Bulk Wine Sales to Estate Distilleries Approved by Nevada Lawmakers

May 31, 2019

A new Nevada law will permit estate distilleries to purchase bulk alcohol products from the state’s wineries or craft brewers, for the purpose of distilling or blending. Winemakers are weighing whether the new law creates a good business opportunity.

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Volunteers Needed to Revive University’s Valley Road Vineyard

April 30, 2019

The Desert Farming Initiative at UNR has put out a call for volunteers to help replant the north vineyard at its Valley Road property in Reno. Volunteers will help replace one acre of nine-year old Chardonnay that struggled and failed with other grape varieties that have done well on the Valley Road property, primarily Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

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Vegas Valley Winery, Twin Mustang Vineyard Grab Top Honors at Expanded Vines & Wines Competition

April 30, 2019

A bid by Nevada Vines & Wines to enhance its annual winemaker competition played out on Thursday, with 132 attendees at a show that featured comedy sketches, mock commercials by winemakers, and dozens of award-winning wines.

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Engine 8 Hits the Fast Track After a Long, Uphill Chug

April 28, 2019

Engine 8 Urban Winery celebrated its long-awaited grand opening on Saturday, packed with well-wishers.

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Grape Quota Case Moves to Eighth Circuit Court: Nationwide Implications for In-State Fruit Mandate

March 17, 2019

An update on the 2017 lawsuit filed against the state of Minnesota by two of its licensed wineries. The lower court ruling was appealed in the Eighth Circuit, and the decision could have implications for other states, including Nevada, which has an in-state fruit quota for commercial wineries.

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Engine 8 Opening Delayed Again. This Time, it’s Discrepancies in the Law

March 13, 2019

With a week to go before opening day, the Engine 8 Urban Winery got a surprise inspection by the Nevada Department of Taxation, which ordered the winery to return a shipment of wine delivered 24 hours earlier, and to relinquish their on-premise license to the City of Sparks.

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Industry Associations Show Up at Unified Symposium

February 6, 2019

More than a half-dozen industry support organizations were present at the 25th Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, billed as the nation’s largest wine industry trade show. The groups vary in structure and focus.

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Wine Academy Heads for Third Year, 9 Slots Remain for 2019 Session

January 24, 2019

The year-long Academy program starts in the early spring with vineyard tending. After the harvest, the students move inside and spend the winter making wine. Instructor and founder Joe Bernardo says he’s going into year three with a more sophisticated approach to teaching the program. Complete 2019 class schedule included here.

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Nevada Growers Get Serious, Look to Washington State for Organization Model

January 10, 2019

Nevada’s nascent association of grape growers sought inspiration this week at a presentation in Reno from the Washington Winegrowers. Ensuing discussion among the attendees suggests that a top priority for Nevada growers might be creating a financing structure, and developing an advocacy group.

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Update: Engine 8 Winery Expects to Open Ahead of Valentine’s Day

January 4, 2019

There’s nothing like a construction project to slow down a business plan. That’s the case in Victorian Square, where the City of Sparks cleared the way last summer for its first urban winery. After a series of delays, Mike and Wendi Rawson are now optimistic that they’ll open their Engine 8 Winery in late January.

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