Podcast · Tech & Science

Sustainable Winegrowing

by Vineyard Team · English · Tech & Science

Get the latest science and research for the wine industry with Sustainable Wine Growing. Vineyard Team brings you industry professionals and experts on resource issues and business trends related to sustainable agriculture to help you put sustainability into practice.

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 25 min
Latest: 12 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026 · 3 minNew

331: Rethinking Wine Packaging | Sustainable Story

By eliminating foil capsules and switching to lighter bottles, SAMsARA cut waste and emissions—reminding wine lovers that great wine doesn't need extra packaging. Resources: Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Cour s e Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainings SIP Certified - A trusted…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E330 · 1 Oct 2026 · 36 min
330: Human-Robot Collaboration for Precision Agriculture
Imagine one vineyard machine that can prune, harvest, monitor vine health, and help guide irrigation decisions throughout the season. Manoj Karkee , the Norman R. and Sharon R. Scott Professor of Agricultural Science at Cornell University, explores how artificial intelligence, robotics, and cyber-physical systems can make farming more efficient and economical. Learn how multipurpose and soft robotics can tackle vineyard tasks, how cameras and sensors feed AI models to guide crop management, and how human-robot collaboration reduce s labor, input costs, and resource use. Resources: 233: The…
E329 · 28 Sep 2026 · 1 min
329: Sustainability Starts with People | Marketing Tip Monday
When we talk about sustainability in wine, practices like conserving water, enhancing soil quality, and supporting biodiversity often come to mind. But sustainability is about more than caring for the land; it's about caring for the people behind every bottle . Resources: Apply for SIP Certified Wine Join 2027 ReSIProcal February (Members Only) Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online…
E328 · 17 Sep 2026 · 37 min
328: Rethinking Vineyard Weed Management to Build Healthier Soils
Healthy soils are built through years of management decisions and sometimes rethinking old practices. Jim Lincoln, General Manager of Beckstoffer Vineyards in Napa Valley, shares how his approach to weed management has evolved from cultivation and herbicides to mowing, sheep grazing, cover crops, and no-till practices. Learn how these changes have improved under-vine soil health, influenced weed populations, and affected costs. Jim discusses the real-world tradeoffs of building soil health and the opportunities it creates to improve fruit quality. Resources: 128: A New Focus on Weed…
E327 · 14 Sep 2026 · 3 min
327: The Feedback Loop Behind Better Wine | Sustainable Story
Growers rarely taste the wine made from their grapes. At Hope Family Wines, Stasi Seay uses annual tastings to help them connect their farming decisions to what's in the glass . Resources: Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Cour s e Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainings SIP…
3 Sep 2026 · 36 min
326: Increasing Microbat Activity for Vineyard Pest Management
Microbats are tiny natural predators with a big appetite for insects , but the uniform structure of a vineyard can keep them from venturing far into the block. Matt Fowles, Owner and CEO of Fowles Wine, noticed that vineyard blocks near trees had less moth pressure than those bordered by open grassland. He shares how that observation inspired a system of vertical structures designed to give microbats echolocation points and encourage them to move deeper into the vineyard. Early trials show increased bat activity and promising potential for natural pest control in vineyards. Resources : 272:…
E325 · 31 Aug 2026 · 4 min
325: 4 Wine-Focused Social Media Tips: Q&A with Heather Daenitz | Marketing Tip Monday
Social media keeps changing, but wineries can stay relevant with a focused strategy. Heather Daenitz (Craft & Cluster) shares practical advice on Instagram Stories, audience engagement, searchable content, authentic video, and content series that help wineries connect with wine consumers. Resources: Apply for SIP Certified Wine Join the SIP Certified Wine Finder (Members Only) Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Cour s e Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial…
E324 · 20 Aug 2026 · 34 min
324: Why Great Wine Isn't Enough: The Science of Liking
Why we like wine has less to do with our taste buds than you might think. Zata Vickers, professor of Food Science and Nutrition and director of the Sensory Center at the University of Minnesota, explains the science behind why we like what we like. Learn how repeated exposure, positive social experiences, and even the words used to describe wine influence our preferences. Along the way, she shares surprising insights into what babies' reactions can teach us about taste and why food preferences are learned more often than they're born. Resources : 257: Understanding Winery Visitors – Increase…
E323 · 10 Aug 2026 · 2 min
323: Nature's Night Shift | Sustainable Story
Mesa Vineyard Management teamed up with Cal Poly to track barn owls and understand where they hunt in an effort to help growers strengthen natural pest control in vineyards. Resources: Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Cour s e Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainings SIP Certified -…
E322 · 6 Aug 2026 · 33 min
322: Managing Spotted Lanternfly with Biological Control
Biological control is emerging as one of the most promising tools against spotted lanternfly . Anne Johnson, postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University, explains how spotted lanternfly damages grapevines by draining plant sap and producing honeydew that fuels sooty mold. She shares new research showing that North American predators, including spiders, praying mantises, and birds, are already helping keep this invasive pest in check. Learn which biological control strategies show the most promise, why removing t ree of h eaven matters, and how…
E321 · 27 Jul 2026 · 3 min
