Paso Robles, Calif.) – After submitting a Sustainable Agriculture Action Plan and application, the Paso Robles CAB Collective (PRCC) has been awarded a grant in the amount of $14,988 from Western Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) and its host institution, Montana State University. The announcement of the award on October 5, 2022 included a declaration of confidence in the PRCC based on experience, past efforts, and creativity of its proposal to SARE’s expert panel.
Grant funds will allow the PRCC the opportunity to identify specific and urgent needs for research and education through the Sustainable Agriculture Action Plan to maintain their unique wine industry and the community at large, according to PRCC Executive Director Linda Sanpei.
“This project seeks to identify research and education needs specific to the Paso Robles cabernet sauvignon and red Bordeaux wine grape growing industry,” Sanpei said. “We want to ensure those in our industry can adapt to the challenges of climate change, sustain the industry’s economic benefit to the local community, and continue to produce world-class quality wines.”
The Paso Robles CAB Collective (PRCC) is a 501(c)6 nonprofit agricultural producer group with 24 independent producer-members and over 50 wine industry sponsors. For the past decade, the PRCC has dedicated its work to promoting and marketing wines made from the cabernet sauvignon and red Bordeaux (CAB) wine grapes grown by its members and ancillary wine grape growers in the region. With the effects of climate change threatening the growing conditions of these grapes, the PRCC has been looking at ways to help support the sustainability of its wine-producing members.
“Wine is among the most sensitive and nuanced agricultural products and is highly sensitive to climate change,” Sanpei explained. “Variations in temperature, water for irrigation, frost, pests, and other climate implications pose a significant threat to the grapes and wine industry of Paso Robles.”
Letters of support and encouragement for undertaking this project have been received from PRCC members, the local community, and regional and state bodies. With its proven track record of experience, knowledge, and expertise, PRCC has the organizational capacity to develop a plan which identifies the urgent needs of sustaining both an industry and a region by making necessary adaptations to changing climatic conditions.
During the project timeframe, from late 2022 through the first quarter of 2023, PRCC will explore these needs and use this valuable report to look for further grant opportunities and partnerships to conduct research, regulatory changes, infrastructure, education, and training. PRCC members and stakeholders will be asked to participate in an online survey to identify high-priority needs for the Paso Robles area as well as sustainability issues related to growing cabernet and red Bordeaux grapes, with a focus on climate change challenges.
“From the information gained through this survey, a workshop agenda will be formed, with members and stakeholders invited to attend this workshop in early February,” Sanpei said.
The workshop will be facilitated by Sanpei, Francine Errico, and PRCC Board member and Robert Hall Winery Managing Director Caine Thompson. Further exploration into how research, regulatory changes, area infrastructure, education, and training are required to increase the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices will also be presented.
Follow-up consultation and input will be obtained from experts at the Cal Poly department of Wine and Viticulture, The Wine Institute, California Wine Grape Growers Association, and Paso Robles City Council. In addition, PRCC will conduct a review of the State of the Wine Industry Report produced by Silicon Valley Bank for industry-wide and specific area statistics and market information.
“The PRCC will use the findings of this report to apply for future climate change related grants through the USDA and CDFA, and build research partnerships,” Sanpei said. The PRCC is a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the full potential of the Paso Robles AVA in producing superior-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and red Bordeaux varietal wines. The distinguished members of the Paso Robles CAB Collective are: Allegretto Vineyards & Wines, Ancient Peaks Winery, Brecon Estate, Calcareous Vineyard, Cass Vineyard & Winery, Castoro Cellars, Chateau Margene, DAOU Vineyards & Winery, Eberle Winery, Glunz Family Winery & Cellars, Hearst Ranch Winery,High Camp Wines,Hope Family Wines, J. Lohr Vineyard & Wines,JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, LXV Wine, Niner Wine Estates, Opolo Vineyards, Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery, Riboli Family Wines, Robert Hall Winery, SixMileBridge, The Farm Winery, and Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery.
The sponsors of the Paso Robles CAB Collective are: Title Sponsor Hood Container, Grapevine Capital, Filipponi & Thompson Drilling, Somm Foundation, and The Somm Journal and The Tasting Panel Magazine; Agrovin, Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Bank of Sierra, Boneso Brothers Construction, Borjon Auto Center, The Bottle Meister, Cork Supply, Enartis, Farm Credit West, Fiji Water, Glenn Burdette, Paso Robles CA, Saver Glass, Saxco International, TriCorBraun, World Cooperage; Demptos Napa Cooperage, ETS Laboratories, Encore Glass, H&A Barrel Management, Martinez Farming, Patricia Diane Vineyards, Sanitary Stainless Welding, Seguin Moreau, Tonnellerie Sylvain, Tastry, Tonnellerie Ô, Umpqua Bank, Vintrace, Vinventions, Wine Direct, Wine Shipping; Amcor, AMORIM Cork, Cal Coast Irrigation, G3, IGGPRA, JB Dewar, Lafitte Cork & Capsule, Longcrier & Associates, MASilvaUSA, Miller Family, Moss Adams, PRT, Peltier Glassworks, Vineyard Professional Services, and Wonderful Nurseries.
ABOUT THE PASO ROBLES CAB COLLECTIVE: Formed in 2012, the Paso Robles CAB (Cabernet and Bordeaux) Collective (PRCC) is an independent collaborative effort of leading Paso Robles growers and producers of Cabernet and red Bordeaux varietals specific to the Paso Robles AVA in California. The PRCC strives to promote to trade, media and consumers the full potential of the Paso Robles region in producing superior quality, classic and age-worthy Cabernet and red Bordeaux varietals that compete on a global stage. For more information, please visit pasoroblescab.com.
