Family Winemakers

Family Winemakers Family Winemakers of California is an “organization that reflects the small producer's point of view.”

06/05/2026

Did you recently purchase plants from Costco?

Plants sold at Costco locations throughout California may have been infested with Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS), an invasive pest that can spread Pierce’s Disease—a bacterial infection that can be devastating to grapevines and other agricultural crops.

In this video, FWC Board Member Roy Onetto from Foley Family Wine Company and FWC Vice President Lise Asimont, owner of Dot Wine, share why this issue matters and what consumers can do to help protect California agriculture.

If Costco contacted you regarding a plant purchase, please contact your County Agricultural Commissioner for guidance. We also encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter and remain vigilant for information and alerts in your community.

Protecting California’s vineyards starts with awareness. Please help us spread the word.

Family Winemakers
California Wine
Glassy Winged Sharpshooter
Pierces Disease
Winegrapes
California Agriculture
Protect California Wine
Costco Plants

Do you know someone’s who purchased plants at Costco recently? If so, please call them to check their purchase wasn’t infected.

06/05/2026

Did you recently purchase plants from Costco?

Plants sold at Costco locations throughout California may have been infested with Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS), an invasive pest that can spread Pierce’s Disease—a bacterial infection that can be devastating to grapevines and other agricultural crops.

In this video, FWC Board Member Roy Onetto from Foley Wine Company and FWC Vice President Lise Asimont, owner of Dot Wine, share why this issue matters and what consumers can do to help protect California agriculture.

If Costco contacted you regarding a plant purchase, please contact your County Agricultural Commissioner for guidance. We also encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter and remain vigilant for information and alerts in your community.

Protecting California’s vineyards starts with awareness. Please help us spread the word.

Family Winemakers
California Wine
Glassy Winged Sharpshooter
Pierces Disease
Winegrapes
California Agriculture
Protect California Wine
Costco Plants

Do you know someone’s who purchased plants at Costco recently? If so, please call them to check their purchase wasn’t infected.

🚨 Grower & Gardener Alert 🚨California agricultural officials are urging consumers to check any grapevines, citrus trees,...
05/30/2026

🚨 Grower & Gardener Alert 🚨

California agricultural officials are urging consumers to check any grapevines, citrus trees, or other fruit-bearing plants purchased from Costco between April 21 and May 26, 2026, after shipments from a Fresno County nursery were found to contain the invasive Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS).

GWSS is one of the primary vectors of Pierce's Disease, a bacterial infection that can be fatal to grapevines and poses a significant threat to California's wine industry. There is currently no cure.

Affected plants were distributed to Costco locations throughout Northern California, including Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Placer, Stanislaus, and Yuba counties.

Officials are working with Costco to locate potentially affected plants and contact purchasers directly. In Napa County alone, 157 grapevines sold through Costco remain unaccounted for, highlighting the importance of locating and inspecting any potentially affected plants.

If you purchased grapevines, citrus trees, or other fruit-bearing plants from Costco between April 21 and May 26:

• Do not move or dispose of the plant
• Keep it isolated if possible
• Contact your local County Agricultural Commissioner's Office for inspection guidance

Early detection is critical to protecting California vineyards, wineries, backyard grape growers, and agricultural communities.


Photo courtesy of

05/27/2026

Big News! 📣

Late yesterday, AB 1585 officially passed the California State Assembly with unanimous bipartisan support in a 67-0 vote and is now advancing to the Senate.

This common-sense legislation would require wines labeled “American” and sold or bottled in California to be made with 100% American-grown grapes — bringing greater transparency to consumers and helping protect the integrity of American wine.

Right now, wines labeled “American” can legally contain up to 25% foreign-grown grapes. AB 1585 changes that.

This is a major win for California growers, family wineries, vineyard workers, and consumers who deserve honest labeling and transparency about what’s in the bottle.

Thank you to Assemblymembers Damon Connolly and Rhodesia Ransom, the California Association of Winegrape Growers, Family Winemakers of California, and the hundreds of industry members who helped move this legislation forward.

The momentum continues as AB 1585 heads to the Senate next month.

TEMECULA VALLEY WINE | FAMILY WINEMAKERS OF CALIFORNIATemecula Valley wine is continuing to gain recognition, driven by ...
05/25/2026

TEMECULA VALLEY WINE | FAMILY WINEMAKERS OF CALIFORNIA

Temecula Valley wine is continuing to gain recognition, driven by independent, family-owned wineries that are shaping the future of Southern California wine. As part of the Family Winemakers of California community, these producers are focused on quality, identity, and long-term growth—building something meaningful, not just scalable.

