Papers, reviews and studies concerning regenerative agriculture and viticulture.
These IVES technical reviews are just brilliant. This one is by Nicolas Poly and Benjamin Bois. Definitely worth reading if you are wondering what biochar is all about
Article about soon-to-be-published study by Axel Herrera, Ellen M Bruno and Cristina Lazcano at UC Davis. Using data from 4 Sonoma County vineyards, they show that regenerative agriculture practices result in similar degrees of farm-level profitability over a 30 year horizon relative to conventional practices, assuming no change in yields.
Gholamahmadi et al., 2025 Study in sandy loam soil in Portugal found that after sowing with biodiverse pasture seeds, compared to a control, biochar:
Thiollet-Scholtus et al., 2025 (OENO One) Published in cooperation with the 23rd GiESCO International Conference, July 21-27, 2025, hosted by the Hochschule Geisenheim University in Geisenheim, Germany. This study used semi-structured interviews with extension specialists in warm and cool regions of France and USA to explore context-specific barriers and opportunities for adoption of SOC-building practices. […]
Katherine Favor, USDA National Agroforestry Center, May 2025 Windbreaks and hedgerows are two types of conservation buffers that can provide benefitsto vineyards and the surrounding landscape. Windbreaks are rows of trees and/or shrubs inlinear configurations, often established with the goal of slowing wind. Hedgerows are densegroupings of trees, shrubs, and other plants in a linear […]
Katherine Favor, USDA National Agroforestry Center, May 2025 Paper on incorporating trees into vineyards. Includes the benefits of alley cropping in vineyards: Plus information on
Katherine Favor, USDA National Agroforestry Center, May 2025 Excellent paper on managing livestock and forage within vineyards. Includes detail on: Figure by Janine Siatkowski, USDA Forest Service Positive interactions Negative interactions
In January 2025 we published a study into all the peer-reviewed research related to regenerative viticulture published over the last 15 years. It was a monumental undertaking! It takes a long time to read. Here we summarise some of the findings related to specific RV practices. The benefits of cover crops What do cover crops […]
‘The importance of microbial biodiversity in a context of sustainable viticulture’ A comprehensive overview of the microbial diversity in vineyards, illustrating the major traits of fungi andbacteria populating the viticultural environment: their roles and mechanisms of interaction, and how these interactions can be beneficial from the vineyard to the winery. This is not easy reading […]
Original research in Italian, with auto translation options available in 6 languages on Infowine, finding beehives influence the yeast population present on the grapes. Angela Capece et al., University of Basilicata, Universitas Mercatorum 2025
Menezes et al, 2024 A novel approach to sun radiation modelling as a response to climate change
Steng et al, 2024 Functional diversity of the above-ground fungal community under long-term integrated, organic and biodynamic vineyard management.
Mezzatesta et al, 2024 Soil-associated fungal and prokaryotic diversity influenced by stoniness, depth and vintage in a high-altitude vineyard.
Hasanaliyeva et al, 2024 Study finding that cover crops can contribute to early season disease management by reducing splashback of pathogens.
Vento et al, 2024 Assessing the contribution of spontaneous vegetation to carbon storage and biodiversity in a vineyard in Argentina.
Raveau et al, 2024 Broad spectrum efficacy and modes of action of 2 bacillus strains against black rot and downy mildew.
Bragato Research Institute in New Zealand is research on the use of UV-C light to reduce fungicide dependence.
Bansal et al, 2024 Study by Cristina Lazcano’s team at UC Davis found grazing affects microbial function (but not diversity) while tillage has strong effects on soil prokaryotic and fungal diversity.
Study informing nest box design and placement for the benefits of farmers and owls in California. Johnson et al., 2024 https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22712 Study addressed 3 primary objectives: 1) develop a nest box selection model in the well-studied region of Napa Valley, California, USA, 2) evaluate this model’s predictive performance in other regions of California, and 3) […]
RVF’s new study shows the potential of regenerative viticulture to boost vineyard health and resilience in the face of climate change
Andres et al., 2022 Comparison of soil quality at three vineyards managed under intensive, regenerative and minimum impact strategies using physical, chemical and biological indicators. Soil carbon stocks were 2.3 and 3.4 times greater in the regenerative and the minimal impact vineyards than in the intensive vineyard, respectively. Soil biota was particularly favoured by regenerative […]
Visconti et al., 2024 Review into soil health as it relates to vineyards, including soil degradation factors and processes that threaten winegrowing regions, successful soil enhancement practices and future research trends. The authors state that conventional viticulture has harsh impacts on the soil, degrading the soil, jeopardising its sustainability and the very nature of ‘terroir’. […]
Gonzalez-Maldonado et al., 2024 UC Davis survey with Cristina Lazcano of the views of 16 Napa Valley grape growers regarding soil health and the barriers to adopting practices to improve soil health. Findings are that most growers are willing to adopt more soil health practices if additional specific, practical information could be provided on outcomes […]
Survey by 110 New Zealand growers of their views on different soil health management practices in the vineyard
