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

In this WIN Insiders episode, George interviews Beth Vukmanic, Executive Director of Vineyard Team and manager of the SIP Certified sustainable vineyard and winery certification programs. Beth shares her fascinating journey from professional harpist (and being born in a Volkswagen Rabbit!) to leading one of California’s most important sustainability initiatives. She explains how Vineyard Team, founded in 1994 by progressive growers, promotes sustainable farming through education, collaboration, and the SIP Certified program that emphasizes accountability in social equity, soil health, water efficiency, and habitat preservation. Beth discusses the program’s evolution from a 1996 self-assessment checklist to a comprehensive certification now spanning California, Michigan, and Oregon, plus its growing market value as consumers demand sustainably produced wines. She also shares her passion for fitness through her “Beth Size” brand and highlights the One of Ours Me

The Vineyard Team's Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Published in Wine Business Monthly February 1, 2025 The Vineyard Team, a non-profit organization, has been around for 30 years, and from the beginning its focus has been on providing education in sustainable winegrowing. "Something that we talk about a lot is the three P's: people, planet and prosperity. The scholarship program is our way of giving back to the people," explained Beth Vukmanic, The Vineyard Team executive director. "And it's really just been wonderful to see it grow over time." Launching in 2015 with money raised from a food and wine event, the scholarship program has since grown, awarding a total of $350,000 in scholarship funds. SHARE THIS OPPORTUNITY Funds for the program now come from direct donations to the scholarship. In 2022 Must! Charities-a Paso Robles-based non-profit that helps fundraise and support programs in the area-decided to make an investment in The Vineyard Team'

Tune into Up + Adam to hear Vineyard Team Executive Director, Beth Vukmanic, talk all-things Scholarship! LISTEN IN "...We have an inspiring conversation with Beth Vukmanic from the Vineyard Team, an organization dedicated to promoting sustainable farming practices and supporting the education of vineyard and farm worker families. Beth talks about their impactful scholarship program, now in collaboration with Must Charities, which helps young men and women, often the first in their families to attend college, by providing financial aid and mentorship. This program supports students whether they're pursuing a four-year degree, a two-year degree, or vocational training, setting them up for success. For more information on their initiatives and how they're making a difference, visit the Vineyard Team Website (https://www.vineyardteam.org)."

Vineyard Team is excited to announce that exhibitor booths for the 2024 Sustainable Ag Expo (Expo) are officially sold out, underscoring the event's standing as a premier gathering for the sustainable winegrowing community. This year, the Expo is set to showcase an impressive lineup of 63 sustainable agriculture vendors, each bringing innovative solutions and products aimed at advancing sustainable practices within the industry. In addition to the comprehensive vendor showcase, the 2024 Sustainable Ag Expo offers an enriched educational program. Attendees can look forward to an array of trending topics presented by leading experts in the field from Oregon State University, UC Davis, CDFA, and more. The program is designed to not only impart knowledge but also to spark discussions that propel the industry forward.  Some of the topics covered at  year’s event include: High-resolution vineyard nutrient management Red blotch virus management Using biochar to combat c

Since 2016, farmers, winemakers, and wine enthusiasts have listened to the latest science and research for the wine industry from the world's top experts and experienced growers via the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast. In the time it takes to drive between vineyards, listeners enjoy technical episodes featuring expert discussions covering every aspect of wine business from microbes for soil health to designing a vineyard for sheep grazing, and from barrier sprays for smoke taint to using satellites to detect diseases. New technical interviews are released the first and third Thursday of the month. In 2022, Vineyard Team added Marketing Tip Mondays to the lineup of monthly releases. Searches for sustainable goods have increased globally by 71% since 2016. As consumer demand for sustainable wines grows, brands want to know how to communicate their good work in the marketplace. These under-five-minute micro podcasts released on the second and fourth Monday of the month give quic

Cheer to 30 Years! Thanks to our supporters and members, Vineyard Team has grown from a grassroots organization to a multi-award-winning leader in the sustainability movement. Since 1994, the non-profit has served farmers, winemakers, and industry partners by creating an educational network with the leadership of its staff and board of directors. We value your support over the last three decades and will continue to help you cultivate valuable relationships. Here is a Quarterly Update from our Executive Director, Beth Vukmanic: Events coming up in 2024… In 2023, we had 372 attendees at 8 Tailgates hosted by 7 venues (including one Webinar). 3/14 | Power Up: Sustainable Energy 4/10 | Vine to Wine Water Treatment 4/12 | Fungicide Spraying: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint & Financial Burden 5/15 | The Ins & Outs of Developing a New Vineyard Site Get registered for all of this year's Tailgates today.  Regulatory Relief Managers of SIP Certified vineyards can save ti

211: Vineyard Nutrient Management Across the United States When it comes to nutrition in your vineyard, you need to know the environment that your vineyard is planted in including mineral nutrition, soil microbes, nitrogen from rainwater, and nutrients or potentially salt from well water. Fritz Westover, Host of the Vineyard Underground Podcast and Founder of Virtual Viticulture Academy shares a big-picture approach for nutrient management that is practical for any grower. He covers: Why it is important to test tissue both at bloom and veraison How to take tissue samples When macro and micronutrient additions are most essential If you are a long-time Member of our organization then you probably remember Fritz from his days with Vineyard Team in 2013 and 2014. We are thrilled to have Fritz back on air with us for the third time. Plus, I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on his podcast, Vineyard Underground. Search for episode 034: Why Sustainability Certification Programs for

A Wine Industry Resource for Technical Interviews and Marketing Tips Atascadero, CA: The Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team podcast celebrates its 200th episode. Since 2016, farmers, winemakers, and wine enthusiasts have listened to the latest science and research for the wine industry from the world's top experts and experienced growers. Interviews with industry professionals including Terry Bates of Cornell University, Akif Eskalen Cooperative Extension Specialist at the University of California at Davis, and Kelly Mulville of Paicines Ranch give listeners insight into current and relevant topics in the field of sustainable winegrowing. In the time it takes to drive between vineyards, listeners enjoy technical episodes featuring expert discussions covering every aspect of wine business from microbes for soil health to designing a vineyard for sheep grazing, and from barrier sprays for smoke taint to using satellites to detect diseases. New technical interviews are release

Celebrating 15 Years of SIP Certified Over 47k acres of certified vineyards, 5 wineries, and 60.3m bottles Nearly 30 years ago, a small group of like-minded grape growers started a nonprofit to guide and educate the industry toward sustainability. Today, one of the groups’ award-winning programs, SIP Certified, is recognized as the gold standard program for sustainable winegrowing.  In 1996, this group, known as Vineyard Team, wrote the first self-assessment for sustainable vineyard farming: The Positive Points System (PPS). By completing the PPS year after year, growers would evaluate and improve their sustainable practices on every level, from habitat protection to water conservation, soil health to human resources. Consumer demand to understand how their wine was made compelled the group to transform the self-assessment tool into an official certification program. Their goal was to develop a rigorous, third-party verified program so vineyard stewards could be confident t