301: Turning Sustainability into Sales | Marketing Tip Monday
Consumers want transparency and sustainability—and they reward it with loyalty and sales. This episode breaks down four key ways to communicate sustainability, from tasting rooms to sales channels, showing how clear, credible messaging builds trust and drives purchasing decisions. 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 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 at the premier winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing
300: From Sour Rot to Succession Planning: Craig Macmillan's Favorite Podcast Moments
A decade of viticulture education is right at your fingertips. Executive Director Beth Vukmanic interviews longtime host Craig MacMillan to celebrate ten years and 300 episodes of the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast. Together, they reflect on some of Craig's most memorable interviews—from new discoveries in sour rot and space-to-farm technology, to using storytelling to sell more wine and tackling leadership transitions. Resources: 17: New Discoveries about Sour Rot 129: The Efficient Vineyard Project 161: Use Storytelling to Sell More Wine 233: The Gap Between Space and Farm: Ground Truthing Satellite Data Models 239: Ford Pro Pilot – Trialing Electric Trucks in the Field 249: Making it Easier to Use Satellite Data in Agriculture 257: Understanding Winery Visitors – Increase Sales with your Messaging 268: How to Tackle Leadership Transitions Successfully 286: To Till or Not to Till: Impacts on Soil, Vines, and Vineyard Budgets Craig Macmillan 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 at the premier winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing
299: A Winery, a Festival, and a $150,000 Investment in Music Education | Sustainable Story
While the Whale Rock Music Festival is renowned for rocking the Central Coast every year with live music and family-friendly activities. The event has an even greater purpose: supporting Templeton High School musicians through the parent-volunteer organization, TIMBA. Resources: *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course *** Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Supporting Arts & Community | Castoro Cellars Sustainable Story Worksheet Print Electronic 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
298: How Cover Crops Shape Grapevine Root Systems
Root systems are more than just anchors, they are the plant's stomach, communicating with their environment through a network of microbes. Suzanne Fleishman, Assistant Professor of Root Biology at Penn State University, introduces the emerging field of Root Agroecology, which integrates plant physiology and omic methods to improve sustainability in vineyards. She shares insights from a five-year red fescue cover crop trial showing reduced pruning weights and improved vine balance, as well as shifts in rhizosphere microbiomes. Her future goal? A grower tool that predicts the best cover crops by site. Resources: 72: Soil Microbes and Nutrient Availability 151: The Role of the Soil Microbiome in Soil Health 159: Under-Vine Vegetation to Control Vine Vigor Can Cover Crops Improve Wine Grape Production Resilience? Research revealing grapevine root relationships Root Agroecology Lab Suzanne Fleishman Suzanne Fleisman – Google Scholar Suzanne Fleishman – Research Gate Undervine groundcover substantially increases shallow but not deep soil carbon in a temperate vineyard 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 at the premier winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing
297: Consumers Want Sustainable Wine—Here's How to Be Seen | Marketing Tip Monday
Eco-conscious wine lovers are willing to pay more for sustainable products—but they won't dig for details. In this Marketing Tip Monday, learn how to meet consumer demand for sustainability by making it easy. With 60% of younger and multicultural wine buyers preferring sustainable wines, visibility is key. Show your story at a glance with the SIP Certified logo on your label. It's fast, simple, and signals your commitment to people and the planet. Resources: *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course *** Apply for SIP Certified Wine 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