FAQ

FAQ

Frequently asked questions asked regarding the mandatory inspection of wine grapes in California.

If you answer “Yes”: Chapter 3 of Division 16 of the Food and Agricultural Code requires that the grapes be inspected by either: the Agricultural Commissioner for your county, OR the California Department of Food and Agriculture. What should I do? Contact ASAP either the Agricultural Commissioner for your county or the California Winegrape Inspection Program.
If you answered “No”: You do not need to request mandatory inspections. No action is required.

The California Winegrape Inspection Program operates statewide. Please contact the Program ASAP at:
(559) 591-4960 to arrange for inspections; they will do their best to accommodate your request.

California Law requires that the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) provide wine grape inspection services. In 2005 CDFA implemented the Winegrape Inspection Marketing Agreement as a vehicle to meet the requirements of the Food and Agricultural Code. An industry committee known as the Winegrape Inspection Advisory Board directs the operations of the Agreement. The Advisory Board consists of vintner/processors and grower representatives appointed by CDFA. Funding for the Program comes from inspection fees levied equitably upon participating winegrape
vintners/processors and the winegrape growers who sell to them.

While the requirement to inspect is mandatory when either soluble solids, rot or MOG are used to set the price of grapes, participation in the Agreement is voluntary. Although for logistical purposes the Program prefers to have signatories join a few months in advance, you can join the Agreement at any time. There is no cost to join the Agreement. You and your growers only pay if inspections are conducted.

Every year the program provides signatories the opportunity to withdraw from the Agreement. Requests for release from the Agreement must be received by the Program in writing before February 28 of the year at matter. Release from the Agreement may be granted, provided that the signatory is not in violation of the provisions of the Agreement and has fulfilled his or her obligations, including the payment of inspection fees owed to the Program. Please notice that if you are considering withdrawing from the Agreement because you do not know whether you will be using soluble solids, rot, or MOG as the basis to set the purchase price during the next season, there really is no need to withdraw (unless of course that is your preference); you and your growers are only required to pay for the inspections that are conducted.

Yes. California law mandates third party inspections any time either soluble solids, rot or MOG are used as the basis to set the price of the grapes, even if a written contract is not in place. However, formally amending the contract or the terms of the purchase to use other criteria to set the price (instead of using
soluble solids, rot or MOG) would eliminate the need for third party inspections.

In the event of violation or threatened violation of the Agreement or any rule or regulation made effective by the Department, CDFA may request the Attorney General to file an action in the California Superior Court against the party at matter.