Under the Hood: What January’s Job Numbers Signal for Napa’s Future
By Tim Carl
We Need Your Help
If you’re reading this, you care about independent, locally owned, ad-free journalism — reporting that puts our region’s stories first, not corporate interests or clickbait.
Join a community that values in-depth, independent reporting. Become a paid subscriber today — and if you already are, thank you. Help us grow by liking, commenting and sharing our work.
The Spotlight
Welcome to “Under the Hood,” our exclusive Saturday series for Napa Valley Features paid subscribers. This week we dig into Napa County’s latest unemployment data — and what it reveals about a deeper imbalance. As structural demand softens, the region continues to build: more hotels, more tasting rooms, more housing, more brands. But instead of driving recovery, that growing supply may be diluting a market already strained by demographic shifts, global instability and what we increasingly view as invisible oversupply.
Additionally, we’re diving into the latest data from our readers’ polls and providing insights from our economic dashboard, covering local Napa Valley, U.S. and global markets.
In addition, we feature "What We Are Reading," a section with a handpicked list of recent articles that provides a variety of viewpoints on issues important to our community and beyond.
“What We Are Reading” quotes of the day:
“They like to complain that California wines don’t age… Well, who wants to drink a 50-year-old wine anyway?” – from James Laube, in his life tribute by Esther Mobley: "A colossal California wine critic has died. He was also my friend," San Francisco Chronicle.
"I feel that any imposition on my land, being told what I can do, is inappropriate. I encourage people to eliminate all the laws on winery property. But if we're not going to eliminate the laws, enforce them equally." – from Linda Neal, in "Napa Turns Its Attention to Trade Tastings," Wine-Searcher.
“We need to be doing the right thing, we should be looking after the earth, empowering people and thinking about what we eat and drink because it’s the right thing to do, nothing more, nothing less.” – from Alex Dale, in "Cutting through the greenwash: Alex Dale pushes for true organic change," The Drinks Business.
“Agriculture has been the backbone of California’s economy for generations. However, today, our sector is facing significant challenges that (not only) threaten our state’s economy but the very future of food and farming.” – from Shannon Douglass, in "Agriculture trade groups sound alarm on behalf of farmers," North Bay Business Journal.
“I think it’s important that we invest in this research, there’s too much at risk not to. The wine industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and too much fruit and wine has been lost due to smoke taint.” – from Rich Parducci, in "Legislators introduce bill in Congress to fund research on the effects of wildfire smoke on winegrapes," Bay City News.
“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 336 elementary schools for their efforts to provide exemplary public education to all students.” – from Tony Thurmond, in "Napa Valley School Selected As CA Distinguished School," Patch.
“Once you take the alcohol out of the wine, you’re losing a lot of the support… It’s a sweet element and a density element, and a lot of people go to sugar to replace it.” – from Aaron Pott, in "Why Is It So Hard to Find a Good Nonalcoholic Wine?" The New York Times.
“A new high 46% of Americans, including a broad majority of Democrats and almost half of independents, now believe the U.S. isn’t doing enough to support Ukraine.” – from Megan Brenan, in "Support for Greater U.S. Role in Ukraine Climbs to 46% High," Gallup.
“This is my home — I really love my country. But a lot of my mentors have been telling me to get out, right now.” – from a graduate student, in "75% of U.S. scientists who answered Nature poll consider leaving," Nature.