Join Vineyard Team and Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance for a focused half-day 2026 Industry Update designed to help you navigate what’s happening now—and what’s coming next! Hear directly from industry experts as they break down the trends, risks, and opportunities shaping grape growing in 2026. 📅 Wednesday, May 20 | 9:00 am-12:00 pm; tickets include lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm ➡️ at Springhill Suites in Atascadero 🎟️ Reserve your spot* >>> https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2026tailgatesevents/event/2026-industry-update/ --- Event sessions include: 📊Grape Market Update & Industry Outlook Get clarity on what’s happening in the grape market and what it means for your operation: - Key trends shaping pricing and demand - Vineyard removals and supply outlook - What to expect in the next 12+ months Speakers: Audra Cooper & Eddie Urman (Turrentine Brokerage) --- 💰 Grants & Funding Opportunities Panel Learn how to access and successfully use available funding: - Where to

🌱 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

Join Vineyard Team and Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance for a half-day Industry Update bringing together growers, experts, and advocates for a timely pulse check on grape markets, grower resources, and state-level developments shaping our region in 2026. This ticketed* event includes lunch and will feature: Grape Market Update & Industry Outlook – A look at current bulk wine and grape market trends, supply and demand dynamics, and what they mean for your business decisions this season. Grants & Funding Opportunities Panel – Moderated by an experienced grower, this conversation brings together funding and program specialists who work directly with agricultural grants and cost-share programs. Learn what opportunities are available, how to position your operation for success, and what makes a strong application. Policy & Advocacy Update – Michael Miiller of the California Association of Winegrape Growers shares key statewide developments and policy prioriti

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

Tour Condor’s Hope Vineyard in the Cuyama Valley and see how a dry-farmed vineyard can succeed in an arid landscape. Steve Gliessman will share insights on vineyard design, rootstock selection, and establishment practices that help set vines up for long-term resilience. Learn how soil cultivation techniques can maximize storage of limited rainfall, along with other farming practices tailored to this unique site. Transportation is provided. Please select the carpool transportation option when registering if you plan to ride with the group. Itinerary: 8:00-9:00 am - Pick up at Santa Maria Speedway 9:00-11:00 am - Tour at Condor's Hope Vineyard 11:00 am-12:00 pm - Drop off at Santa Maria Speedway REGISTER   Pick up location for carpool transportation: Santa Maria Speedway, 1900 Hutton Rd, Nipomo, CA 93444     This meeting is funded by the Department of Water Resources and is a collaboration between CSWA and CAFF.  &nbs

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