Sustainable Winegrowing

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.
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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

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 of Dry Farmed Vineyards, Paso Robles, CA | REGISTER
171: How to Farm Wine Grapes for Climate Change  
181: Can Applying Compost Reduce Water Use?  
287: Dry Farming Vineyards: Where It Works and How to Begin
California Winegrape Dry Farming Potential Map
Dry Farming in Coastal California Vineyards
Napa County Resource Conversation District
North Coast Soil Hub 

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

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: 

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

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 Growers
Alterra Solutions
Healthy Soils Playlist
Pre-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 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

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 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