Vineyard Team

Meet our Sustainable Ag Expo Headliner, Fritz Westover! Fritz Westover is a leading expert in viticulture education. His passion is making viticulture information accessible, informative, and engaging for all winegrape growers - His goal is to help every grower to be a better grape grower! Fritz is the founder of Westover Vineyard Advising and the revolutionary Virtual Viticulture Academy and hosts the popular Vineyard Underground podcast. He consults for vineyards in 5 states encompassing 1000+ acres of all varieties of wine grapes, and he provides live virtual advising and online education to growers across 35 states and 11 countries. He is also a leading wine industry speaker and contributor. He holds a BS in horticulture from Penn State University as well as an MS from the Penn State Department of Plant Pathology. He has been working hands-on in the viticulture industry for 25 years across the US and internationally. When he is not thinking of new innovative ways to help grape growers, he can be found mountain biking, trail running, making noise on a cheap guitar, or traveling with his family. Once on the team, always on the team! Fun fact: Fritz was the Technical Program Coordinator at Vineyard Team from 2013-2015, and we are excited to collaborate with him yet again. Fritz Westover https://lnkd.in/g-qDdXsJ

Quarterly Update from Executive Director, Beth Vukmanic If you were a Member in 2013, you remember Fritz Westover when he was our Technical Program Manager. Fritz organized grower-focused programming for Tailgates and the Sustainable Ag Expo, kept Earth Day Food & Wine running smoothly from the back of a gator, and headed up a USDA grant-funded project to use soil moisture sensors for vineyard irrigation management. When we began planning this year‘s Expo, the Outreach Committee reflected on 2023’s highlights. The inaugural Welcome Event with Terry Bates's Light Sabers and Jedi presentation was a HIT. Attendees loved how the conversation set the stage for his keynote at the main event. We wanted to anchor the 2024 Expo with a dynamic expert. Fritz was a clear choice. Personally, I credit Fritz with naming the weekly community workouts that I host ”Bethercize”. He was a regular participant during his California years and we still see him on the occasional Zoom workout. I am glad to work with Fritz again this November. As we say, “Once on the Team, always on the Team.” The Premiere Winegrowing Event of the Year We’ve been working all year to bring you the latest viticulture and technology at the Sustainable Ag Expo: 36 experts 13 online courses 63 exhibitors 3 sessions with Fritz Westover 38 gallons of coffee 9 equipment companies showcased  2 kegs of beer 1 exclusive welcome event 100% grower-driven. Get your ticket today. https://lnkd.in/gY3azxYT

Tailgate | Fungicide Spraying: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint & Financial Burden --- Learn how to optimize the use of biofungicides alone or integrated into a conventional fungicide program. Dr. Ding of Cal Poly will share results from a recent study on on the efficacy of different fungicide programs and their impact on grape yield and berry chemistry. Talk with farmers from three growing regions about their fungicide programs. Plus, learn about Cal Poly’s wine & vit programs during a tour of the new, state of the art winery and vineyard. Agenda: 8:30 am - Winery Tour with Erica Nordby, CalPoly 9:00 - 11:00 am - Presentations & Panel Discussion Speakers: Shunping Ding, Cal Poly Erica Nordby, Cal Poly Erin Amaral, Pacific Coast Farming Hilary Graves, Booker Wines Ruben Solorzano, Coastal Vineyard Care Associates Bob Thomas, Mesa Vineyard Management CE Approved: DPR 1 - O; CCA 2 - IPM https://lnkd.in/g-tUTEYS

Scholarship Applications Close March 31! --- The Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship, a program designed to support the children of California’s vineyard and winery workers in their pursuit of higher education, is now accepting applications for the upcoming academic year. Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors or students currently enrolled in junior college, four-year universities, or trade schools. Applicant or applicant’s parent/guardian must be employed or contracted by the California vineyard and winery industry. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, and a commitment to their community. Multi-year scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $6,000 per student per year. The number of scholarships awarded is based on fund availability. This scholarship does more than alleviate the financial burden of higher education. The program makes a unique investment in a dedicated Scholarship Mentor who is a resource to the students throughout their collegiate career. In the May 5, 2023 newsletter, the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) stated, "… we know scholarship dollars alone are not enough. Scholarship providers have a unique opportunity to positively impact student success by also investing in support services that help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally… Students who receive these services are more likely to remain engaged and enrolled, ultimately increasing their chances of graduating and achieving their goals.” Multi-year recipient Evelyn says, “There is no doubt that being a recipient of the Scholarship has helped me to get where I am today. It has not only made a significant difference in financially supporting my educational journey, but it has also opened up so many doors through which I was able to begin my career in viticulture.” Applications are due by March 31, 2024, and recipients will be notified by mid-May 2024. To learn more about the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship and to apply, please visit https://lnkd.in/gpcbQeuH.

