Academic Resources

Papers, reviews and studies concerning regenerative agriculture and viticulture.

Physical, chemical and biological indicators of soil quality in Mediterranean vineyards under contrasting farming schemes

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 […]

The health of vineyard soils: towards a sustainable viticulture

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’. […]

Wine grape grower perceptions and attitudes about soil health

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 […]

Soil health management practices in New Zealand vineyards

Survey by 110 New Zealand growers of their views on different soil health management practices in the vineyard

Functional biodiversity in the vineyard

International Organisation of Vine and Wine OIV ‘collective expertise document’ (2018) presents an overview of functional biodiversity in vineyards: • Why, and to what extent, is enhancement of biodiversity beneficial?• The different ecological infrastructures that exist;• The key mechanisms of interactions between species or groups of species;• How these interactions can be used for the […]

Nature-based strategies to regenerate the functioning and biodiversity of vineyards

Raul Ochoa-Hueso et al., 2023 Overview of nature-based management strategies that may be used for the regeneration of the functioning and biodiversity of vineyards and that may also lead to improved plant nutrition, grape berry quality and the suppression of pathogens and pests. Focus on microbial and nonmicrobial biostimulants, fertilisation with organic amendments, foliar fertilisation […]

Smart selection of soil microbes for resilient and sustainable viticulture

Study to look into transplanting microbes from vines from hot, dry climates as a potential to improve vines’ resilience to drought

Quantifying soil carbon sequestration from regenerative agriculture practices in crops and vineyards

Review of 345 soil carbon sequestration measures across seven regen practices: agroforestry, cover cropping, legume cover cropping, animal integration, non-chemical fertiliser, non-chemical pest management and no tillage.

All practices increased carbon sequestration rate. Combining the practices may further enhance soil carbon sequestration

Mycorrhizal mycelium as a global carbon pool

A fascinating review into mycorrhizal fungi, including descriptions of the different functional types and how they contribute to global soil carbon pools. Conservative estimate that they fix approximately 36% of current annual CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. It is definitely worth setting time aside to read. Much of the language is accessible to non-scientists.

Evaluation of performance of winegrowing systems in the Bordeaux region and of agroecological transition scenarios

Study into transitioning to regenerative viticulture/agroecology in Blaye region of Bordeaux

Cover crop termination strategies

Garcia et al., 2024 3 year study in southern France into the effect of various termination strategies (early vs budburst termination period; mowing vs tillage vs roller-crimper) of winter cover crops on soil ecosystem functions, vine water and nutrient status, grapevine vigour and yield.

Climate change impacts and adaptations of wine production

van Leeuwen et al., 2024 Must read paper from leading researcher on how it is now mandatory for vineyard managers to adapt their practices in wine regions globally. Review discussing the consequences of changing temperature, precipitation, humidity, radiation and CO2 on global wine production, and exploring adaptation strategies. 90% of traditional wine regions in coastal […]

Regen Ag white paper in New Zealand

Grelet, Lang, et al. 2021 white paper exploring research pathways to build science-based evidence and national narratives. Viticulture is one of the four agricultural sectors analysed.

Down to Earth: identifying and promoting RV practices for soil and human health

Villat 2021 Harvard MSc thesis

Organic mulches as an alternative for under-vine weed management in Mediterranean irrigated vineyards

Cabrera-Perez et al., 2023 Under-vine weed management treatments compared: The researchers found that the mulches increased grape yields and reduced maximum soil temperatures. A 15cm mulch is an expensive input, but may reduce tractor passes in seasonal floor management and water usage due to reduced evaporation.

Sown wildflowers between vines increase beneficial insect abundance and richness in a British vineyard

Griffiths-Lee et al., 2022 This study investigated the effect on beneficial insects of different methods of increasing wildflowers in vine inter-rows. 5 treatments were applied: The researchers found that, by the second year of the study, there were significantly higher levels of beneficial insects in the sown rows and the row left to regenerate naturally […]

Cover crops and carbon stocks: how under-vine management influences soc inputs and turnover in two vineyards

How under-vine management influences SOC inputs and turnover in two vineyards

Sheep in the Vineyard: First Insights into a New Integrated Crop-Livestock System in Central Europe

An academically-framed report of 34 interviews with European winegrowers on their experience of introducing grazing sheep into their vineyards.

Regenerative Agriculture: An agronomic perspective

An academic paper exploring the difficulties in researching regenerative agriculture from an agronomic perspective.

Ecosystems and Human Well-Being

A UN-commissioned assessment conclusively linking ecosystem health and biodiversity to human well-being.

What Is Regenerative Agriculture? A Review of Scholar and Practitioner Definitions Based on Processes and Outcomes

A paper reviewing literature and practitioners mentioning regenerative agriculture, useful for gaining a greater understanding of the different uses and definitions of the term.

To till or not to till in a temperate ecosystem? Implications for climate change mitigation

Results of a study demonstrating that zero-tillage can represent a ‘win–win’ situation, where in addition to CO2 mitigation, other important benefits are achieved.

Defining and Managing for Healthy Vineyard Soils, Intersections With the Concept of Terroir

An academic review showing that the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of soil health overlap clearly with the soil related aspects of terroir.

Is Being Sustainable Enough for Australian Wine? Regenerative agriculture can redefine what is best practice viticulture

A paper exploring the transformative effects of regenerative agriculture in the vineyard.