Napa Valley Winegrowers Pledge $2.5M to Fight Red Blotch Virus
Napa Valley, Calif. – October 06, 2026 -- Winegrowers and wineries have pledged $2.5 million to launch Phase One of the Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Research Initiative, a public-private collaboration targeting one of the wine industry's most costly unresolved vineyard threats.
Industry leaders back coordinated three-year research push
The initiative has drawn commitments from Christian Mouiex/Dominus Estate, Darioush Winery, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Joe Wender and Ann Colgin, Louis P. Ciminelli/Laelius Winegrowing, Opus One Winery, Phillips Family Farming/Vine Hill Ranch, Tom Gamble/Gamble Estates, Pete Richmond/Silverado Farming Company, and The Araujo Family. Phase One is structured as a three-year program funding multiple projects at research institutions, with defined milestones tracking progress from lab discovery to vineyard application.