Since 2016, farmers, winemakers, and wine enthusiasts have listened to the latest science and research for the wine industry from the world's top experts and experienced growers via the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast. In the time it takes to drive between vineyards, listeners enjoy technical episodes featuring expert discussions covering every aspect of wine business from microbes for soil health to designing a vineyard for sheep grazing, and from barrier sprays for smoke taint to using satellites to detect diseases. New technical interviews are released the first and third Thursday of the month. In 2022, Vineyard Team added Marketing Tip Mondays to the lineup of monthly releases. Searches for sustainable goods have increased globally by 71% since 2016. As consumer demand for sustainable wines grows, brands want to know how to communicate their good work in the marketplace. These under-five-minute micro podcasts released on the second and fourth Monday of the month give quick tips on consumer research, social media marketing, and sales strategies. With these tips and strategies, listeners have the knowledge they need to share their dedication to sustainable winegrowing so that their customers know that they are buying from a brand that shares their values. The latest Marketing Tip Monday episode: How Sustainability Sells in a Tough Market. In this Marketing Tip, get insight into the significance of sustainably grown grapes in the larger market from Gregg Hibbits, who has nearly 30 years of experience selling wine grapes. Over the course of his career, he has experienced a shift in what his grape-buying clients are looking for. LISTEN IN: https://lnkd.in/g54tDuy4 --- Produced by Vineyard Team, an organization dedicated to bringing together researchers and growers to promote sustainable vineyard farming since 1994, and hosted by Craig Macmillan, Critical Resource Manager at Niner Wine Estates, each episode of the Sustainable Winegrowing podcast helps listeners improve their sustainable wine business. Vineyard Team Executive Director and Podcast Producer Beth Vukmanic says, “This podcast is one more way we can connect winegrowers with experts at the push of a play button.” To listen to podcast episodes, visit vineyardteam.org/podcast or search for Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team wherever you listen to your podcasts.

NEW EPISODE 219: Intelligent Sprayers to Improve Fungicide Applications and Save Money Intelligent or sensor-controlled sprayers have the potential to improve pesticide application efficiency, reduce labor, and lessen waste. Brent Warneke, Senior Faculty Research Assistant in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University is testing LiDAR sensors that can sense a plant and adjust the amount of spray based on the coverage area needed. Brent also addresses the best time to use biologicals based on disease pressure, the benefits of drones in farming, and simple ways to improve spray efficiency with an air blast sprayer. LISTEN IN https://lnkd.in/gP7Di9wZ

Are you or your parent/guardian employed or contracted by the California vineyard and winery industry? Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship applications are open from February 5 through March 31, 2024. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic excellence, and community, work and/or caregiver responsibilities. Multi-year scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $6,000 per student per year. The number of scholarships awarded is based on fund availability. Visit our webpage to learn more about the application process. https://lnkd.in/gwPveKCZ Share this Opportunity. We have created a flyer in both English and Spanish that you can print or share digitally with your colleagues and friends. https://lnkd.in/gkU4S-Sa

Vineyard Team and The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance are hosting an educational event next week and would love for you to join us! Power Up: Sustainable Energy for the Wine Industry Thursday, March 14, 8:00 am-1:00 pm at Springhill Suites by Marriott in Atascadero This educational event will bring together wine industry professionals and energy partners for a half-day of sessions and networking, focused on sustainable energy. Vineyard Team and/or PRWCA members have access to discounted tickets for this event ($25). Registration includes morning coffee, half-day of sessions & networking lunch. Click the event link to learn more about each session and register! We hope to see you all there!

Last Friday I really enjoyed learning about the production and use of Biochar in vineyards at the Vineyard Team's tailgate meeting hosted by Steve McIntyre of MONTEREY PACIFIC, INC in Soledad, CA. So happy after 30 years to see the Vineyard Team is still innovating and sharing sustainable winegrape farming practices on the Central Coast, and great to see fellow VT founders Steve McIntyre and Bob Thomas and Executive Director Beth Vukmanic.

Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast Hits a Milestone 200 Episodes! In the time it takes to drive between vineyards, you can enjoy technical episodes featuring expert discussions covering every aspect of wine business from microbes for soil health to designing a vineyard for sheep grazing, and from barrier sprays for smoke taint to using satellites to detect diseases. New technical interviews are released the first and third Thursday of the month. Interviewees include Terry Bates of Cornell University, Akif Eskalen Cooperative Extension Specialist at the University of California at Davis, and Kelly Mulville of Paicines Ranch. Searches for sustainable goods have increased globally by 71% since 2016. To help brands meet consumer demand for sustainable wine, we added Marketing Tip Mondays to the lineup of monthly releases in 2022. These under-five-minute micro podcasts give quick tips on consumer research, social media marketing, and sales strategies. To listen to the 200th episode titled, “Doing Good for the Community & Business at Niner Wine Estates | Marketing Tip Monday,” or any of the other engaging podcasts, visit vineyardteam.org/podcast or search for Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team wherever you listen to your podcasts. #viticulture #scienceandenvironment #vineyard #winemarketing #winesales #vineyardfarming