Sustainable Winegrowing

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...

Rising temperatures and erratic weather accelerate ripening, spread disease faster, and shift sugar, alcohol, and acidity levels. All of which threaten wine quality and style.   At Geisenheim University, Dr. Manfred Stoll is testing " vitivoltaics ": semi-transparent, trackable solar panels installed above vines. The system moderates heat, radiation, and extreme weather, while improving young vine...

Will hybrid grapes help vineyards survive climate change? Professor Karine Pedneault of the Université du Québec  en  Outaouais explores this question through trials that expose grapevines to drought and heat stress. Testing both vinifera and hybrid varieties, her research measured plant water flow and metabolic responses to determine resilience. While hybrids still carry a stigma around flavor, t...

With fungicide resistance on the rise, grape growers are looking for new ways to manage powdery mildew. Lexi Mc Daniel, Viticulture Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University, explores the science behind using UVC light to combat this grapevine disease by directly disrupting the DNA bonds needed for replication. She shares insights from her trials, including why the light must be appl...

Terms like "regenerative," "climate‑smart," and "social equity"  aren't  just buzzwords— they're  the building blocks of sustainable  winegrowing .  Learn  wine brands  protect  soil, reduce energy use, and support people , all  while producing high-quality wine.     Resources :   *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course ***  Apply for SIP Certified Wine Likely Story Strategies Marketing Tips...

Spotted lantern f ly (SLF) is more than a nuisance , it poses a serious risk to vineyards. Brian Walsh, Extension Educator and Spotted Lanternfly Researcher with Penn State Extension, explains how this invasive insect threatens grapes across the eastern U.S. From unusual egg-laying behavior to honeydew-covered canopies that attract stinging insects, Walsh explores why vineyards are especially at r...

64% of consumers say sustainability is a top purchasing factor—even during inflation. But how do you turn that intent into action? Learn how to close the "aspiration-action gap" by proudly promoting your sustainable certifications and showing customers your commitment to responsible practices.   Resources:   *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course ***  Apply for SIP Certified Wine    Likely...

Dry farming is more than just skipping irrigation— it's a deliberate practice that starts with soil stewardship. Lauryn Leeds Pesch of Chavez & Leeds Family Vineyards and Leeds & Pesch Vineyard Consulting shares her deep-rooted knowledge in dry farming, a technique that relies solely on stored winter and spring rainfall to meet a vine's needs. Learn about a $2M research initiative with the Departm...

Can no-till really work in low-rainfall, compaction-prone soils? Taylor Jones, Director of Viticulture at Dierberg and Star Lane Vineyards in Santa Barbara, California shares insights from an 8-year vineyard floor trial comparing till vs. no-till practices. From vine vigor to soil health, microbial life to tractor fuel savings, Taylor reveals surprising data and offers practical advice for growers...

After wrapping up Episode 284 on SGMA, Kevin Rost (Apollo Ag Technologies) and host Craig Macmillan kept the conversation going—and it was too good not to share. In this bonus episode, Kevin dives deeper into the benefits of maintaining irrigation distribution uniformity, selecting cover crops based on grower goals, and how agroforestry and silvopasture can revolutionize water retention and soil h...

Social media doesn't have to be overwhelming—especially with the right strategy. In this episode, we share four essential tips to grow your brand online, straight from digital marketing expert Emma Tessler of 95 Media.   Focus on 1–3 platforms that align with your audience Craft a clear and consistent brand message Repurpose content to expand your reach Use analytics to improve your strategy   Lea...

Understanding your water use is essential—whether it's regulated or not. Kevin Rost, Sales Representative for Apollo Ag Technologies in Fresno, California, shares how growers can get ahead of evolving water management expectations. Using California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) as a case study, he explains acronyms like GSA and GSP, outlines affordable tools for monitoring water...

Most of the world's wine grapes, like Chardonnay, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc, come from Vitis vinifera , a species prized for fruit quality but highly vulnerable to cold, pests, and disease. Assistant Professor Soon Li Teh of the University of Minnesota is developing new cold-hardy cultivars by combining traditional breeding with DNA technology—essentially 23andMe for grapes. His work taps into t...