The Napa Valley Vintners have struggled for years to keep the glassy winged sharpshooter, an insect that is capable of spreading a grapevine killing disease called Pierce's disease, from infesting the majority of Napa's vineyards. Grape growers in Napa and around the state have voted to continue paying a special fee to fight this potentially dangerous pest. Pierce's disease is a virus that attacks and kills grapevines and so far wine country has been safe from the virus threat.
There were 2,792 ballots counted, representing 45% of the total eligible vineyard owner's votes and 84% of those votes cast were in favor of extending the fee to continue research on both the glassy winged sharpshooter and Pierce's virus. The fee rises between 3 and 4 million dollars each year which goes directly to research and pest management. This year's fee will also be used to research other known pests such as the European grapevine moth which has caused the quarantine of several vineyards this year.
