Grapegrowers Put the Vineyard Workforce at the Center of the 2026 ROOTSTOCK Conference
The Nov. 5 gathering at Napa Valley College opens with the first State of the Valley and digs into overtime rules, H-2A and the labor landscape.
NAPA: The Napa Valley Grapegrowers will host the 2026 ROOTSTOCK Conference on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, with this year’s program focused on the workforce that sustains the valley’s vineyards year-round.
New this year, ROOTSTOCK opens with the inaugural State of the Valley, an annual presentation that translates broader wine industry trends into what they mean for Napa Valley’s vineyards, acreage, winery partners and agricultural community. Three speakers will give growers, vineyard managers and winery partners a local picture of where the valley stands and what to plan for next.
Overtime law, H-2A and labor law on the agenda
The program then turns to the labor questions shaping vineyard operations: a data-driven look at the first full year under California’s farm labor overtime law, pairing UC Berkeley economic research on hours and earnings with worker survey findings on job satisfaction; a session on the H-2A program’s mechanics, housing considerations and the approaches growers are taking as the program’s future in the valley evolves; and practical guidance on overtime rules, compliance risks and employer responsibilities.
ROOTSTOCK opens with the first State of the Valley, translating industry trends into what they mean for Napa Valley’s vineyards.
ROOTSTOCK is aimed at vineyard owners and managers, winery executives, viticulturists, compliance and HR professionals, farm labor contractors and crew leaders, and sustainability and certification specialists. Member admission is $75 and general admission is $105, with registration open through Nov. 5.
The Napa Valley Grapegrowers is a nonprofit representing more than 600 vineyard owners and managers across Napa County. ROOTSTOCK has run for over 17 years, evolving from a tradeshow format into a focused educational conference on the challenges facing growers.
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