Should a pesticide contain a toxic chemical?

To some readers the question posed in the title of this blog might seem silly, of course there has to be something toxic in a pesticide or it wouldn’t be a pesticide.  However, some readers are going to answer with a ‘No’. The other day I received via email a pamphlet created by a company [...]

Fair Trade Lodi Wine?

The other day I saw a press release from Sam’s Club touting the introduction of a certified Fair Trade Wine to its stores.  The wine is from Argentina.  The subheading was ‘Noble Malbec Reaps Awards and Sows Seeds of Change’.  It stated that ‘workers participating in Fair Trade Certified programs are guaranteed a fair price [...]

These grapes were grown using no chemicals

If there is one thing that drives me up the wall it is when I see signs at the farmers market signs that read ‘No chemicals’ or read ads about wines made from grapes which were grown using no chemicals.  It drives me crazy because it is indicative of several important and serious issues.  First, it reveals [...]

To certify for not to certify?

Yesterday I attended a meeting at the Wine Institute in San Francisco where a committee of very talented people, from both the wine making and grape growing sides of the industry, gathered to continue their development of a certification program to be used by the industry to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.  It is an [...]

Lodi Wine Country Launches Blog

In an attempt to keep pace with the ever changing world of wine and winegrowing the Lodi Winegrape Commission is establishing a blog.  The Commission is invovled in so many things and blogging will be a great way to get the word out on some of them.  Many issues will be dealt with in this [...]