Sustainable Winegrowing

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, herbicide-free practices, and fungicide resistance, while emphasizing collaboration with clients to select the best approach for each unique site. Resources: 117: Grapevine Mildew Control with UV Light219: Intelligent Sprayers to Improve Fungicide Applications and Save Money302: New Cover Crop Tool for Western GrowersAlterra SolutionsHealthy Soils PlaylistPre-Season Checklist for Powdery Mildew Management | DPR 1 - O; CCA 1 - IPM Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher educationOnline Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainingsSIP Certified - A trusted third-party certification proving your sustainable practices with science-backed standardsSustainable Ag Expo- Join top experts at the premier winegrowing event of the yearVineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing

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 WineMarketing Tips eNewsletter Planting for PollinatorsSustainable Story Worksheet |Electronic Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher educationOnline Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainingsSIP Certified - A trusted third-party certification proving your sustainable practices with science-backed standardsSustainable Ag Expo- Join top experts at the premier winegrowing event of the yearVineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing

Barn owls 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 and surrounding habitat influence owl occupancy. Resources: 272: 30 Gophers a Night: Why Barn Owls Belong in Your VineyardBarn Owl Hunting Animation – Yarrow from the Lodi Wine Visitor CenterBarn Owl Nest Box Placement and MaintenanceBarn Owl Nest Box PlansCal Poly Humboldt Barn OwlsProbability of Nest Box Occupancy by Barn Owls Map Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher educationOnline Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainingsSIP Certified - A trusted third-party certification proving your sustainable practices with science-backed standardsSustainable Ag Expo- Join top experts at the premier winegrowing event of the yearVineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing

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 WineMarketing Tips eNewsletterSustainable Stories Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial ScholarshipOnline CoursesSIP CertifiedSustainable Ag ExpoVineyard Team Membership

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, irrigation by rootstock and soil type, and long-term yield risks, he explains how to reduce costs now without compromising a vineyard's future—or risking fines. Resources: 4/8/2026 REGISTER: Tailgate | Mothballing RoundtableChris Chen - TwitterOut of Sync: vineyard responses to changing conditions Partial Solar Radiation Exclusion with Color Shade Nets Reduces the Degradation of Organic Acids and Flavonoids of Grape Berry (Vitis vinifera L.)UCCE North Coast ViticultureUC Cooperative Extension Sonoma CountyUCCE Viticulture Publications Online - North Coast Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher educationOnline Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainingsSIP Certified - A trusted third-party certification proving your sustainable practices with science-backed standardsSustainable Ag Expo- Join top experts at the premier winegrowing event of the yearVineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing

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 Tips eNewsletter Sustainable Stories Sustainable Story Worksheet 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 hours with expert-led sustainability trainings SIP Certified - A trusted third-party certification proving your sustainable practices with science-backed standards Sustainable Ag Expo - Join top experts at the premier winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing

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, with guidance on species selection, termination practices, and grower goals such as reducing compaction, fixing nitrogen, and supporting pollinators. This practical resource helps growers choose the best cover crops for their location, crops, and management objectives. Resources: 151: The Role of the Soil Microbiome in Soil Health 159: Under-Vine Vegetation to Control Vine Vigor298: How Cover Crops Shape Grapevine Root SystemsCooperative Extension, Sutter-Yuba CountiesCover Crop Decision ToolCover Cropping in California's Water Scarce EnvironmentCover Crop ResourcesSarah Light's Research New tool helps farmers select cover cropsUC Ag Experts Talk: Considerations for Cover Crops and Weed Management (video) Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher educationOnline Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainingsSIP Certified - A trusted third-party certification proving your sustainable practices with science-backed standardsSustainable Ag Expo- Join top experts at the premier winegrowing event of the yearVineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing

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 WineMarketing Tips eNewsletterSustainable StoriesSustainable Story Worksheet Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher educationOnline Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainingsSIP Certified - A trusted third-party certification proving your sustainable practices with science-backed standardsSustainable Ag Expo- Join top experts at the premier winegrowing event of the yearVineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing

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 leadership transitions. Resources: 17: New Discoveries about Sour Rot 129: The Efficient Vineyard Project 161: Use Storytelling to Sell More Wine 233: The Gap Between Space and Farm: Ground Truthing Satellite Data Models 239: Ford Pro Pilot – Trialing Electric Trucks in the Field 249: Making it Easier to Use Satellite Data in Agriculture 257: Understanding Winery Visitors – Increase Sales with your Messaging 268: How to Tackle Leadership Transitions Successfully 286: To Till or Not to Till: Impacts on Soil, Vines, and Vineyard Budgets Craig Macmillan 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 hours with expert-led sustainability trainings SIP Certified - A trusted third-party certification proving your sustainable practices with science-backed standards Sustainable Ag Expo - Join top experts at the premier winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing

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 WineMarketing Tips eNewsletterSupporting Arts & Community | Castoro CellarsSustainable Story Worksheet Print Electronic Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate Online Courses – DPR & CCA HoursSIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the yearVineyard Team – Become a Member

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-year red fescue cover crop trial showing reduced pruning weights and improved vine balance, as well as shifts in rhizosphere microbiomes. Her future goal? A grower tool that predicts the best cover crops by site. Resources: 72: Soil Microbes and Nutrient Availability 151: The Role of the Soil Microbiome in Soil Health 159: Under-Vine Vegetation to Control Vine Vigor Can Cover Crops Improve Wine Grape Production Resilience? Research revealing grapevine root relationships Root Agroecology Lab Suzanne Fleishman Suzanne Fleisman – Google Scholar Suzanne Fleishman – Research Gate Undervine groundcover substantially increases shallow but not deep soil carbon in a temperate vineyard 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 hours with expert-led sustainability trainings SIP Certified - A trusted third-party certification proving your sustainable practices with science-backed standards Sustainable Ag Expo - Join top experts at the premier winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing

