Sustainable Winegrowing

36:17

330: Human-Robot Collaboration for Precision Agriculture

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/10/01

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

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0:16

329: Sustainability Starts with People | Marketing...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/09/28

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

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36:40

328: Rethinking Vineyard Weed Management to Build...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/09/17

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

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03:22

327: The Feedback Loop Behind Better Wine |...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/09/14

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 Course Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families

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36:22

326: Increasing Microbat Activity for Vineyard Pest...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/09/03

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

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04:16

325: 4 Wine-Focused Social Media Tips: Q&A with...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/08/31

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

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34:25

324: Why Great Wine Isn't Enough: The Science of Liking

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/08/20

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

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02:22

323: Nature's Night Shift | Sustainable Story

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/08/10

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 Course Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue

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33:11

322: Managing Spotted Lanternfly with Biological Control

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/08/06

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

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02:45

321: 4 Ways to Get More from Every Social Media Post...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/07/27

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 Course Support

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36:16

320: How Grapevine Rootstocks Affect Drought...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/07/16

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

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01:33

319: From Remote to Reliable | Sustainable Story

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/07/13

While Santa Barbara's Foxen Canyon area is known for its natural beauty, reliable cell service is not one of its amenities. Read More.

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25:22

318: The Hidden Life of Grapevine Roots: When Roots...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/07/02

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

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05:02

317: Print Media Isn't Dead | Marketing Tip Monday

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/06/29

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 Course Support the Podcast:

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29:28

316: Three-Cornered Alfalfa Hopper: Monitoring,...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/06/18

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

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01:48

315: Nature's Lawn Mowers | Sustainable Story

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/06/08

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 Course Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education

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26:42

314: Cut Bird Damage and Costs: Real Grower Results...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/06/04

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

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02:23

313: Train Your Team to Talk About Sustainability |...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/05/25

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 Course Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team

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49:52

312: Why the Best Ag Tech Is Built With Growers

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/05/21

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

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01:39

311: A Softer Way to Fight Fungus in Vineyards |...

Sustainable Winegrowing ·

2026/05/11

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

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