09/16/20 Napa Valley Vintners Pledges $1 Million to Increase Diversity in the Wine Industry The Napa Valley Vintners is investing more than $1 million in new scholarship and mentorship programs to increase diversity, inclusivity and opportunity in the wine industry - partnering with the United Negro College Fund. NVV committed $200,000 to the fund each year for five years and will begin fundraising to build the fund beyond the initial investment. NVV is also investing more than $100,000 in two mentorship programs created by Wine Unify and Bâtonnage. With the program live and accepting donations, NVV is looking for help augmenting the scholarship fund to build it beyond $1 million.

09/16/20 Destin Charity Wine Auction Goes Virtual for 2020 and Raises $1.35 Million Record-breaking lots and a new virtual format highlighted the 15th annual auction, raising funds for 16 children's charities in the Florida Panhandle

09/16/20 Hurricane Sally slams into Alabama and Florida, and its crawling pace threatens catastrophic flooding With Sally's slow pace -- generally 3 mph -- some areas already have collected more than 15 inches of rain and could receive up to 35 inches by storm's end.

09/16/20 California farmworkers say they didn't get masks during wildfires Even as the state distributed millions of N95 masks, many farmworkers say they didn't receive them during recent wildfires. Few file complaints, fearing employer retaliation.

09/16/20 Video: John Jordan CA winery owner reveals 'the real damage to our economy' amid wildfires The real damage to our economy is the perception that you can't come visit.

09/16/20 After hazy weeks, threat of smoke taint lingers over Napa Valley grape crop The simple threat of smoke taint has been enough to make some in the grape market skittish, according to Glenn Proctor, partner at the bulk wine and grape brokerage firm Ciatti Company.

09/16/20 Sonoma Al Fresco May Be New Model for Tourism-Centric Wine County What began as a pilot program to give Sonoma Plaza-area restaurants a shot in the arm during the tightest days of the business lockdown this summer - allowing restaurants to serve customers on the sidewalk in front of their establishments or in designated areas of Plaza park itself - may be extended through the rest of the year. And maybe into 2021 and beyond.

09/16/20 Taco Bell is now selling its own custom wine, Jalapeño Noir, in Canada Taco Bell is debuting its own custom wine, Jalapeño Noir, to pair with its Toasted Cheesy Chalupa. The tantalizing combination is only available for a limited time in Canada to celebrate the launch of the menu item. The wine, which is being called a collector's item because it has three unique bottle labels, costs $25 Canadian or about $19 US. Fans can buy it on Taco Bell's Canada website or in some locations in Ontario.

09/16/20 Marin County set for California to ease coronavirus restrictions t restaurants, hotels, museums, gyms and many other business types can have limited indoor activities. The county reported this morning it has successfully appealed its designation in purple and has confirmation from the state that it will move to red.

09/16/20 California Winemakers Concerned About Smoke Taint on Grapes, Wine the local NBC station interviews Steve Mirassou ...

09/16/20 Regulators raise water quality fine to $6.4 million for Montage Healdsburg resort State water quality regulators are recommending the developer of the luxury Montage Healdsburg resort pay more than $6.4 million in fines for construction-related environmental violations, representing a $1.5 million increase from the proposed penalty announced in January based on evidence of additional violations of the Clean Water Act.

09/16/20 Every Drop Matters for eco-friendly wine pioneers Banrock Station As part of Banrock Station's introduction of vegan-friendly wines, the producer is rolling out a new campaign to provide consumers with assurance they are purchasing wines that will support vital conservation efforts in Australia.

09/16/20 The Valpo Prophecy Does an often-overlooked red have the potential to be Italy's answer to Burgundy?

09/16/20 Napa Walks the Walk on Diversity The announcement comes after a stormy year for race relations in the US.

09/16/20 Wine Auctions Pivot-Quite Profitably-to the Virtual World How the booming success of remote auctions is transforming the fine wine market

09/16/20 Petrus 1926, Mouton 1945 sold in Zachys Michelin restaurant auction A sale of historic wines and top younger vintages from the cellars of famous Italian restaurant Enoteca Pinchiorri prompted fierce bidding from collectors, auction house Zachys has said.

09/16/20 US loses its shine for German wine producers For years German wines struggled to get respect in the coveted US market. Finally, Germany gained traction - and then came the Trump tariffs and Covid-19. What happened next?

09/16/20 Tributes have been pouring in from the restaurant world for Sir Terence Conran, founder of London institution Bibendum Conran is best known for two restaurants - Bibendum in Chelsea and Quaglino's in St James's. He opened the former in Michelin House on Fulham Road in 1987. The restaurant is currently run by French chef Claude Bosi and holds two Michelin stars.