Business View Magazine - Sept 2023

69 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 9 Natalie Collins, the esteemed President of CAWG, offers a deeper insight into the association’s core. “The California Association of Wine Grape Growers was started by growers who saw a need for a statewide voice on behalf of the entire winegrape industry,” she recalls. CAWG’s focus has always been razor-sharp, concentrating on state, federal, and regulatory work that directly impacts winegrape growers. With a strategic presence in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C., the association ensures that the voice of the growers resonates at every level of governance. Who exactly are these growers that CAWG represents? “We represent winegrape growers,” Collins elaborates. “Our membership is voluntary, and our fee schedule is based on a per-acre fee.” With over 615,000 acres of wine grapes in California, CAWG proudly represents approximately half of that vast expanse. But the association’s reach extends beyond just the growers. “We also have associate members,” Collins adds, “which include industry support members such as bankers, insurance companies, wineries, vineyard supply companies, and trucking.” Advocacy and Adaptation: CAWG’s Forward-Thinking Approach Collins emphasizes the multifaceted objectives of CAWG. “Advocacy, anything impacting our grower and their operation, is paramount,” she states. “Sustainability is not just about how they manage and care for the land, but also ensuring that they are sustainable for the next generation.” This involves a keen focus on labor, water, and the integration of new technologies that bolster efficiency. Collins adds, “A lot of focus is around how our growers can adapt to the ever-changing climate here. If you think of anything that might affect a winegrape grower’s operation, we have a hand in on the regulatory and advocacy side of things.” The association’s commitment to advocacy is evident in its robust infrastructure. While it maintains a federal lobbying team in Washington, D.C., its state-level efforts are equally formidable. “We have a director of state government affairs on our team,” Collins reveals. “He has more than 30 years of experience in the California State Capitol. Aside from him leading the charge, we also have a dedicated, full lobbying team in Sacramento.” On the state legislative front, CAWG has been proactive. “This year we sponsored Senate Bill 659,” Collins shares. The bill, focusing on groundwater storage, aims to capture abundant rainfall for future use, especially during droughts—a frequent challenge in California. The bill has garnered widespread support, emphasizing the importance of water for California’s crops. Transitioning to federal initiatives, Collins highlights two significant bills endorsed by CAWG. Introduced by Senator Alex Padilla and Congressman Mike Thompson, both of California, these legislations address the challenges posed by wildfires. “The Smoke Exposure Research Act,” Collins explains, “would authorize a total of $32.5 million over five years to research the impacts of smoke on wine grapes.” Another bill, the “Crop Insurance for Wine Grapes Act,” aims to provide better insurance protection for wingrape growers affected by wildfires. CAL I FORNIA ASSOCIAT ION OF WINEGRAPE GROWERS (CAWG) Natalie Collins