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, simple, and signals your commitment to people and the planet. Resources: *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course *** Apply for SIP Certified WineMarketing Tips eNewsletterSustainable Story Worksheet Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate Online Courses – DPR & CCA HoursSIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the yearVineyard Team – Become a Member

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 handheld laser, aimed at birds' feet, to measure how long it took them to respond. The research showed that different birds react differently. George highlights the importance of animal safety and the role of species-specific vision when evaluating new deterrent tools. Listen through the end to hear if the lasers work on rats. Resources: 58: Barn Owls114: Designing a Vineyard for Year-Round Sheep Grazing 272: 30 Gophers a Night: Why Barn Owls Belong in Your VineyardCal Poly Animan Science DepartmentGeorge GallagherGeorge Gallagher |Amanote ResearchGeorge Gallagher | Research Gate Tactical to Practical: The Human Component of Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - DonateOnline Courses – DPR & CCA HoursSIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the yearVineyard Team – Become a Member

Legal oversights can cost wine brands dearly, but with the right guidance, many are entirely preventable. Lindsay Zahn, Managing Partner of Lindsay Zahn P.C. Alcoholic Beverage Law Firm, breaks down the top four 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 staying compliant with social media advertising laws, this episode arms you with practical knowledge to reduce risk and protect your business from penalties. Resources: 187: Labor and Employment Law Tips from a LawyerCode of Federal Regulations - Food Labeling Code of Federal Regulations – Labeling and Advertising of WineDealcoholized Wine and Malt Beverages - LabelingGuidance for Industry: Food Labeling GuideLindsey Zahn Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - DonateOnline Courses – DPR & CCA HoursSIP Certified – Sustainable, Seriously Sustainable Ag Expo – The Premiere Winegrowing Event Vineyard Team – Become a Member

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 Certified Wine Likely Story Strategies Marketing Tips eNewsletter Sustainable Story Worksheet Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate SIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team – Become a Member

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 establishment and water infiltration. Beyond the vineyard, this renewable energy can power everything from irrigation pumps to EV charging stations for wine tasting guests. Resources: 281: How Rootstock Impacts Vine Drought Tolerance and Longevity283: Developing Cold-Hardy Grapes with 23andMe TechnologyAgrivoltaics in the VineyardAgrivoltaics in wine growing areasAre These Smart Solar Panels the Future of Sustainable Vineyards?Assessing the economic performance of agrivoltaic systems in vineyards - framework development, simulated scenarios and directions for future researchGrape Growth and Berry Development Under the Agrivoltaic System in VineyardsManfred StollSoaking Up the Sun: Agrivoltaics Build Resiliency into Producers' Operations in Rio Grande Valley Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate Online Courses – DPR & CCA HoursSIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team – Become a Member

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, they showed promising resistance, raising the potential to reduce fungicide use by up to half and adapt more sustainably to extreme weather scenarios. Resources: 223: New Decision Support System for Irrigation Efficiency213: High Resolution Data from Space Helps Farmers Plan for Climate ChangeKarine Pedneault Karine Pedneault – Google ScholarKarine Pedneault - InstagramKarine Pedneault - LinkedInKarine Pedneault – Research GateMetabolic response of vitis vinifera and interspecific vitis sp. varieties to heat stress, water deficit and combined stress, using a metabolomic approachThe organic vineyard as a balanced ecosystem: Improved organic grape management and impacts on wine quality Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - DonateOnline Courses – DPR & CCA HoursSIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team – Become a Member

With fungicide resistance on the rise, grape growers are looking for new ways to manage powdery mildew. Lexi McDaniel, 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 applied at night, how often it needs to pass through the vineyard, and how this technique compares to traditional fungicide programs in both cost and effectiveness. Resources: 117: Grapevine Mildew Control with UV Light197: Managing the Sour Rot Disease Complex in Grapes219: Intelligent Sprayers to Improve Fungicide Applications and Save Money235: Battling Fungicide Resistance with Glove Sampling266: Soft Pesticide Trial: Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Botrytis, and Sour RotField-Scale Ultraviolet-C Light Applications to Manage Grapevine Powdery MildewGrapevine Powery Mildew UV-C InformationIntroducing UVC applications for powdery mildew control in grapevinesLexie McDanielNorth Carolina State ExtensionUltraviolet-C (UVC) Light Can Be a Powerful Tool Against Grapevine Powdery Mildew Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - DonateOnline Courses – DPR & CCA HoursSIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the yearVineyard Team – Become a Member

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 WineLikely Story StrategiesMarketing Tips eNewsletterSustainable Story Worksheet Print Electronic Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - DonateSIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the yearVineyard Team – Become a Member

Spotted lanternfly (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 risk and how growers can prepare during peak pressure in September. Learn about insecticide options, biocontrol efforts, and scouting strategies—whether SLF is in your area or not. Resources: 96: Spotted Lanternfly - Threat to California175: How to Prepare for Invasive Pests in Your VineyardAn Introduction to the Invasive Spotted Lanternfly:Webinar on April 21, 2023 Brian WalshResearch Update of Spotted Lanternfly in Grape: Webinar on March 9, 2022Spotted Lantern Fly Spotted Lanternfly Management in VineyardsSpotted Lanternfly Management for Landscape Professionals Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - DonateOnline Courses – DPR & CCA HoursSIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year– Discount Code PODCAST25Vineyard Team – Become a Member