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

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

Ever wished work orders could create themselves? You know exactly what needs to be done, but turning that clear plan into a detailed work order takes digging through notes, typing it all out, and far too much of your time. Meet Barry, Blended’s artificial intelligence designed specifically for wine production, and the newest member of your team. Barry is a digital assistant built to streamline your winery’s operations. In seconds, Barry can answer questions, record data, and write work orders for your team. The goal? To make you more efficient, so you can spend more time focused on crafting exquisite wines. Barry lives within your instance of the Blended platform and is fully attuned to your winery’s unique processes. Think of it as your go-to expert, always ready to: Answer Questions Barry makes information retrieval a breeze. Simply ask, “Show me my chardonnays,” and Barry will display your current chardonnay lots along with relevant details. Simplify

Have you read the State of Wine Business Health Report from our friends at InnoVint yet? InnoVint surveyed 453 wineries about a variety of parameters to get a pulse on the health of the wine industry. The entire report is full of interesting observations that can be used to make improvements in your winery. There are a few points that particularly stood out to us at Admeo. We are thrilled to see that "64% of wineries with excellent operational health use more technology compared to their peers" and that "66% of wineries with excellent operational health are more data-driven". These numbers show how important it is to embrace technology.  For the 5 Tenets of a Healthy Wine Business, we are thrilled to see how vital it is to rely on data that comes from the best technology. We couldn't agree more how crucial it is to "empower your team with right tools and technology, from vineyard to production to sales and finance." This is a terrific repo

Automation: What We Know and What We are Learning Sustainable Ag Expo   I   November 12    I    4:30-5:00 pm Don't miss this seminar at the Sustainable Ag Expo in November!  Grant Cremers (Delicato Family Vineyards) will talk about a grower’s perspective on automation in the vineyard: Get insights into your most pressing questions including deciding what to automate, how to manage the transition and expectations, and what autonomous tractor work looks like today. Stick around after the session for Sustainable Gear & Beer! Get tickets here! --- Grant Cremers has been growing winegrapes on the central coast for 30 years. He has had the opportunity to learn from his time as a field scout, PCA, Vineyard Manager, Vineyard Director, and now Vineyard and Winery General Manager. He has made time to participate in our industry and community, including serving as past Board Member of the Vineyard Team, past Chair of the Ag Advisory Committee

LISTEN IN to Sustainable Winegrowing's Marketing Tip Monday! What does it mean to farm sustainably? Sustainable farming is a collection of practices spanning from water and energy conservation, to soil health and biodiversity, and social equity. There are so many examples of sustainability in action to point to right outside of your window: Native landscaping: minimal irrigation and maintenance needs. Cover crops: promote soil health and provide refuge for beneficial insects. Alternative energy sources: reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Owl boxes & raptor perches: birds of prey feast on vertebrate pests. One topic that sustainable farmers get asked about often is pest management. In this Sustainable Story Marketing Tip, learn how Presqu’ile Vineyards utilizes technology to manage bird pests in a more environmentally and economically sustainable way. Safely Keeping Birds at Bay Birds like finches and starlings are common vineyard pests. They damage fruit and canopies,

221: Future Proof Your Wine Business |with Omnichannel Communication While the tradition of wine is still important to how we connect with customers, the way that we communicate has changed. David Avrin, President of The Customer Experience Advantage explains why brands must have an omnichannel approach to their customer communication. Identify which channels are most valuable to your business by defining your core audience. Then find out what they watch, what they read, and where they recreate. Use these insights to harness the technology that your customers use whether it’s snail mail or TikTok. David reminds us that there is no shame in not being comfortable with technology but there is no excuse to not work with a technology native who does understand the platforms that best reach your audience. LISTEN IN Resources:         82: Getting to Know Your Wine Customer 85: It‘s Time for New Wine Sales Strategies 98: Selling Wine in Non-Traditional Channels

Read more here. In the dynamic world of DTC sales, staying ahead of trends is crucial for wineries looking to thrive. As we enter 2024, wineries face an evolving sales landscape that both challenges and offers opportunities. Understanding and using emerging trends, from technological advancements to shifting consumer preferences, is critical to success. This blog post will explore five trends wineries can't afford to overlook in 2024.

In a saturated market where traditional marketing techniques are commonplace and it seems like everything has been done, finding truly innovative ways to promote your winery or cidery in British Columbia can be a challenge. However, by embracing emerging trends, you can captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression.   1. Augmented Reality (AR) Labels Revolutionize your bottle labels with augmented reality technology. By integrating AR elements into your labels, you can bring them to life with interactive content, such as 3D animations, educational videos, or tasting notes. This interactive approach adds a touch of magic to your products and enhances the overall consumer experience. 2. Gamification Tap into the growing trend of gamification to engage and entertain your audience. Gamification is applying some elements of game playing (like point scoring, competition with others, rules of play) to other areas of activity, typically as an online marketing technique to encoura

In this webcast we discuss some of the top information management system challenges voiced by winery managers today and suggest some potential solutions.