Sustainable Winegrowing

Microbats are tiny natural predators with a big appetite for insects, but the uniform structure of a vineyard can keep them from venturing far into the block. Matt Fowles, Owner and CEO of Fowles Wine, noticed that vineyard blocks near trees had less moth pressure than those bordered by open grassland. He shares how that observation inspired a system of vertical structures designed to give microbats echolocation points and encourage them to move deeper into the vineyard. Early trials show increased bat activity and promising potential for natural pest control in vineyards. Resources: 272: 30 Gophers...

Social media keeps changing, but wineries can stay relevant with a focused strategy. Heather Daenitz (Craft & Cluster) shares practical advice on Instagram Stories, audience engagement, searchable content, authentic video, and content series that help wineries connect with wine consumers.  Resources:  Apply for SIP Certified Wine Join the SIP Certified Wine Finder (Members Only) Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact

Why we like wine has less to do with our taste buds than you might think. Zata Vickers, professor of Food Science and Nutrition and director of the Sensory Center at the University of Minnesota, explains the science behind why we like what we like. Learn how repeated exposure, positive social experiences, and even the words used to describe wine influence our preferences. Along the way, she shares surprising insights into what babies' reactions can teach us about taste and why food preferences are learned more often than they're born. Resources: 257: Understanding Winery Visitors – In...

Mesa Vineyard Management teamed up with Cal Poly to track barn owls and understand where they hunt in an effort to help growers strengthen natural pest control in vineyards. Resources:  Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course  

Biological control is emerging as one of the most promising tools against spotted lanternfly. Anne Johnson, postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University, explains how spotted lanternfly damages grapevines by draining plant sap and producing honeydew that fuels sooty mold. She shares new research showing that North American predators, including spiders, praying mantises, and birds, are already helping keep this invasive pest in check. Learn which biological control strategies show the most promise, why removing tree of heaven matters, and how community science is accelerating discoveries for sustainable spotted lanternfly management. ...

Boost your social media marketing without creating more content. Discover four simple strategies to improve SEO, help the right audience find your posts, increase saves and shares, build authentic connections, and repurpose content to maximize your reach. Resources: Apply for SIP Certified Wine Join the SIP Certified Wine Finder (Members Only) Marketing Tips eNewsletter

Choosing the right grapevine rootstock can improve drought resilience without sacrificing yield. Patty Skinkis, Viticulture Extension Specialist and Professor in the Horticulture Department at Oregon State University, shares findings from long-term Oregon rootstock trial comparing mature and young vineyards. Learn which rootstocks produced larger canopies and higher yields with less water stress, why traditional low-vigor choices may struggle in no-till systems, and how this research is shaping an updated guide to help growers select rootstocks for climate resilience, vineyard establishment, and future production. Resources: 281: How Rootstock Impacts Vine Drought Tolerance and Longevity Evaluating Drought-Tolerant...

While Santa Barbara's Foxen Canyon area is known for its natural beauty, reliable cell service is not one of its amenities. Read More.

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 grapevine roots, why young roots drive water and nutrient uptake, how root growth changes with temperature and moisture, and what growers should know about managing vineyards with a deeper understanding of root biology. Resources: 281: How Rootstock...

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 Impact

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 present well before bud break, suggesting grapevines are not their preferred host. She explains the insect's life stages, why legumes serve as key feeding and reproductive hosts, and why detecting early instars remains a major...

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 Course  

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 placement, program effective coverage patterns, and time use from mid-June through harvest. Hear which bird species are easiest to deter, where challenges remain, and how this approach supports sustainable, worker-safe vineyard management. Resources: 6/10/2026 REGISTER: Technology Field Day Ta...

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 Sustainable Story Online Cours

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, equipment, and real-world feedback to refine technologies before they reach the market. Matthew highlights emerging innovations in autonomous equipment, robotics, machine vision, and farm management technology, and explains why grower involvement is essential to creating solutions that fit th...

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 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...

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. Learn how cover crops, tillage practices, and deep root systems shape soil and moisture dynamics, and how dry-farmed vineyards compare with the broader soil health database. Resources: 4/28/26 Dry Farm Site Tour, New Cuyama, CA | REGISTER 5/21/26 The Science and Practice...

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  Sup

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 Light 219: Intelligent Sprayers to Improve Fungicide Applications and Save Money 302: New Cover Crop Tool for Western...

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