🌱 Holistic Soil Health Tailgate | Join the Conversation in the Field 📅 Friday, May 8, 9-11 am at Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery What does soil health look like in practice? Join us in the field where growers, researchers, and industry professionals will come together to share what’s working. You’ll hear from: • Jenny Garley (Bio SI) — using sap sugar levels as a practical indicator of plant and soil health • Stewart Wilson, PhD (Cal Poly) — soil science insights grounded in current research • Mike Costello (Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative) — funding opportunities for cover crops and soil-building practices Plus, a grower panel featuring: • Bob Tillman (Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery) • John Howell (@Booker Vineyards) • Jordan Lonborg (Coastal Vineyard Care Associates) • Steve Vierra (Derby Wine Estates) This is a chance to hear directly from peers, ask questions, and walk away with ideas you can apply. Bring your questions—and your experience! 👉https://secure.qgiv.com/f

Building healthy soils is key to resilient vineyards—but how do you measure success, and which practices truly move the needle? Join us for an in-field discussion exploring soil health from multiple angles, starting with three presentations: Jenny Garley (Bio SI) will share insights on using sap sugar levels as a practical indicator of plant and soil health, highlighting how increased microbial activity (especially fungi) can boost photosynthesis and overall vineyard performance. Dr. Stewart Wilson (Cal Poly) will provide a soil science perspective, grounding the conversation in the latest research and field applications. Mike Costello (Oakville Bluegrass) will outline current funding and grant opportunities available to growers, with a focus on cover crops and soil-building practices. We’ll then transition to a grower panel led by host Bob Tillman, sharing real-world experience implementing regenerative practices. REGISTER

Wednesday, April 8 | 9-11 am | Soledad Mothballing a vineyard is a strategic decision to reduce costs during times of low grape demand or market uncertainty, while preserving long-term vineyard health and potential. This roundtable invites growers to share their experiences with mothballing—why they chose this route, what they hope to achieve, and what practices are (or aren’t) working. We’ll discuss the financial impacts, lessons learned, and when mothballing might no longer be necessary. Whether you’re considering this approach or already navigating it, join us for an open, practical discussion with your peers.   REGISTER Morning fuel sponsored by:

SIP Certified is stepping into 2026 with a refreshed brand and redesigned website aimed at making sustainably produced wines easier for consumers to recognize and find. The updated visual identity and digital experience strengthen the connection between certified winegrowers and today’s sustainability-minded wine buyers—while maintaining the independent, science-based standards that have defined the program for decades. Research shows that 64% of consumers rank environmental sustainability as a top buying factor. As interest in responsible farming and “better-for-you” products continues to grow, wine buyers are paying closer attention to how their wine is produced. “Buyers are looking more closely at how their wine is grown and produced,” said Beth Vukmanic, Executive Director of Vineyard Team, the parent organization of SIP Certified. “SIP Certified has always represented accountability and science-backed standards. This update ensures that c

When we launched the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast in 2016, we weren’t sure where it would go. Now, 300 episodes later, it’s become a go-to resource for growers, researchers, educators, and wine industry professionals dedicated to sustainability. To mark this milestone, we flipped the mic around and interviewed our host, Craig Macmillan, PhD — long-time vineyard and winery professional, educator, and now podcasting veteran — to reflect on some favorite episodes, meaningful moments, and what’s ahead. From Zoom Recordings to Global Reach Craig began hosting when the podcast was just an idea sparked by the Vineyard Team’s goal to make sustainable winegrowing knowledge more accessible. “I wasn't a podcast listener at all,” Craig admits. “But I said sure, why not? Let's try it.” Since then, the show has featured scientists, growers, and innovators from all over the world, creating a ripple effect of conversations and c

Make sure your staff knows their college and trade school-bound students are eligible to apply for the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship. This community-funded program helps college students achieve their dreams. Applicant or applicant’s parent/guardian must be employed or contracted by the California vineyard and winery industry. Easily share how to apply by posting the flyer and including the paycheck inserts (English and Spanish) next payroll.  Applications are accepted from February 2 through March 31. Meet Juan The program is named in honor of Juan Nevarez, a beloved member of the Central Coast winegrape industry, whose kindness, expertise, and passion shaped many local vineyards. Nevarez spent a lifetime working every job he could gathering knowledge that eventually enabled him to start his own vineyard management company, Nevarez Farm Labor, and own his own eighty-acre vineyard. Although Juan struggled to read and write himself, he dreamed of higher ed

Presented by Vineyard Team, the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast continued to be a go‑to resource for vineyard and winery professionals, delivering timely, practical insights straight from researchers and growers shaping the future of sustainable viticulture. From hybrid grapes and soil health to AI‑driven climate strategies and market dynamics, last year’s five most listened‑to episodes offered information listeners can apply immediately in their operations.  Beyond Foxy: The Case for Hybrid Winegrapes Episode 274 | Listen now  Forget everything you thought you knew about hybrid grapes. Adam Huss (Centralas Cellars) makes the case for these resilient, quality-driven varieties and why they’re gaining traction in a warming world.  Fungicide Resistance in Powdery and Downy Mildew: 10 Years of Vineyard Research Episode 278 | Listen now  Ismail Ahmed Ismail (South Australian Research and Development Institute) unpacks a decade of data on fungicide resist

Our Exhibitor community is growing stronger than ever with the return of many of our fantastic Business Members, as well as some exciting new faces! Wondering who you'll meet at the Sustainable Ag Expo this year? Check out the exhibitor map to see who will be there and where you can find them. Come network with these sustainable ag professionals and get up to date on the ever-changing practices, research, and innovations in viticulture and ag business.     Pssst! Want all the event details in one place? Visit the FAQ page to get answers to your Expo questions. Still have questions? Reach out to Hayli@vineyardteam.org

The Sustainable Ag Expo isn’t just about earning CE hours—it’s a gathering place for wine industry professionals to learn, network, and celebrate the future of sustainable farming. From morning burritos to student-led research and vintage tractor showcases, this year’s Expo is packed with unique opportunities to make your experience more meaningful and memorable. Here are six can't-miss events happening alongside the seminars: 1. Monday Kick Off: Farming for the Future 🗓️ Monday, Nov 10 | 5:00–7:00 PM 📍 Center of Effort Winery Sponsored by Inland Desert Nursery Start your week with an evening of connection, SIP Certified wines, and gourmet hors d’oeuvres. Expo headliner Dr. Chris Chen, will lead a forward-looking conversation on vineyard management in a changing climate. 🎟️ Free for ticket holders (while supplies last), requires separate reservation; additional tickets $50.  2. Breakfast Burritos & Coffee = Day 1 Fuel 🗓

Growing up in the small town of Shandon, CA, Alberto was told that success might be out of reach. But working side by side with his father in the vineyards, he learned that dreams are worth fighting for. After graduating high school with honors, Alberto earned a welding certificate at Cuesta College and continued his education at Fresno State University with the help of the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship. There, he discovered a passion for viticulture, excelled in his field, and built a strong professional network that helped shape his career. Now a college graduate and pursuing a master’s degree, Alberto is reaching another milestone: presenting his thesis at the 2025 Sustainable Ag Expo! Don't Miss Alberto’s Presentation: Sulfur Application Frequency Effects on Yield and Anthocyanins in Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon Discover how different frequencies of dusting, flowable and wettable sulfur applications influence yield and anthocyanin development in bilateral