Remi Cohen

This episode of Grown in Napa Valley highlights both the business realities and opportunities facing Napa Valley grape growers. In the first segment, Caleb Mosley speaks with Michael Cuffe [https://www.michaelcuffe.com/] of Napa Valley Creative Agency [https://www.napavalleycreativeagency.com/] about a marketing audit program offered through NVG and funded by the Western Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) program [https://westrme.wsu.edu/]. Cuffe discusses how many growers, particularly those who have relied on long-term contracts for decades, now find themselves needing to market their vineyards for the first time. He emphasizes the importance of basic branding tools such as websites, professional photography, storytelling, and social media presence, while encouraging growers to highlight the prestigious wineries and wines their vineyards have supplied over the years. Despite current industry challenges, Cuffe remains optimistic about Napa Valley's future and believes growers who invest in telling their story will be better positioned for long-term success.  In the second segment, Remi Cohen, President and CEO of Domaine Carneros [https://www.domainecarneros.com/], joins Caleb for Glass with a Grower and shares her journey from vineyard-focused viticulturist to winery executive. Cohen reflects on the importance of connecting vineyard practices to consumer storytelling, noting that every grower plays a critical role in promoting Napa Valley wine. The conversation explores Domaine Carneros' history, sparkling wine production, sustainability initiatives, and the challenges of the 2026 growing season, including an unusually early start followed by erratic weather. While acknowledging ongoing market pressures, Cohen encourages growers to remain positive, continue sharing the value of Napa Valley agriculture, and focus on innovation, hospitality, and long-term resilience as the industry adapts to changing conditions. Support the show [https://www.napagrowers.org/donate]

Trellis Talks: Understanding Napa’s Unusual Growing Season with Daniel Swain

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, Executive Director Caleb Mosley sits down with climate scientist Daniel Swain [https://weatherwest.com/about] to discuss the unusual 2026 growing season and what Napa Valley growers should be paying attention to. Swain explains the record-breaking heat experienced in March and April, the complex relationship between climate change and extreme weather events, and why growers are increasingly dealing with both ends of the spectrum: severe drought conditions and periods of excessive rainfall. The conversation also explores topics such as offshore winds, fog, vapor pressure deficit, wildfire risk, and how a warming climate is changing the challenges facing agriculture across California.  The discussion then turns to the developing El Niño [https://wmo.int/media/news/wmo-likelihood-increases-of-el-nino], which Swain believes is highly likely to strengthen through the summer and could become one of the more significant El Niño events on record. He outlines the potential implications for California, including an increased likelihood of a wet winter, possible early-season rainfall events, and greater weather variability throughout the remainder of the year. Swain emphasizes that while climate change presents real risks, it also creates opportunities for California agriculture to rethink water management through groundwater recharge, floodplain restoration, and capturing excess winter runoff. The episode highlights the importance of adaptation, preparedness, and long-term planning as growers navigate an increasingly dynamic and unpredictable climate future.  Support the show [https://www.napagrowers.org/donate]

Episode 26: From Vineyard Rows to Rock Shows with Faith Ventrello & Glass with a Grower, Justin Dragoo

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley explores the intersection of music, wine, and Napa Valley culture through conversations with Faith Ventrello and Justin Dragoo. Faith shares her journey from a career in the music industry at major labels like Capitol [https://www.universalmusic.com/label/capitol-music-group/], Elektra [https://www.elektra.com/], and Virgin Records [https://www.virgin.com/virgin-companies/virgin-records] to building a wine-focused life in Napa Valley. She discusses co-founding Folklore [https://folklore-napa.com/], a downtown Napa wine bar and record store that has become a community gathering space blending live music, vinyl culture, food, and wine. The conversation highlights how music and wine naturally complement one another and how Napa’s evolving cultural scene has embraced both.  Later in the episode, Justin reflects on his transition from the tech world in New York City back to Napa Valley, where he joined Gargiulo Vineyards [https://www.gargiulovineyards.com/] and helped grow the family winery business rooted in Oakville farming traditions. He also shares the story behind the evolution of BottleRock Napa Valley [https://www.bottlerocknapavalley.com/] and explains how the festival successfully combines world-class music, wine, and culinary experiences to attract a new generation of Napa Valley visitors. Justin emphasizes the strong parallels between the wine and music industries, from storytelling and authenticity to creating immersive experiences that connect people to place, culture, and community.  Support the show [https://www.napagrowers.org/donate]

Episode 25: Statewide Advocacy, the Napa Perspective with Natalie Collins and John Chandler & Glass with a Grower, Lise Asimont

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, NVG [https://www.napagrowers.org/#gsc.tab=0]Executive Director Caleb Mosley speaks with Natalie Collins and John Chandler about the role of the California Association of Winegrape Growers [https://cawg.org/] in advocating for growers across the state. They discuss how regional and statewide grower organizations collaborate to address major industry challenges, including market pressures, labor policy, and regulatory issues. The conversation highlights current legislative priorities such as improving wine labeling transparency, expanding opportunities for wineries at farmers markets, and pursuing an agricultural overtime tax credit to help offset labor costs for growers. Despite limited resources, CAWG continues to push proactive policies and unite diverse wine regions to strengthen the future of California winegrape farming.  In the episode’s Glass with a Grower segment, Caleb sits down with Lise Asimont of Foley Family Farms [https://www.ffws.com/] to share stories from her career in California agriculture and the wine industry. The conversation offers a candid look at the people behind the vineyards, blending humor, insight, and a fresh perspective on wine culture. Asimont emphasizes that wine should remain approachable and joyful, reminding listeners that the best experiences with wine come from sharing it with others.  Support the show [https://www.napagrowers.org/donate]