Sustainable Winegrowing

Many winegrape growers  don't  realize that grapevine roots are constantly growing, dying, and regenerating throughout the season. In this episode,  David Eissenstat, Professor Emeritus at Penn State University , explains how decades of root research have challenged the myth that roots only grow  at  bloom and after harvest. He shares how underground research techniques reveal the hidden life of g...

Think print is   a thing of the past ? Think again. Discover why print  remains  a powerful marketing tool for wineries, offering lasting impressions, stronger recall, and a personal touch that digital channels  can't  always match. Learn how to make your print materials work smarter and more sustainably.   Resources:   Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Imp...

Three-cornered alfalfa hopper (TCAH) is the only confirmed insect vector of grapevine red blotch virus in Vitis vinifera, yet many growers first realize they have the pest only after spotting petiole girdling in the vineyard. Cindy Kron, North Coast IPM Advisor at UC ANR, shares findings from two years of weekly sweep-net monitoring at Oakville Research Station that revealed TCAH adults are presen...

Meet Gilbert the Pig and friends. These goats, sheep, and Kunekune pigs replaced herbicides and mowing with year-round weed control. And they're adorable. Resources:   Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Cour s e    Support the Podcast:   Make a Donation   Vineyard Team Programs:   Juan...

Wine grape growers are turning to precision technology to  mitigate  bird damage while  reducint labor and material costs. In this episode, Joseph Traut (Cypress  AgTech)  joins growers Chad Foster (Maverick Farming) and Paul Ramirez (Loma Escondida Farming) to share real-world experience using an autonomous, silent laser system that protects 20–30 vineyard acres per unit. Learn how to optimize  p...

Two-thirds of consumers say sustainability matters when choosing what to buy. Learn how to equip your tasting room team with simple, authentic talking points that help guests connect with your values and turn every interaction into a memorable brand experience.   Resources:   Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Tell Your...

The biggest challenge in ag tech  isn't  innovation —  it's  making tools that  actually work  on the farm.   Matthew Hoffman, General Partner and Head of Farms at Reservoir, shares how the company is helping ag tech startups develop tools that solve real farming challenges. By partnering directly with specialty crop producers, including winegrape growers, Reservoir gives companies access to farms...

Andy Fles, Vineyard Manager at Shady Lane Cellars, wanted to make his fungicide program even more sustainable. So, he set up an experiment that put "soft" materials head to head with his usual program. Support the Podcast:  Make a Donation   Vineyard Team Programs:  Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship  - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online Courses  - Earn DPR and CCA...

Can your soil hold enough water to carry vines through the season without irrigation?  Miguel Garcia,  Regenative   Agriculture Project Manager at Napa RCD,  shares findings from a 15-vineyard study across California's North Coast .  By measuring organic matter, soil respiration, active carbon, and aggregate stability, the project evaluates how soils store and supply water over the growing season....

Memorable winery visits  don't  happen by accident.  They're  designed.  Craig Macmillan (Niner Wine Estates) shares how storytelling, insider access, and well-trained staff turn winery tours into long-lasting customer relationships.    Resources:   *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course ***  Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Sustainable Stories   Support the Podcast:...

Making the best sustainable farming decisions  isn't  about choosing one solution;  it's  about weighing the best  strategies  for your vineyard.    Lucas Pope, Vice President of Altera Solutions, shares how growers can balance performance, cost, and long-term impact by understanding trade-offs .  Lucas dives into  developing a vineyard for efficiency,   the best irrigation setup,  composting , he...

147 native plants now create a thriving monarch butterfly sanctuary. What started as a passion project now supports biodiversity with minimal maintenance. Resources:   *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course ***  Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Planting for Pollinators | Sustainable Story Sustainable Story Worksheet  | Electronic    Support the Podcast :   Make a Dona...

