The Commonwealth of Virginia is full of history—American and wine—where in 1619 the House of Burgesses created “Acte 12” requiring colonists to plant vineyards. What a civilized law! Virginia is also home to our nation’s oldest grape, Norton, which is still grown and transformed into big blockbuster reds. Then there was Thomas Jefferson, whose love … Read more

This is going to be an unusual December, and a nice one for Michael Kaiser, our Executive Vice President and Director of Government Affairs. In most years, Congress delays the budget process until the very end of the month, meaning that lobbyists like Michael have to stay in touch and do what they can amidst … Read more

A year ago I had the pleasure of speaking at VitiNord, a great conference focused on cold climate grapes held in Burlington, Vermont. “Cold is Cool, and Small is Big” was my theme, touting the great wines that can come from cold-hardy Minnesota varieties as well as the combined economic impact of the many states … Read more

Shutdown Postponed A few days before the November 17 deadline, the House passed a two-step Continuing Resolution that was accepted by the Senate and signed by the President, averting a government shutdown while establishing new deadlines of late January and early February to adopt a new budget—or go through the same fire drill again. That’s … Read more

WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries, installed three new Directors on its 17-member Board during its Fall Retreat in Traverse City, Michigan on November 14. The three new Directors are Kelly Bostock of Dos Cabezas WineWorks in Arizona; Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles, California; and Dave Kostelnik of Early Mountain Vineyards in Virginia. They were elected by a vote of WineAmerica’s membership … Read more