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

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]

Episode 24: Pathways to the Vineyard with Enoch Shully & Glass with a Grower, John McCarthy

This episode of Grown in Napa Valley features two conversations highlighting the people and perspectives shaping the future of Napa Valley’s wine industry. In the first segment, Caleb Mosley speaks with Enoch Shully of Napa Valley College [https://www.napavalley.edu/index.html] about his unconventional path from electrical engineering and hospitality to leading wine education programs in Napa. Shully shares how his career in restaurants and wine eventually brought him to California and inspired a passion for creating pathways into the wine industry. At the college, he focuses on expanding education, mentorship, and accessibility, helping prepare students from diverse backgrounds with the technical, hospitality, and marketing skills needed to succeed in the wine world.  In the second segment, Caleb sits down with John McCarthy, Vineyard Director for the Far Niente family of wineries [https://farniente.com/], for the podcast’s “Glass with a Grower” discussion. McCarthy reflects on his journey from growing up in Lake County vineyards to leading vineyard operations in Napa Valley, emphasizing the importance of long-term vineyard stewardship and thoughtful farming practices. The conversation explores the realities of modern grape growing, including market challenges, vineyard development, and the role growers play in connecting consumers to the land. Together, the two discussions highlight how education, collaboration, and sustainable vineyard management will shape the next chapter of Napa Valley agriculture. Support the show [https://www.napagrowers.org/donate]