Barn o wls are natural predators of gophers, voles, and mice ,  three of the most common vertebrate pests in vineyards. Matt Johnson, Professor in the Department of Wildlife at Cal Poly Humboldt University, studies how farms and wildlife can mutually  benefit  each other. Matt shares practical guidance on barn owl nest box design, placement, and maintenance, and explains how vineyard landscapes an...

Wine buyers care about sustainability—but are you talking about it? Learn three practical ways to share your sustainable winegrowing story through tasting room interactions, sales conversations, and social media that builds trust with today's conscious wine consumers. Resources: *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course *** Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Sustainable St...

With current market shifts, vineyard mothballing can buy growers time—but it requires strategy, not abandonment. Chris Chen, Integrated Vineyard Systems Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension, draws on research in Australia and  field  experience in California to outline what minimal management really looks like. From pruning approaches and livestock integration to pest and disease management, irri...

When a newly dug well revealed water too salty for irrigation, Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard faced a serious threat to vine health and wine quality. Discover how a reverse osmosis system and an unexpected salt-loving grass transformed a costly setback into a biodiversity-boosting solution. Resources:   *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course ***    Apply for SIP Certified Wine   Marketing T...

Cover crops play a critical role in building healthy, resilient soils in vineyards and agricultural systems.  Sarah Light , Agronomy Farm Advisor with  UC Cooperative Extension , shares how cover crops protect soil from wind and heavy rain, improve water infiltration, and increase on-farm biodiversity. She introduces a newly released cover crop selector tool  developed for Western growing regions,...

Consumers want transparency and sustainability—and they reward it with loyalty and sales. This episode breaks down four  key ways  to communicate sustainability, from tasting rooms to sales channels, showing how clear, credible messaging builds trust   and drives  purchasing  decisions.   Resources:   *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course ***  Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eN...

A decade of viticulture education is right at your fingertips. Executive Director Beth Vukmanic interviews longtime host Craig MacMillan to celebrate ten years and 300 episodes of the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast. Together, they reflect on some of Craig's most memorable interviews—from new discoveries in sour rot and space-to-farm technology, to using storytelling to sell more wine and tackling...

While the Whale Rock Music Festival is renowned for rocking the Central Coast every year with live music and family-friendly activities. The event has an even greater purpose: supporting Templeton High School musicians through the parent-volunteer organization, TIMBA.   Resources:   *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course ***  Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Supportin...

Root systems are more than just  anchors,  they are the plant's stomach, communicating with their environment through a network of microbes. Suzanne Fleishman, Assistant Professor of Root Biology at Penn State University, introduces the emerging field of Root Agroecology, which integrates plant physiology and omic  methods to improve sustainability in vineyards. She shares insights from a five-yea...

Eco-conscious wine lovers are willing to pay more for sustainable products—but they  won't  dig for details. In this Marketing Tip Monday, learn how to meet consumer demand for sustainability by making it easy. With 60 % of  younger and multicultural wine buyers preferring sustainable wines, visibility is key. Show your story at a glance  with the SIP Certified logo on your label.  It's  fast, sim...

Lasers may offer a chemical-free way to deter bird pests in vineyards and other agricultural systems.  George Gallagher , Department Head of Animal Science at  Cal Poly San Luis Obispo , explains why bird pressure goes beyond crop loss ,  raising concerns about disease risks like  salmonella ,  E. coli , and transmission of  avian influenza . He shares results from a controlled study using a handh...

Legal oversights can cost wine brands dearly, but with the right guidance, many are entirely preventable. Lindsey Zahn, Managing Partner of Lindsey Zahn P.C. Alcoholic Beverage Law Firm, breaks down the top f our  legal pitfalls wineries and wine brands must avoid. From building solid contracts and understanding who owns what, to navigating TTB labeling rules, producing non-alcoholic wines, and st...

Foxen and Niner show impactful ways to weave generosity into everyday business. As you plan for 2026, think about the unique ways your brand can meaningfully engage with your local community. Then, share your team's participation, spotlight the organizations you support, and tell the stories that highlight your values. Resources:   *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course ***    Apply for SIP...