California runs dry

California wildfire risk May 2021

Alder explains exactly how and why Californian wine producers are so dependent on a commodity that is running out fast. See also this very sad news about one of California's most distinctive and determined winemakers.

Over the last year or two, the ubiquitous two-word phrase ‘climate change’ has, with increasing frequency, been replaced with the phrase ‘climate emergency’. Spring has not quite yet transitioned to summer in California wine country, but there are plenty of alarm bells ringing that make it clear the state is firmly in the grip of the latter.

On Wednesday 21 April, California Governor Gavin Newsom...