Attorney Brandon Blevans, Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty, addressed immigration reform and stepped up requirements for worker status. "Currently, we play a little game," he said. New regulations may be implemented at any time, he said, wishing his audience, "Good Luck."

Robert Fanucci, grapegrower and partner at Gagen, McCoy, moderated "A Conversation with California Grape Growers & Buyers," that included grape buyers Bill Wilden, Constellation Wines U.S. and Mike Insley, Beam Wine Estates; Nat DiBuduo, Allied Grape Growers, Jeff Frey, Frey Farming; and Tom Murphy, Murphy Companies.

Attorney Wyman Smith, Gaw Van Male, spoke on "Grape Contract Strategies," outlining considerations for both sides of the bargaining table. In deciding among pricing mechanisms, he stressed that growers "must have a mechanism to allow pricing to move with the market."

Mike Insley, VP vineyard operations and grower relations for Beam Wine Estates, commented that he was "staggered to see how much imported wine was out there" when he arrived in the United States from New Zealand.

Steve Fredricks of Turrentine Brokerage said, "The trend of excess is hard for people to get away from," suggesting that the industry has been "making battle plans for the future based on looking in the rearview mirror."

Accountant Mike Ricioli, Moss Adams, LLP, explained the differences between "Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures and Tax Reporting," and when each is appropriate, with his colleague Sandy O'Shea.

Jeff Frey, owner of Frey Farming, sounded the call for socially resposible, sustainable practices.

If we don't do something…we will be back here next year to talk about a shortage," David Freed warned growers and financial folk at the 2007 Vineyard Economics Seminar in Napa on May 15. Freed, chairman of UCC Vineyards Group, reviewed results of the 2007 Vineyard Economics Survey conducted by winebusiness.com. Grapegrowers, wineries and allied parties around the United States responded to the survey, addressing wine sales trends, factors that drive and constrain them, consumer attitudes toward wine, changing wine preferences, grape price trends and supplies.

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