Declining groundwater levels and increasing pressure under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act are changing how California wine growers think about water. What was once largely an operational concern is now directly tied to long-term viability, regulatory compliance, and sustainability planning. These issues were front and center during a session at the 2025 WIN Expo, where vineyard operators, hydrologists, and county leaders discussed how groundwater management is evolving and what growers can do to stay ahead. Moderated by Val King, Director of Channel Partnerships at Verdi, the session underscored a clear reality. There is no single solution, but there is a shift toward local control, better data, and practical changes in vineyard management. SGMA Was Built to Be Local, Not One-Size-Fits-All Your browser does not support HTML5 video. SGMA is often misunderstood as a rigid, top-down mandate. In reality, it was designed around California’s variability in geology, climate

Smart Solutions, Resilient Vineyards, and the Future of Farming WIN Expo sessions dedicated to Vineyard innovation, sustainability, and the technologies reshaping grape growing. The challenges facing today’s winegrowers are more complex than ever - from rising costs and labor shortages to shifting regulations and climate pressures. At this year’s WIN Expo, the Vineyard & Grower Conference Sessions, sponsored by Verdi,  deliver practical insights and proven solutions to help you adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving environment. Through expert-led presentations, attendees will gain strategies for assessing ag tech investments, managing groundwater security, and turning vineyard identity into a marketing advantage. Whether you’re a vineyard owner, manager, or supplier, these discussions will equip you with the tools to build efficiency, resilience, and long-term success. The AgTech Investment Dilemma: Determining Which Tech Solutions Meet Your Needs Agric

Learn how data-driven approaches can provide accurate, real-time data that supports long-term groundwater sustainability & better decision-making, and improves recharge outcomes. Groundwater recharge is a crucial strategy for managing water resources sustainably, making the ability to monitor and manage recharge efforts in real time more important than ever. Join our free 45-minute Thought Leader webinar to learn how data-driven approaches can provide accurate, real-time data that supports better decision-making, improves recharge outcomes, and supports long-term groundwater sustainability. Presented by Kassy Chauhan, Special Projects Manager at Fresno Irrigation District (FID) and Executive Officer of the North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), and Christopher Lundeen, Engineering Technician III at FID. Webinar Topics  An overview of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the development of GSAs Implementing and leveraging monitoring

A case study on using irrigation automation to conserve water, cut energy use, and elevate vineyard performance.  CHANDON has consistently demonstrated innovation in environmental practices, resource efficiency, and community engagement, setting a new benchmark for sustainable viticulture. The California Green Medal Awards were established in 2014 to recognize vineyards and wineries that lead the industry in the areas of environment, economic development and social equity.  As we all work towards a more sustainable future of agriculture, this recognition highlights the effort of vintners and winegrape growers striving to protect the environment and enrich the community. CHANDON’s 2025 California Green Medal Environment Award CHANDON’s Carneros vineyards are irrigated using a combination of surface water and reclaimed water sourced from the City of Sonoma, while the Yountville site relies primarily on recycled water from the winery’s own wastewater tr

 The Case for Propane: Efficient Heating Solutions for Wineries For wineries operating in colder climates, maintaining consistent indoor temperatures is not just a matter of comfort—it is essential to ensuring the integrity and quality of the wine. As wineries seek sustainable and cost-effective heating solutions, propane emerges as a compelling choice, offering efficiency, reliability, and environmental benefits. Ensuring Consistent Temperature Control Temperature stability is one of the most critical factors in winemaking. Fermentation requires precise temperature regulation to achieve desired flavor profiles and prevent spoilage. Similarly, storage areas must remain within optimal temperature ranges to preserve wine quality. Propane heaters offer an immediate and controllable heat source, ensuring that winery environments remain stable regardless of external weather conditions. Unlike electric heating, which can be susceptible to grid reliability issues, propane provides

Automation: What We Know and What We are Learning Sustainable Ag Expo   I   November 12    I    4:30-5:00 pm Don't miss this seminar at the Sustainable Ag Expo in November!  Grant Cremers (Delicato Family Vineyards) will talk about a grower’s perspective on automation in the vineyard: Get insights into your most pressing questions including deciding what to automate, how to manage the transition and expectations, and what autonomous tractor work looks like today. Stick around after the session for Sustainable Gear & Beer! Get tickets here! --- Grant Cremers has been growing winegrapes on the central coast for 30 years. He has had the opportunity to learn from his time as a field scout, PCA, Vineyard Manager, Vineyard Director, and now Vineyard and Winery General Manager. He has made time to participate in our industry and community, including serving as past Board Member of the Vineyard Team, past Chair of the Ag Advisory Committee

Want to know what is new with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)? Get the latest information on implementation, cost, land repurposing, fallowing, and demand management for sustainability plans in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties.  When: Tuesday, July 16, 9:00-10:30 am Where: Vina Robles Hospitality Center, 3700 Mill Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446 REGISTER

Come join us for the SCVTG Irrigation Masterclass at Shone Farm! Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned veteran, this event is perfect for anyone looking to improve their irrigation skill set. A half day program will cover all the aspects, and available technology, for enhancing your irrigation decision making process, data tracking, record keeping, and water smart conservation practices, designed to drive quality, improve yields, enhance your bottom line, and feed you (Lunch included!). We’ll see you there! Agenda - June 6, 2024 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Check-in & Registration 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM – Brian Rahn – Coastal Viticultural Consultants: Site influences / Irrigation influence on wine quality 10:45 AM – 11:00 AM – Pamela Van Halsema – Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Agencies: Voluntary Groundwater Level Monitoring Program 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Mark Greenspan – Advanced

Napa County, Calif., May 14, 2024 – Lumo, a connected irrigation company that helps growers save time, money, and water with patented smart-valve technology, has raised a $7 million funding round from Active Impact Investments and Fall Line Capital. The funding will enable Lumo to continue investing in product research and development, and rapid go-to-market expansion, bringing truly accountable technology to every element of irrigation operations and delivering on Lumo’s mission to help protect the future of farming. Dozens of world renowned growers in Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Coast are already using Lumo One smart valves to automate their irrigation, monitor flow rates remotely, and gain better visibility into the performance of their irrigation systems. “As labor costs continue to rise, groundwater regulations continue to pass, and the impacts of climate change continue to be felt, time is of the essence,” said Devon Wright, Lumo’s C