Vineyard Team Connects Growers with the Experts Shaping Sustainable Winegrowing    What do modern grape varieties, intelligent sprayers, and biological pest management have in common? Growers can hear from leading experts on each through the Sustainable Winegrowing podcast, then continue the conversation at the 2026 Sustainable Ag Expo.  This connection is part of Vineyard Team’s commitment to making timely, research-based education accessible to growers. The Sustainable Ag Expo extends that education through two days of in-person seminars and a tradeshow in San Luis Obispo, California plus on-demand online courses available to two-day attendees before and after the event. Whether listening to the podcast on the road, taking an online course on their own schedule, or connecting with experts in person at the Expo, growers have multiple ways to access sustainable winegrowing experts.    "It is obvio

With wine consumption declining nationwide and California’s winemakers feeling the squeeze, Sacramento has delivered a meaningful win for the state’s wine producers. Senate Bill 917 opens the doors of California’s certified farmers’ markets to winemakers, including many small winemakers who have long been shut out – giving them a new avenue to reach consumers directly. In January 2026, State Senator John Laird introduced Senate Bill 917 to modernize California’s farmers’ market wine regulations. The California Legislature passed the bill in August 2026, and it was approved by Governor Newsom on August 27, 2026. Codified at Section 23399.4 of the California Business and Professions Code (the “ABC Act”), the prior law permitted Type 02 winegrower licensees to obtain a Type 79 farmer’s market license to sell at certified farmers’ markets only those wines produced from grapes grown by the winegrower itself. In practice, this requirement closed the door on small, boutique wineries that purc

Join us in November for two days of practical vineyard education, research-backed solutions, and conversations with the growers and experts shaping the future of winegrowing. View the full program >>> https://www.sustainableagexpo.org/conference/program/ This year's program features 30+ researchers and industry leaders tackling the topics growers are asking about most, including: Headliner Session Dr. Michelle M. Moyer (Washington State University) explores how modern grape varieties are reshaping disease management and sustainable farming, followed by a grower panel discussing what these innovations mean in the vineyard. Sponsor: Beckstoffer Vineyards + Additional sessions include: - Biological pest management with Dr. Pam Marrone - Precision sprayer technologies with Dr. Brent Warneke - Soil health insights from Dr. Charlotte Decock - The future of sustainable disease management with Dr. Akif Eskalen - Grower panel on holistic management of vine mealybug & leafroll

The Sustainable Ag Expo returns to San Luis Obispo on November 10–11, 2026, bringing together growers, researchers, ag professionals, and industry leaders for two days of education, innovation, and connection. 🎟️ Tickets are now available >>>https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2026tailgatesevents/event/sustainableagexpo/ Here's what attendees can expect: Research that matters. Hear the latest from experts at UC Davis, Washington State University, Oregon State University, Virginia Tech, USDA-ARS, and more on topics including climate adaptation, soil health, biological pest management, disease-resistant varieties, and emerging vineyard technology. 20+ hours of continuing education. Earn DPR and CCA hours through in-person sessions and online courses. New this year, two-day attendees will have access to online coursework through December 15, providing additional flexibility to complete CE hours after harvest. Industry connections. From Sustainable Gear & Beer and the Donut Socia

Enartis USA announced the promotions of Amy Jensen to Sales Manager and James Allen to Applied Innovation Manager, effective March 2026. These strategic appointments underscore the company’s evolution from a traditional enological product supplier into a comprehensive partner for integrated winemaking solutions, engineering services, and applied research. Strengthening Leadership for a Modernizing Industry Producers across North America are actively navigating tightening margins, shifting consumer trends, and increased demands for operational efficiency. To meet these challenges head-on, Enartis is expanding its leadership structure to deliver connected, cross-disciplinary expertise that bridges enology, and engineering. “The wine industry is moving from reactive decision-making to predictive control, and our leadership must reflect that,” said Francesco Bergaglio, CEO of Enartis USA. “Amy and James intimately understand the operational and financial pressures o

Presented by Vineyard Team, the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast continued to be a go‑to resource for vineyard and winery professionals, delivering timely, practical insights straight from researchers and growers shaping the future of sustainable viticulture. From hybrid grapes and soil health to AI‑driven climate strategies and market dynamics, last year’s five most listened‑to episodes offered information listeners can apply immediately in their operations.  Beyond Foxy: The Case for Hybrid Winegrapes Episode 274 | Listen now  Forget everything you thought you knew about hybrid grapes. Adam Huss (Centralas Cellars) makes the case for these resilient, quality-driven varieties and why they’re gaining traction in a warming world.  Fungicide Resistance in Powdery and Downy Mildew: 10 Years of Vineyard Research Episode 278 | Listen now  Ismail Ahmed Ismail (South Australian Research and Development Institute) unpacks a decade of data on fungicide resist

State of the Industry; The Wine Market and Consumer Are Evolving – So Should You In this data-driven session, Dr. Chris Bitter, Senior Wine and Grape Analyst for Terrain / American AgCredit, will break down the key trends shaping both retail and direct-to-consumer wine sales. He’ll examine the structural headwinds impacting the industry, provide a forward-looking outlook on wine sales, and highlight areas where innovative wineries are still finding growth. Wine consumption is declining, and that trend isn’t likely to reverse anytime soon. But beneath the headlines, there’s a more complex story—one that reveals important nuances, shifting consumer behaviors, and untapped opportunities for wineries willing to evolve. The brands that succeed in this new landscape will be those that understand the challenges, adapt to market realities, and embrace strategic change. This interactive session will also include live polling to establish industry benchmarks, allowi

Innovation meets Sustainability in this day-long conference with topics rooted in research to help Washington’s wine industry meet the challenges of tomorrow. Co-sponsored by the Washington State Wine Commission and Washington State University, WAVE 2025 features keynote WSU Ravenholt Lecturer Mary Retallack, Retallack Viticulture, Pty Ltd of South Australia, who will share new approaches to vineyard management to grow resilience, profitability and quality through ecological solutions. Other topics include strategies to manage vineyard and winery challenges, a showcase of current research through visually engaging posters, celebration of Sustainable WA certification leaders, lunch, and a social hour.  Register here.