At Cougar Vineyard & Winery, the focus on Italian varietals like Sangiovese and Nebbiolo sets them apart, bringing an Old World approach into a growing California wine region. Doffo Wines leans into bold, structured reds, producing wines with depth and intensity that reflect both the terroir and the family’s hands-on winemaking style. Wiens Cellars has built its reputation around powerful red wines, staying committed to a clear vision that resonates with wine lovers seeking richness and consistency.

Temecula Valley continues to evolve as a California wine destination, and family-owned wineries are at the center of that momentum—defining what the region can become.

Photo of Cougar Vineyard & Winery and Weins Cellars, courtesy of Visit Temecula

Family Winery Spotlight:For Inspiration Vineyards & Winery in Santa Rosa, wine has been part of the family story for gen...
05/21/2026

Family Winery Spotlight:

For Inspiration Vineyards & Winery in Santa Rosa, wine has been part of the family story for generations.

Jon’s great-grandparents farmed vineyards in San Martin in the early 1900s, and decades later, that connection to California wine country inspired Jon’s own path from tasting room hospitality at Mirassou Winery to building Inspiration Vineyards from the ground up.

What began in 1999 with a single barrel of Contra Costa Zinfandel has grown into a respected Sonoma County urban winery focused on approachable, food-friendly wines crafted with passion and purpose. Inspiration Vineyards reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of California family wineries — hands-on, resilient, deeply personal, and rooted in community.

We also want to recognize Jon for his many years of service and leadership with Family Winemakers of California, including serving as Chairman of the Board and as a longtime member of the Executive Committee. His dedication to supporting independent family wineries across California has made a meaningful impact on our industry, and we are grateful for his continued efforts and support.

Photo of Jon, courtesy of Inspiration Vineyards.


Inspiration Vineyards and Winery

IMPORTANT RECYCLING DEADLINE FOR ALL WINERIES — MAY 31California’s new SB 54 recycling and packaging regulations are now...
05/20/2026

IMPORTANT RECYCLING DEADLINE FOR ALL WINERIES — MAY 31

California’s new SB 54 recycling and packaging regulations are now in effect, and wineries must take action by May 31, 2026.

Depending on your business, this may include:
• Registering with the Circular Action Alliance (CAA)
• Registering independently with CalRecycle
• Or applying for a Small Producer Exemption

One important clarification we are hearing often:
Even if your winery already participates in the Bottle Bill (CRV) program, SB 54 may still apply to your secondary packaging materials like cardboard cases, boxes, and pallet wrap.

There is also a Small Producer Exemption available for wineries with less than $1 million in annual California gross sales, but you still must apply before the deadline.

This is the kind of important industry information, compliance guidance, and regulatory updates we work hard to gather and share with our members.

We invite you to join Family Winemakers of California and stay informed on the issues impacting California wineries and growers.

Link in bio.

MENDOCINO COUNTY WINE | SUSTAINABLE FAMILY WINEMAKINGMendocino County wine is rooted in sustainability, stewardship, and...
05/18/2026

MENDOCINO COUNTY WINE | SUSTAINABLE FAMILY WINEMAKING

Mendocino County wine is rooted in sustainability, stewardship, and family ownership—values that align closely with the mission of Family Winemakers of California. This is a region where organic farming, small production, and long-term land management are not trends, but standard practice.

Navarro Vineyards has long been a leader in Anderson Valley wine, producing estate-grown Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer with a focus on balance and varietal expression. Cesar Toxqui Cellars represents the next generation of small-lot winemaking, bringing cultural heritage and craftsmanship into every bottle. Premonition Cellars focuses on limited-production wines that highlight vineyard character and thoughtful sourcing across Northern California.

Mendocino County continues to stand out for its commitment to sustainable winegrowing, where family wineries invest in the land with a long-term vision for quality and preservation.

Photos of Navarro Vineyards, courtesy of Navarro Vineyards.

05/16/2026

Most wineries have registered with CalRecycle for the CRV program and think they are good to go with the new regulations that went into effect on May 1st.

Not the case.

These new EPR regulations require action now from ALL wineries.

Even if you are exempt, you must file an exemption.

All wineries must take action before May 31 to avoid hefty fines.

Link in bio for helpful information.

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PO BOX 99
Windsor, CA
95492

Website

https://www.familywinemakers.us/

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