321: 4 Ways to Get More from Every Social Media Post | Marketing Tip Monday
Boost your social media marketing without creating more content. Discover four simple strategies to improve SEO, help the right audience find your posts, increase saves and shares, build authentic connections, and repurpose content to maximize your reach. Resources: Apply for SIP Certified Wine Join the SIP Certified Wine Finder (Members Only) Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Cour s e Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from…
E320 · 16 Jul 2026 · 36 min
320: How Grapevine Rootstocks Affect Drought Tolerance, Yield, and Canopy Growth
Choosing the right grapevine rootstock can improve drought resilience without sacrificing yield. Patty Skinkis, Viticulture Extension Specialist and Professor in the Horticulture Department at Oregon State University, shares findings from long-term Oregon rootstock trial comparing mature and young vineyards . Learn which rootstocks produced larger canopies and higher yields with less water stress, why traditional low-vigor choices may struggle in no-till systems, and how this research is shaping an updated guide to help growers select rootstocks for climate resilience, vineyard…
E319 · 13 Jul 2026 · 2 min
319: From Remote to Reliable | Sustainable Story
While Santa Barbara's Foxen Canyon area is known for its natural beauty, reliable cell service is not one of its amenities. Read More.
E318 · 2 Jul 2026 · 25 min
318: The Hidden Life of Grapevine Roots: When Roots Really Grow
Many winegrape growers don't realize that grapevine roots are constantly growing, dying, and regenerating throughout the season. In this episode, David Eissenstat, Professor Emeritus at Penn State University , explains how decades of root research have challenged the myth that roots only grow at bloom and after harvest. He shares how underground research techniques reveal the hidden life of grapevine roots, why young roots drive water and nutrient uptake, how root growth changes with temperature and moisture, and what growers should know about managing vineyards with a deeper understanding…
E317 · 29 Jun 2026 · 5 min
317: Print Media Isn't Dead | Marketing Tip Monday
Think print is a thing of the past ? Think again. Discover why print remains a powerful marketing tool for wineries, offering lasting impressions, stronger recall, and a personal touch that digital channels can't always match. Learn how to make your print materials work smarter and more sustainably. Resources: Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Cour s e Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard…
E316 · 18 Jun 2026 · 29 min
316: Three-Cornered Alfalfa Hopper: Monitoring, Models, and Management
Three-cornered alfalfa hopper (TCAH) is the only confirmed insect vector of grapevine red blotch virus in Vitis vinifera, yet many growers first realize they have the pest only after spotting petiole girdling in the vineyard. Cindy Kron, North Coast IPM Advisor at UC ANR, shares findings from two years of weekly sweep-net monitoring at Oakville Research Station that revealed TCAH adults are present well before bud break, suggesting grapevines are not their preferred host. She explains the insect's life stages, why legumes serve as key feeding and reproductive hosts, and why detecting early…
E315 · 8 Jun 2026 · 2 min
315: Nature's Lawn Mowers | Sustainable Story
Meet Gilbert the Pig and friends. These goats, sheep, and Kunekune pigs replaced herbicides and mowing with year-round weed control. And they're adorable. Resources: Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Cour s e Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainings SIP Certified - A trusted…
E314 · 4 Jun 2026 · 27 min
314: Cut Bird Damage and Costs: Real Grower Results Using Vineyard Lasers
Wine grape growers are turning to precision technology to mitigate bird damage while reducint labor and material costs. In this episode, Joseph Traut (Cypress AgTech) joins growers Chad Foster (Maverick Farming) and Paul Ramirez (Loma Escondida Farming) to share real-world experience using an autonomous, silent laser system that protects 20–30 vineyard acres per unit. Learn how to optimize placement, program effective coverage patterns, and time use from mid-June through harvest. Hear which bird species are easiest to deter, where challenges remain , and how this approach supports…
E313 · 25 May 2026 · 2 min
313: Train Your Team to Talk About Sustainability | Marketing Tip Monday
Two-thirds of consumers say sustainability matters when choosing what to buy. Learn how to equip your tasting room team with simple, authentic talking points that help guests connect with your values and turn every interaction into a memorable brand experience. Resources: Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Real Stories, Real Impact SIP Certified Marketing Toolkit Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Cour s e Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online…
E312 · 21 May 2026 · 50 min
312: Why the Best Ag Tech Is Built With Growers
The biggest challenge in ag tech isn't innovation — it's making tools that actually work on the farm. Matthew Hoffman, General Partner and Head of Farms at Reservoir, shares how the company is helping ag tech startups develop tools that solve real farming challenges. By partnering directly with specialty crop producers, including winegrape growers, Reservoir gives companies access to farms, equipment, and real-world feedback to refine technologies before they reach the market. Matthew highlights emerging innovations in autonomous equipment, robotics, machine vision, and farm management…
E311 · 11 May 2026 · 2 min
311: A Softer Way to Fight Fungus in Vineyards | Sustainable Story
Andy Fles, Vineyard Manager at Shady Lane Cellars, wanted to make his fungicide program even more sustainable. So, he set up an experiment that put "soft" materials head to head with his usual program. Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainings SIP Certified - A trusted third-party certification proving your sustainable practices with science-backed standards Sustainable Ag Expo - Join top experts…
E310 · 7 May 2026 · 30 min
310: Can Your Vineyard Soil Hold Enough Water Without Irrigation?
