Articles

Articles and blogs relevant to regenerative viticulture.

Old Vine Registry

This crowd-sourced global database of living historic vineyard sites has been set up to increase awareness of old vines. From a regenerative viewpoint, old vines are great as they are so much more resilient and don’t need irrigation.

Berry Bros & Rudd rethinking their relationship with soil

One of our founding supporters on their commitment to nature-beneficial practices and their support for the RVF. Having been around for 325 years, they are used to taking a long-term view

Proposed new RV courses

The University of Wales Trinity St. David’s in Lampeter has been working on the establishment of an Academy of Food, based on the Lampeter campus, for over 12 months. The focus of the potential facility will be to create a hub for sustainable food production in the area; combining spaces for artisanal producers and a […]

RVA’s conference on soil biology

This conference from our friends at the Regenerative Viticulture Association brought us a really deep dive into what’s happening underneath your feet in your vineyard. If you want to know how the vines get their nutrients from the soil without chemical fertilisers, watch the video of the conference. Jeff Lowenfels (2hr10min into the video) is […]

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

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.

May Newsletter

If you are on our mailing list, look in your inbox for our May newsletter. It’s full of forthcoming events and news. We have a new Programme Director, two new Founding Supporters and links to resources on bees, wildflowers and under-vine mulches. For something for you ears, don’t miss the podcast on soil health indicators. […]

Farming in service of nature

Tom Croghan of Dodon Vineyard explains how they use the tools of agroecology to regenerate the soil: limiting tillage, applying organic amendments, incorporating indigenous microorganisms from the surround forest and using grazing animals. They have discarded the either/or mentality to find values-driven, integrated solutions that benefit the environment, the community and their company. An excellent […]

The Noble Ouessant – vineyard sheep du choix?

Wendy Outhwaite of Ambriel Vineyard in West Sussex reports on her experiences of using the Ouessant – a hardy dwarf sheep from Brittany – in her vineyards. We’ve been winter-grazing sheep in the vineyard for about a decade. Here’s what we discovered. Breed As our vineyard in West Sussex has stunning views over the South […]

The World Soil Imperative: What If They Planted A Garden And Nothing Grew?

Veteran Forbes journalist Louise Schiavone responds to the the 2022 World Soil report by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization with its clear warning that we need to focus on building soil organic carbon stocks by switching to regenerative farming practices, and the importance of bringing these practices into the wine world.

The effectiveness of tillage and cover crops

Alistair Nesbitt reviews a recent paper studying the effects of growing cover crops and avoiding tilling on a range of different soil types to determine the effect on carbon storage in the soil

Deploying Sheep in the Vineyard

Research from UC Davis Ph.D. candidate and agroecology researcher Kelsey Brewer indicates that sheep grazing can enhance carbon sequestration and improve soil health, microbial biomass and nutrient content in vineyards.

The secret science of why biodiversity is key to regenerative viticulture

Our friend Abby Rose at Vidacycle talks about the highlights of a 4-part webinar series with Dr. Christine Jones, hosted by US-based cover crop supplier Green Cover Seed

Regenerative agriculture needs a reckoning

Why avoiding uncomfortable conversations about equity, race, and access threatens to spoil a nascent movement’s environmental promise

Is regenerative viticulture the answer?

Tamlin Currin from JancisRobinson.com poses the question whether regenerative viticulture could be the answer to wine producers becoming front-line generals in the battle to save our planet.

New group promotes regenerative viticulture in climate battle

Rupert Joy covers the launch of the RVF in this article from Decanter

California Vineyards Use Owls Instead of Pesticides

Rather than turning to rodenticides to deter pests, graduate students at Humboldt State University in California are testing a more natural approach by using owls.

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.

Wineries Devoted To Sustainability Are Becoming The Rule, Not The Exception

A Forbes article detailing various wine brands making inroads into sustainable and regenerative winegrowing.

Days of wine and olives: how the old farming ways are paying off in Spain

The ‘no-plough’ regenerative methods adopted in small vineyards have spread to olive groves and leading wine producers – boosting biodiversity and profits

Jackson Family Pushes for Greater Action on Climate Change and Sustainability

California-based wine giant sets itself ambitious environmental goals for 2030 and urges other wineries to follow suit