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 Vigor
• 298: How Cover Crops Shape Grapevine Root Systems
• Cooperative Extension, Sutter-Yuba Counties
• Cover Crop Decision Tool
• Cover Cropping in California's Water Scarce Environment
• Cover Crop Resources
• Sarah Light's Research
• New tool helps farmers select cover crops
• UC 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 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

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 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

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 Wine
• Marketing Tips eNewsletter
• Supporting Arts & Community | Castoro Cellars
• Sustainable Story Worksheet
  • Print
  • Electronic

Vineyard Team Programs:

• Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate
• Online Courses – DPR & CCA Hours
• 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

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 Wine
• Marketing Tips eNewsletter
• Sustainable Story Worksheet

Vineyard Team Programs:

• Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate
• Online Courses – DPR & CCA Hours
• 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

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 Owls
• 114: Designing a Vineyard for Year-Round Sheep Grazing
• 272: 30 Gophers a Night: Why Barn Owls Belong in Your Vineyard
• Cal Poly Animan Science Department
• George Gallagher
• George Gallagher |Amanote Research
• George Gallagher | Research Gate
• Tactical to Practical: The Human Component of Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution

Vineyard Team Programs:

• Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate
• Online Courses – DPR & CCA Hours
• 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

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 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 Lawyer
• Code of Federal Regulations - Food Labeling
• Code of Federal Regulations – Labeling and Advertising of Wine
• Dealcoholized Wine and Malt Beverages - Labeling
• Guidance for Industry: Food Labeling Guide
• Lindsey Zahn

Vineyard Team Programs:

• Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate
• Online Courses – DPR & CCA Hours
• 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

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

Online Courses – DPR & CCA Hours

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 Longevity
• 283: Developing Cold-Hardy Grapes with 23andMe Technology
• Agrivoltaics in the Vineyard
• Agrivoltaics in wine growing areas
• Are 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 research
• Grape Growth and Berry Development Under the Agrivoltaic System in Vineyards
• Manfred Stoll
• Soaking 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 Hours
• 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