Sustainable Winegrowing

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 control strategies show the most promise, why removing tree of heaven matters, and how community science is accelerating discoveries for sustainable spotted lanternfly management.  

Resources:  

96: Spotted Lanternfly - Threat to California 
175: How to Prepare for Invasive Pests in Your Vineyard
289: How Spotted Lanternfly Puts Grapes at Risk—and What Growers Can Do
Allies Against an Invasive: Interactions Between Spotted Lanternflies and Native Species (Seminar)
Anne Johnson | Google Scholar
Anne Johnson | Michigan State University 
Birds Biting Bad Bugs | Facebook 
Natural insect predators may serve as allies in spotted lanternfly battle
Predation of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) by generalist arthropod predators in North America
Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide
Spotted lanternfly may use 'toxic shield' to fend off bir predators 

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

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 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

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 updated guide to help growers select rootstocks for climate resilience, vineyard establishment, and future production.  

Resources:  

281: How Rootstock Impacts Vine Drought Tolerance and Longevity 
Evaluating Drought-Tolerant Rootstocks in Cool Climate Wine Grapes for Climate Change Resilience
Patricia Skinkis | Google Scholar
Patricia Skinkis | Instagram
Patricia Skinkis | LinkedIn
Patricia Skinkis | Oregon State University
Patricia Skinkis | Research Gate
Rootstock drought tolerance under dry-farmed conditions in Oregon's Willamette Valley
Rootstock effects on mature Pinot noir growth and productivity under cool climate, dry farmed conditions 

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

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

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 moisture, and what growers should know about managing vineyards with a deeper understanding of root biology. 

Resources:  

281: How Rootstock Impacts Vine Drought Tolerance and Longevity
Crop load – physiology, modelling and relationships to root growth in grapevines 
David Eissenstat
Importance of internal hydraulic redistribution for prolonging the lifespan of roots in dry soil
The Efficiency of Nutrient Acquisition over the Life of a Root 

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