Join us for "Insights on New Growing Techniques from the 2025 Season." When it comes to innovation in the vineyard, theory is easy. Implementation is not. That’s why the first session of the 2026 Growing Forward Virtual Conference brings together four respected vineyard leaders who have already done the work. Join us this Wednesday, where we'll hear from the early adopters who will share their firsthand experiences, including what delivered measurable results, what proved challenging, what caught them by surprise, and what they would do differently next time. Bring your questions. Add your perspective. Join a conversation designed to help growers move forward with confidence. Session Panel: Tony Chapman, Senior Director of Winegrowing / The Donum Estate Ryan Maier, Owner & Operator / Maier Vineyard Management Matt Merrill, General Manager / Mesa Vineyard Management Patrick Riggs, Vice President of Viticulture / Jack Neal and Son Vineyard Management This Wednesd

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

Maintaining wine balance in a changing climate Climate change is reshaping the wine industry. In many wine regions, each year seems to set new records for the hottest or driest growing season, followed by the earliest harvest dates yet. Such accelerated ripening is disrupting grape physiology; phenolic and aromatic development fall out of sync, sugar levels soar, and acidity drops away (1). So how can we adapt and build a more resilient wine sector? The answer to this question is multifaceted. In the vineyards, grape growers are rethinking their management practices, adjusting canopy architecture, introducing shading or optimising irrigation (1,2). Some are reaching for higher altitudes or moving further from the equator in search of cooler conditions (1). Others are trialling alternative heat- and drought-tolerant varieties, from long-forgotten cultivars to newly bred plant material. In the cellars, winemakers may turn to pragmatic solutions such as dilution or blending strategi

Supply-demand alignment: Signs of progress? “All will be hoping 2025 is the year sales stabilization finally arrives,” the California Report stated in January. Unfortunately, those hopes were not realized, and case-good sales have continued to be fragile. As a consequence, California’s bulk wine market has remained lackluster even after a 2025 harvest widely expected to have been smaller than last year’s twenty-year low of 2.88 million tons. This month’s report relays what wines have been receiving buyer interest and at what pricing, and considers whether – after two consecutive very light crops and widespread vineyard removals – some bulk supplies are finally becoming better aligned with demand. As every month, the Ciatti bulk inventory charts by total volume and by varietal are updated, and the report carries some of the latest consumption indicators from our friends at SipSource. We suggest that now could be considered a “strategicall

Wine Industry Network (WIN) hosted the 13th Annual North Coast Wine Industry Trade Show & Conference (WIN Expo) at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and Event Center on Thursday, December 4. The WIN Expo, the largest trade show and conference focused on the North Coast Wine Industry, featured 12 conference sessions focused on Strategy & Leadership, Winemaking, Sales & Marketing and Vineyard & Growers. All four tracks presented interactive sessions to facilitate greater subject immersion, insights and value for the attendees, as expert panels of industry thought leaders and innovators shared their ideas, information and predictions to help attendees better prepare for the coming year. The event featured a trade show that hosted nearly 250 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge products and services available including 20+ new innovative companies. In addition, the event features educational conference sessions, as well as additional attendee attractions such as an outdoor equi

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

AI and computer vision are unlocking the next frontier in precision viticulture At the North Coast Wine Industry Expo on December 4, Charlie Wu, CEO & Founder of Vineyard Robotics, will reveal how cutting-edge technology is giving growers real-time insights that drive smarter, more profitable decisions. What You'll Learn Charlie will dive into real-world examples of AI applications working in vineyards right now: Yield predictions for better resource allocation Canopy health monitoring to optimize fruit quality Disease detection that catches problems early Accurate inventories that eliminate guesswork This isn't theory—it's actionable technology that's helping growers reduce costs, improve efficiency, and gain a competitive advantage in challenging times. Attend for Free This session is free to attend with your trade show pass. Use promo code VIN415 for a FREE trade show pass to the WIN Expo and make sure to stop by Vineyard Robotics booth 415.  Whe

Herti is excited to announce its participation in the 2025 North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo), taking place on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California. As a leading manufacturer of aluminum closures for the wine and spirits industry, Herti will be exhibiting at Booth 441, where it will present its latest innovations in packaging technology. WIN Expo is the second-largest wine industry trade show in North America, offering winery and vineyard professionals access to nearly 300 of the industry’s top suppliers and service providers. The event is a hub for discovering cutting-edge products and services, and Herti is proud to be part of this dynamic showcase. Visitors to Herti’s booth can expect to: •          Explore our full range of customizable aluminum closures tailored for wine producers •          Learn about our sustainable packaging solutions that align with

Mays Chemical will be attending the Wine Expo in Dec.  Please contact Tinus Els and Peter Vallis to schedule a meeting. North Coast Wine Industry Expo ~ Trade Show & Conference The Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo) is the largest trade show and conference focused on Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties, and is the 2nd largest wine industry show in North America. Established in 2012 by Wine Industry Network, WIN Expo is considered a must-attend event and has become an integral part of the North Coast wine industry with more than 3,000 wine professionals attending each year. The trade show features nearly 300 exhibitors presenting the latest products and services available along with a robust educational conference focusing on four distinct tracks, Production & Winemaking, Sales & Marketing, Strategy & Leadership, and Vineyard & Growers. The event is hosted at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA, 9:00am - 4:00pm, on Thursday, Decem