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

Efficient irrigation starts with understanding exactly how much water your crop is using and how much it really needs. That’s where evapotranspiration (ET) comes in: the combined loss of water through evaporation (from soil and surface) and transpiration (used by the crop). By matching irrigation to ET, growers can reduce waste, improve yields, and make smarter use of limited water resources. With SGMA (the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act) now in full effect across California, it is more important than ever that growers irrigate with precision and are able to prove it with efficient record keeping.  If you’ve ever asked yourself: “How much of my irrigation is actually reaching the root zone?” You’re not alone. This article breaks down how soil moisture monitoring and real-time irrigation control using HotSpot AG tools can give you clear, actionable answers. Monitoring Soil Moisture and Irrigation While evapotranspiration (ET) tells you how muc

Building Upon a Strong Foundation  The Verdi Block Controller is our most popular product for a reason: it makes it easy and affordable for any grower to access labor-saving irrigation automation technology and start getting results in just one day. The Verdi Block Controller is a wireless, battery-powered device that brings remote control and monitoring to agricultural irrigation valves and pumps. Paired with the Verdi Dashboard and wireless soil moisture probes, it unlocks powerful features like irrigation flow verification, text alerts, sensor automation, and set-based scheduling — everything designed to help growers save labor and improve productivity. Introducing the Next Generation This major update builds on four years of in-field reliability and grower partnerships with upgrades to make the Block Controller even more dependable, easy to use, and capable: Gain complete visibility into your equipment: Confirms your solenoid actually fired and your wire isn’t seve

“Food disconnect” is a term used to describe the average consumer’s lack of knowledge about where their food comes from and how it’s made. When it comes to wine, most consumers only see the finished product in the grocery store or tasting room! While everyday agricultural practices may feel ordinary to you, these topics are fascinating to the average consumer, who likely has little to no insight into the block to bottle process behind their glass of wine. Describing specific practices and why they are important helps customers understand the time and care that went into producing their wine. Sharing your unique story welcomes them to take part in the good feelings that come from supporting a business that is doing better for the people and the planet. People care about social and environmental issues, and want to support brands that share their values and do something about it. This week’s Marketing Tip tells the inspiring Sustainable Story of how Bi

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

"GROUNDWATER . You can't see it, but millions of Californians depend upon it as a vital source of water for their homes and businesses." Those are not my words but the introductory words for the promotional video that appears on the SGMA (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act) website1 . The statement is a rather simply worded way to convey the obvious: that groundwater is vital to our livelihood here in California, and especially important to honoring and sustaining our agricultural heritage. While groundwater provides needed sustenance for numerous rural, as well as urban communities, it is agriculture that demands the lion's share of the resource. Central Valley agriculture turns to groundwater pumping whenever drought or poor rainfall years reduce the availability of surface water deliveries. Cries for construction of more reservoirs to capture and store more stormwater and snowmelt so that canals can be filled with more water are always being heard. Yet, apart f

Atascadero, CA: Vineyard Team announces their 2024 events, including 6 in-person Tailgate meetings and the Sustainable Ag Expo. Tailgate meetings are in-person educational events (field demonstrations and discussions) where attendees visit a property and hear from experts and growers on a given topic. Topics range from irrigation and pest management, to soil health, and safety training. Growers have the opportunity to join the conversation and talk directly with presenters to learn how to adopt sustainable farming practices in their vineyards. Plus, many Tailgates include DPR and CCA continuing education hours. New this year, Vineyard Team and Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA) will be co-hosting a half-day seminar on sustainable energy for the wine industry. At Power Up: Sustainable Energy for the Wine Industry, attendees will hear practical discussions focused on the energy use of vineyard and winery operations, efficiency, cost, and the future. Experts will discuss topi