December 18, 2024 / Atascadero, CA: To conclude a year defined by forward-thinking practices and community engagement, we at Vineyard Team proudly share an annual review to highlight our industry’s significant achievements and ongoing commitment to sustainable winegrowing.
In 2024, we hosted 8 Tailgates and 2 collaborative events across 3 counties, offering over 20 continuing education (CE) hours to growers and ag professionals. These events strengthened the sense of community, supported five local coffee shops, and fostered the formation of countless new friendships.
November’s annual Sustainable Ag Expo included:
- 531 attendees
- 63 exhibitors
- 3 special networking opportunities
- 16 in-person seminars
- 13 online courses
- 29 hours of continuing education
147 attendees experienced streamlined DPR reporting through a collaboration with CE Reported. All attendees enjoyed 38 gallons of coffee, 205 donuts, 26 bottles of wine, and 600 ounces of beer in the event’s lively and engaging atmosphere.
Our dedication to education extended to the Sustainable Winegrowing On-Demand program, made possible by Western SARE. Vineyard Team staff dedicated 654 hours to produce this innovative program, which was embraced by 120 participants who watched 526 hours of content and shared insights with 3,532 farmers.
Thanks to our generous community, we exceeded our fundraising goal for the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship, awarding $67,000 to 18 returning and 6 new scholars. Notably, all new scholars are first-generation college students. This year’s recipients are embarking on their academic journeys at 5 colleges across 2 states, with 3 staying local to the Central Coast.
The Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast expanded listeners’ access to cutting-edge sustainable practices through 48 brand-new episodes featuring over 50 industry experts. While the new 2024 episodes alone garnered over 17k downloads, the top-downloaded episodes of 2024 extended back to previous years, highlighting the timeless nature of the podcast’s educational content:
- 110: How to Develop a New Vineyard Site
- 72: Soil Microbes and Nutrient Availability
- 114: Designing a Vineyard for Year-Round Sheep Grazing
- 92: Regenerative Agriculture
- 80: The Goldilocks Principle & Powdery Mildew Management
As we look ahead, Vineyard Team remains committed to promoting sustainable winegrowing, facilitating educational opportunities, and community engagement. We extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported and participated in our initiatives this year.
This year also saw the addition of 12 new vineyards and 2,500 acres into the SIP Certified program, reinforcing our industry’s commitment to sustainability. We conducted 9 in-person Sustainable Story trainings for hospitality staff and updated the online course. Additionally, Whitney, SIP Certified Coordinator, published 9 Sustainable Story articles in Grape & Wine Magazine (2023 – 2024).
About Vineyard Team
Arising from growers’ interest to educate and guide themselves towards sustainable winegrowing practices, Vineyard Team has become an internationally recognized leader in the sustainability movement since 1994.
