Sustainable Winegrowing

Lasers may offer a chemical-free way to deter bird pests in vineyards and other agricultural systems. 
George Gallagher, Department Head of Animal Science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, explains why bird pressure goes beyond crop loss, raising concerns about disease risks like salmonella, E. coli, and transmission of avian influenza. He shares results from a controlled study using a handheld laser, aimed at birds' feet, to measure how long it took them to respond. 
The research showed that different birds react differently. George highlights the importance of animal safety and the role of species-specific vision when evaluating new deterrent tools. Listen through the end to hear if the lasers work on rats. 

Resources:  

58: Barn Owls
114: Designing a Vineyard for Year-Round Sheep Grazing 
272: 30 Gophers a Night: Why Barn Owls Belong in Your Vineyard
Cal Poly Animan Science Department
George Gallagher
George Gallagher  |Amanote Research
George Gallagher | Research Gate 
Tactical to Practical: The Human Component of Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution 

Vineyard Team Programs: 

Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate 
Online Courses – DPR & CCA Hours 
SIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet   
Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year 
Vineyard Team – Become a Member

Legal oversights can cost wine brands dearly, but with the right guidance, many are entirely preventable. Lindsey Zahn, Managing Partner of Lindsey Zahn P.C. Alcoholic Beverage Law Firm, breaks down the top four legal pitfalls wineries and wine brands must avoid. From building solid contracts and understanding who owns what, to navigating TTB labeling rules, producing non-alcoholic wines, and staying compliant with social media advertising laws, this episode arms you with practical knowledge to reduce risk and protect your business from penalties. 

Resources:  

187: Labor and Employment Law Tips from a Lawyer
Code of Federal Regulations - Food Labeling 
Code of Federal Regulations – Labeling and Advertising of Wine
Dealcoholized Wine and Malt Beverages - Labeling
Guidance for Industry: Food Labeling Guide
Lindsey Zahn 

Vineyard Team Programs: 

Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate 
Online Courses – DPR & CCA Hours 
SIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet   
Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year 
Vineyard Team – Become a Member

Foxen and Niner show impactful ways to weave generosity into everyday business.
As you plan for 2026, think about the unique ways your brand can meaningfully engage with your local community. Then, share your team's participation, spotlight the organizations you support, and tell the stories that highlight your values.
Resources: 

*** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course ***  

Apply for SIP Certified Wine 

Likely Story Strategies 

Marketing Tips eNewsletter 

Sustainable Story Worksheet  

Vineyard Team Programs: 

Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate 
Online Courses – DPR & CCA Hours 
SIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet   
Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year 
Vineyard Team – Become a Member

Rising temperatures and erratic weather accelerate ripening, spread disease faster, and shift sugar, alcohol, and acidity levels. All of which threaten wine quality and style. 

At Geisenheim University, Dr. Manfred Stoll is testing "vitivoltaics": semi-transparent, trackable solar panels installed above vines. The system moderates heat, radiation, and extreme weather, while improving young vine establishment and water infiltration. Beyond the vineyard, this renewable energy can power everything from irrigation pumps to EV charging stations for wine tasting guests. 

Resources:  

281: How Rootstock Impacts Vine Drought Tolerance and Longevity
283: Developing Cold-Hardy Grapes with 23andMe Technology
Agrivoltaics in the Vineyard
Agrivoltaics in wine growing areas
Are These Smart Solar Panels the Future of Sustainable Vineyards?
Assessing the economic performance of agrivoltaic systems in vineyards - framework development, simulated scenarios and directions for future research
Grape Growth and Berry Development Under the Agrivoltaic System in Vineyards
Manfred Stoll
Soaking Up the Sun: Agrivoltaics Build Resiliency into Producers' Operations in Rio Grande Valley 

Vineyard Team Programs: 

Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate 
Online Courses – DPR & CCA Hours 
SIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet   
Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year 
Vineyard Team – Become a Member

Will hybrid grapes help vineyards survive climate change? Professor Karine Pedneault of the Université du Québec en Outaouais explores this question through trials that expose grapevines to drought and heat stress. Testing both vinifera and hybrid varieties, her research measured plant water flow and metabolic responses to determine resilience. While hybrids still carry a stigma around flavor, they showed promising resistance, raising the potential to reduce fungicide use by up to half and adapt more sustainably to extreme weather scenarios.  

Resources:  

223: New Decision Support System for Irrigation Efficiency
213: High Resolution Data from Space Helps Farmers Plan for Climate Change
Karine Pedneault 
Karine Pedneault – Google Scholar
Karine Pedneault - Instagram
Karine Pedneault - LinkedIn
Karine Pedneault – Research Gate
Metabolic response of vitis vinifera and interspecific vitis sp. varieties to heat stress, water deficit and combined stress, using a metabolomic approach
The organic vineyard as a balanced ecosystem: Improved organic grape management and impacts on wine quality 

Vineyard Team Programs: 

Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate 
Online Courses – DPR & CCA Hours 
SIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet   
Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year 
Vineyard Team – Become a Member