The Crush - September 2020 - 4

[ WILDFIRES & SMOKE EXPOSURE ]

Smoke Exposure Resources

PROTOCOLS, VIDEO, FAQs AND WEBINARS AVAILABLE ONLINE

WEST COAST

SMOKE EXPOSURE

TASK FORCE
Resource Documents, Videos

RMA's Wildfire Crop Insurance FAQs

* Grape Sampling Protocol for Growers and Microfermentation Protocol: The task force developed these two
documents to assist growers and winemakers with grape
samples for lab analysis or micro-fermentation.

USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently released
FAQs on wildfires and smoke exposure, which broadens the
acceptable testing requirements for crop claims.
rma.usda.gov/en/News-Room/Frequently-Asked-Questions/Wildfires

* Video: Dr. Anita Oberholster, UC Cooperative Extension
specialist in enology, created a step-by-step video
demonstrating how to do a small-scale fermentation for
the evaluation of smoke exposure in grapes. She processes
10 pounds of grapes (~3.3L of juice) through the microfermentation protocol.

The RMA states, "Lab tests must be performed by an
independent lab, accredited lab, or other credible source
(e.g., winery lab with the resources to perform such a test).
Documentation must indicate the location of the field, the
results of the test (may be attached), the lab name, and any
accreditations that would indicate the lab/chemist was qualified
to perform the appropriate test, such as by the Alcohol and
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau."

* FAQs: The UC Davis Viticulture and Enology Department
released FAQs regarding smoke exposed fruit (vineyard,
testing, risk assessment, contracts and crop insurance). The
FAQ document is hosted in Google docs and will be updated
as new questions arise.
cawg.org (resources tab / wildfire and smoke exposure)

This new directive comes after a strong push from Pan American
Insurance - with support from CAWG - for the RMA to provide
clarity and guidance to crop insurance carriers regarding testing
requirements.
Insurance carriers will do everything they can to work with
growers through the claim process and provide the proper
guidance to ensure no steps are missed. When in doubt, contact
your adjuster immediately for clarification.
Please reach out to your crop insurance agent, your adjuster or to
Pan American Insurance Services with any questions.

Webinars for CAWG Members
* Wildfire and Smoke Exposure Events: Addressed risks to
winegrape quality, winegrape contracts, crop insurance and
worker safety relative to wildfire and smoke exposure events.
* Wildfire and Smoke Exposure - Employee Safety: Addressed
employee safety measures to take during a wildfire or smoke
exposure event.
cawg.org (resources tab / wildfire and smoke exposure)

4 / SEPTEMBER 2020

Greg Merrill / greg.merrill@relationinsurance.com
Kristine Fox / kristine.fox@relationinsurance.com
James Dillon / james.dillion@relationinsurance.com
CAWG is proud of its longstanding relationship with Pan American
Insurance Services and greatly appreciates their service to CAWG
growers and the winegrape industry.

https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/News-Room/Frequently-Asked-Questions/Wildfires https://www.cawg.org/Wine1/Resources/Wildfire_and_Smoke_Exposure/Shared_Content/Resources/Wildfire_Smoke/Wildfire_and_Smoke_Exposure.aspx?hkey=335deb02-29b3-468f-8d5b-d6f5a9dda250 https://www.cawg.org/Wine1/Resources/Wildfire_and_Smoke_Exposure/Shared_Content/Resources/Wildfire_Smoke/Wildfire_and_Smoke_Exposure.aspx?hkey=335deb02-29b3-468f-8d5b-d6f5a9dda250

The Crush - September 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Crush - September 2020