Episode 10: a historical look at Napa Valley with Richard Mendelson & Glass with a Grower, Ren Harris

In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, Executive Director and host Caleb Mosley celebrates the Napa Valley Grapegrowers' 50th anniversary with two in-depth conversations highlighting the region's rich history, agricultural legacy, and future challenges.The episode begins with Richard Mendelson, a renowned wine lawyer, author, and historian. Richard discusses the pivotal moments that shaped Napa Valley, from the 19th-century wine pioneers to the post-Prohibition revival and the creation of the Agricultural Preserve in 1968. He emphasizes the critical role of human influence in terroir, the importance of resilience in the face of climate change, and the need to preserve Napa’s agricultural heritage through initiatives like social justice programs for farmworkers and stricter appellation standards. Richard also shares stories from his career, including efforts to protect the Napa Valley name globally and recent AVA developments such as the Crystal Springs AVA.The conversation continues with Ren Harris, one of the founding members of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and a celebrated vintner. Ren reflects on his early days in Napa, the region’s shift from prunes to vineyards, and his instrumental role in creating the Napa Valley Grapegrowers organization. He shares stories about his work advocating for farmworker rights, creating health insurance plans for vineyard workers, and establishing marketing orders and appellation rules that shaped Napa’s identity. Ren also discusses the evolution of vineyard practices, his family’s Paradigm Winery, and the significance of preserving Napa’s community spirit and agricultural lands amid climate and economic changes.This episode is brought to you by Pulido Walker Estate Vineyards. Support the show