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

“Every experience in my academic journey starts with a single fact: I am the first in my family to continue my education.”— Denise, Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholar, Yale University First-generation college students like Denise don’t just pack up and head to school—they carry big dreams, heavy responsibilities, and the quiet courage to be the first. They often navigate college on their own, juggling tight budgets, unfamiliar systems, and the emotional challenge of leaving home. But when someone believes in them, everything changes. The Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship was created to do exactly that—by offering financial support and mentorship to the children of vineyard and winery workers. It’s not just a scholarship; it’s a bridge to a better future. And it's working: our scholars are graduating, thriving, and giving back to their communities. --- Denise's Journey to Yale As the first in her family to attend college, Denise h

To conclude a year defined by forward-thinking practices and community engagement, we at Vineyard Team proudly share an annual review to highlight our industry’s significant achievements and ongoing commitment to sustainable winegrowing. In 2024, we hosted 8 Tailgates and 2 collaborative events across 3 counties, offering over 20 continuing education (CE) hours to growers and ag professionals. These events strengthened the sense of community, supported five local coffee shops, and fostered the formation of countless new friendships. November’s annual Sustainable Ag Expo included: 531 attendees 63 exhibitors 3 special networking opportunities 16 in-person seminars 13 online courses 29 hours of continuing education  147 attendees experienced streamlined DPR reporting through a collaboration with CE Reported. All attendees enjoyed 38 gallons of coffee, 205 donuts, 26 bottles of wine, and 600 ounces of beer in the event’s lively and engaging atm

Lange Twins has implemented individual regenerative practices but now they are asking, what would happen if they stacked them? Kendra Altnow, Sustainability Manager at Lange Twins Family Winery & Vineyards and a 5th generation Lange shares Project Terra. The goals are to increase biodiversity, build and enrich the soil and improve watersheds through shifting farming practices, restoration, and conservation. They are accomplishing this through grazing livestock, establishing permeant ground cover, reducing tillage, improving native habitat, and reducing reliance on herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. LISTEN IN Resources:         REGISTER | June 12, 2024 : Regenerative Agriculture in a Production Vineyard 2.0 Tailgate 121: Regenerative Agriculture (Rebroadcast) BIFS Field Day Cover Cropping and Livestock Grazing for Regenerative Agriculture Blue Point Conservation Science California Department of Farming and Agriculture Center for Land Based Learning Commun

Trying to manage the weeds in your vineyard? John Roncoroni, Weed Science Farm Advisor Emeritus with the University of California Cooperative Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resources covers control practices including biological, mechanical, cultural, chemical, and perhaps in the future, electrocution. Although weeds rarely compete with vines, they can host insect and vertebrate pests and get in the way of pruning crews, increasing labor costs. Listen in for John’s number one tip to better manage weeds in your vineyard. LISTEN IN Resources:           128: A New Focus on Weed Management (Rebroadcast) 26th IPM Seminar #1: Sustainable Weed Management for Vineyards and Vineyard Ponds Herbicide-resistant weeds challenge some signature cropping systems (Journal article) John Roncoroni MAINTAINING LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT: Herbicide-resistant weeds challenge some signature cropping systems Post-harvest Weed Control with Napa RCD and John Roncoroni (video) Sus

LISTEN IN Businesses are vital contributors to the communities they serve. Beyond stimulating the economy and creating jobs, many business owners go the extra mile by creating a meaningful philanthropy program. Their efforts profoundly impact facets of the community that need support the most. Welcome to Marketing Tip Monday with SIP Certified. We know customers are looking for wines labeled as sustainable. While our longer-form episodes help you learn about the latest science and research for the wine industry, these twice-monthly micro podcasts will help you share your dedication to sustainable winegrowing so you can show your customers that you share their values. Meaningful corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies give businesses the opportunity to connect with community members, improve company culture, and cultivate consumer trust, all while doing good for causes they believe in. This week’s Marketing Tip tells the Sustainable Story of how Oso Libre

In the 1880s, Pierce’s disease caused a devastating, total collapse of the Southern California grapevine industry. Today, growers have hope for the future thanks to new varieties. Adam Tolmach, owner of Ojai Vineyard, planted four of these new varieties as a field trial on a plot of land where Pierce's disease wiped out his grapes in 1995.  Pierce’s disease is a bacterium spread by insects, typically a sharpshooter. One bite and the vine dies within two to three years. To develop resistant varieties, Andy Walker of the University of California at Davis crossed the European grape Vitis vinifera with Vitis arizonica. 20 years later, commercial growers have access to three red and two white varieties. Listen in to learn how Tolmach’s experiment is a success both in the vineyard and with customers. Plus get tasting notes for the new varieties. LISTEN IN Resources:         REGISTER: The Ins & Outs of Developing a New Vineyard Site 89: New

225: California’s Ban on Autonomous Tractors An antiquated California law makes using autonomous equipment in the vineyard challenging. Michael Miiller, Director of Government Relations at the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) explains that workplace safety standards developed in the 1970s based on 1940s equipment state that self-driven tractors must have an operator onboard. To update this law, CAWG is working closely with manufacturers and countries that allow autonomous equipment to aggregate data on safety. Automation has many potential benefits to farm workers including developing transferable skills, upward mobility, precision agriculture, and increased safety. Learn about how the law works today and about funding opportunities to train staff. LISTEN IN Resources:         117: Grapevine Mildew Control with UV Light 120: Autonomous Drone Vineyard Spraying 219: Intelligent Sprayers to Improve Fungicide Applications and Save Money Californ

When asked to define the 3 P's of Sustainability (People, Planet, Prosperity), Prosperity is often the one gives people pause. But it's such an important leg of the stool! Sustainable businesses develop long-term plans and strategies to ensure they can thrive now and into the future. Welcome to Marketing Tip Monday with SIP Certified. We know customers are looking for wines labeled as sustainable. While our longer-form episodes help you learn about the latest science and research for the wine industry, these twice-monthly micro podcasts will help you share your dedication to sustainable winegrowing so you can show your customers that you share their values. LISTEN IN Some of the ways businesses embody Prosperity are through: Creating and sticking to a budget. Keeping thorough records. Creating informed and effective marketing plans. A business can also extend their prosperity through collaborative efforts with like-minded groups. When this happens, bot

Help Nancy Achieve Mission Graduation Our community gave the gift of higher education to 18 deserving students last year. Here is an update on one of the scholars that the community's past generosity is currently benefiting. Every Friday at 4 am, Nancy wakes to the buzz of her alarm. In the dark, she throws on her running shoes, grabs a quick cup of coffee, and heads to the UC Berkeley track field. In the dewy grass, she joins fellow members of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) to train for the next 5 to 8 hours. Nancy was inspired to serve her community in the sixth grade when her father got extremely sick. At the hospital, she saw firsthand how wonderful nurses care for the critically ill. As her father recovered under the staff’s watchful care, Nancy knew how she wanted to give back. Thanks to your generosity, she is attending Hartnell College to pursue her lifelong goal of earning a degree in Nursing. She maintains an exceptional 3.8 cumulative GPA