Can your soil hold enough water to carry vines through the season without irrigation? Miguel Garcia, Regenative Agriculture Project Manager at Napa RCD, shares findings from a 15-vineyard study across California's North Coast . By measuring organic matter, soil respiration, active carbon, and aggregate stability, the project evaluates how soils store and supply water over the growing season. Learn how cover crops, tillage practices, and deep root systems shape soil and moisture dynamics, and how dry-farmed vineyards compare with the broader soil health database. Resources: 4/28/26 Dry Farm…
E309 · 27 Apr 2026 · 10 min
309: Create Memorable Winery Experiences That Drive Sales | Marketing Tip Monday
Memorable winery visits don't happen by accident. They're designed. Craig Macmillan (Niner Wine Estates) shares how storytelling, insider access, and well-trained staff turn winery tours into long-lasting customer relationships. Resources: *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course *** Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Sustainable Stories Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability…
E308 · 16 Apr 2026 · 32 min
308: Balancing Cost, Efficiency, and Sustainability in Vineyard Management
Making the best sustainable farming decisions isn't about choosing one solution; it's about weighing the best strategies for your vineyard. Lucas Pope, Vice President of Altera Solutions, shares how growers can balance performance, cost, and long-term impact by understanding trade-offs . Lucas dives into developing a vineyard for efficiency, the best irrigation setup, composting , herbicide-free practices, and fungicide resistance, while emphasizing collaboration with clients to select the best approach for each unique site. Resources: 117: Grapevine Mildew Control with UV Light 219:…
E307 · 13 Apr 2026 · 2 min
307: Planting for Pollinators | Sustainable Story
147 native plants now create a thriving monarch butterfly sanctuary. What started as a passion project now supports biodiversity with minimal maintenance. Resources: *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course *** Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Planting for Pollinators | Sustainable Story Sustainable Story Worksheet | Electronic Support the Podcast : Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs : Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainings…
E306 · 2 Apr 2026 · 36 min
306: Using Barn Owls for Gopher and Rodent Control in Vineyards
Barn o wls are natural predators of gophers, voles, and mice , three of the most common vertebrate pests in vineyards. Matt Johnson, Professor in the Department of Wildlife at Cal Poly Humboldt University, studies how farms and wildlife can mutually benefit each other. Matt shares practical guidance on barn owl nest box design, placement, and maintenance, and explains how vineyard landscapes and surrounding habitat influence owl occupancy. Resources: 272: 30 Gophers a Night: Why Barn Owls Belong in Your Vineyard Barn Owl Hunting Animation – Yarrow from the Lodi Wine Visitor Center Barn Owl…
E305 · 30 Mar 2026 · 3 min
305: 3 Easy Ways to Promote Your Sustainability | Marketing Tip Monday
Wine buyers care about sustainability—but are you talking about it? Learn three practical ways to share your sustainable winegrowing story through tasting room interactions, sales conversations, and social media that builds trust with today's conscious wine consumers. Resources: *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course *** Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Sustainable Stories Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online Courses - Earn DPR and CCA…
E304 · 19 Mar 2026 · 31 min
304: Vineyard Mothballing: Costs, Risks, and Long-Term Yield Consequences
With current market shifts, vineyard mothballing can buy growers time—but it requires strategy, not abandonment. Chris Chen, Integrated Vineyard Systems Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension, draws on research in Australia and field experience in California to outline what minimal management really looks like. From pruning approaches and livestock integration to pest and disease management, irrigation by rootstock and soil type, and long-term yield risks, he explains how to reduce costs now without compromising a vineyard's future—or risking fines. Resources: 4/8 /2026 REGISTER : Tailgate |…
E303 · 9 Mar 2026 · 2 min
303: Too Salty to Irrigate: A Vineyard's Unexpected Water Solution | Sustainable Story
When a newly dug well revealed water too salty for irrigation, Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard faced a serious threat to vine health and wine quality. Discover how a reverse osmosis system and an unexpected salt-loving grass transformed a costly setback into a biodiversity-boosting solution. Resources: *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course *** Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Sustainable Stories Sustainable Story Worksheet Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue…
E302 · 5 Mar 2026 · 32 min
302: New Cover Crop Tool for Western Growers
Cover crops play a critical role in building healthy, resilient soils in vineyards and agricultural systems. Sarah Light , Agronomy Farm Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension , shares how cover crops protect soil from wind and heavy rain, improve water infiltration, and increase on-farm biodiversity. She introduces a newly released cover crop selector tool developed for Western growing regions, with guidance on species selection, termination practices, and grower goals such as reducing compaction, fixing nitrogen, and supporting pollinators. This practical resource helps growers choose the…

About Sustainable Winegrowing

Sustainable Winegrowing is a English tech & science podcast from Vineyard Team. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Vineyard Team
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 25 min
Latest episode: 12 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1172423472

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English tech & science

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.