Resources

Materials and media concerning regenerative agriculture and viticulture. Further reading/viewing and links we can recommend for discovering more about regenerative viticulture.

March newsletter

Resources on vitiforestry, disease-resistant varieties, under-vine living mulches, cover crops and much more

3 episodes with Becky Sykes on RV

Series of 3 podcasts for the UK Wine Show. Becky explains the principles of regenerative viticulture, why the foundation was set up, what the foundation does and about the certification schemes that are now available. The interviews all start around 10 minutes in to the podcasts.

Vignes, vins et permaculture

The reference book from the highly experienced and respected French vineyard consultant Alain Malard.

Regenerative Viticulture Q&A with Dudley Brown

Regenerative Viticulture Q&A with Dudley Brown of Inkwell Wine, Australia’s first regeneratively certified vineyard

Mimi interviews Nicole Masters

No-till Growers Podcast episode ‘Behavioural change in a time of ecological urgency with the UNSTOPPABLE agroecologist Nicole Masters of Integrity Soils’. This episode is definitely worth listening as these are two of the most thought-provoking leading people in regenerative agriculture. From February 2024

February newsletter

Super cool podcasts featuring Mimi Casteel, Nicole Masters, Adam Huss, Steve Matthiasson; Grgich Hills on the economics of RV, Troon on their approach; certification, microbes, regenerative hydrology, plus lots more

Soil health with Marc-Andre Selosse

Everything you need to know about vineyard soils:

Cheeky Extra Newsletter

Bringing lots of French activity, plus some great ‘firsts’: first Savory Institute regen certified vineyard, first Australian ROC vineyard, first French regen certified vineyard. Plus cool vineyard helpers including pigs and barn owls

January newsletter

Here it is…. our first newsletter of the year. Full of fascinating articles, events, podcasts and scientific studies, including agroforestry in Champagne, field trials, studies and microbiome surveys around the world, our glossary of regenerative viticultural terms, and a great Farming for the Future interview with @johnkempf on ‘challenging regen ag assumptions’

Regenerative Learning

by Jesper Saxgren, Trustee of the RVF and Board Member of EarthWays Nordic Centre for Regenerative Learning How do we understand ‘regenerative learning’ and define regenerative in its broadest conceptual sense? In EarthWays we see, regenerative learning as an ongoing process of learning, a reflective effort to engage openly and attentively in nature’s conversation and […]

December newsletter

“Regen Wrapped”, our round up of the popular items we’ve shared over the last year. Take a look to see what everyone else was learning about regenerative viticulture in 2023

November newsletter

This month we want to bring optimism and ways to be part of the solution: Porto Protocol’s Living Vineyards pilot project to restore vineyard ecosystems, Napa Green’s Weed Management Toolkit, Eco Vineyards’ Biodiversity Action Plan resources and much more

October newsletter

Bringing you inspiring regenerative practitioners, a great article on what’s going on in and around your vine roots, an EU study suggesting regen practices should be added to organic management and articles about agroforestry

The rhizosphere: what lies beneath

What does a vine root know and how does it know it? Fascinating article by Roger Morris for the World of Fine Wine. The right side of geeky but delves right down into what is going on with the vine roots. Latest scientific thinking. Just great.

September newsletter

On water and how you can use regen practices to get your soil acting like a sponge to avoid the flood-drought cycle. Also on how Indigenous people have been practising ‘regenerative agriculture’ for centuries. There are also links to fascinating interviews (Gabe Brown, Mary Retallack, Zach Weiss), great blog posts and some beautiful photo-reportage.

Climate Change: the water paradigm

3 minute video by Jimmy Einstein explaining really simply why regenerating the soil can stop the drought-flood cycle

Gabe Brown interview

Gabe Brown explains how, if you pay attention and do things properly, you can reap the benefits of regenerative practices in a much shorter period of time than most believe they can By Growing Resilience

Vidacycle RV series #3: Abby Rose in conversation with Mary Retallack

We’re excited to share our third conversation from the new season with the amazing Mary Retallack. Mary is an agro-ecologist with many years of experience working & applying an ecological approach to viticulture, with a particular interest in native insectary plants and their potential in biocontrol. Mary runs her own small vineyard and consultancy Retallack […]

Video from IMW Symposium ’23

90 minute video of our ‘Farming for the Future’ panel – widely held to be one of the stand-out sessions of the IMW Symposium. 04 mins 50 secs Justin Howard-Sneyd MW‘Does viticulture have a problem?’, proposing that solutions lie in adopting RV practices 19 mins 40 secs Mimi Casteel4.5 billion years of evolutionary history, with […]

Decanter article on Regenerative Viticulture

If you’re wondering how regenerative is different to conventional, organic and biodynamic grape growing, look no further. Rupert Joy’s ‘Down to Earth’ report covers it all: what’s wrong with the way we’ve been farming grapes for decades, what regen does differently, who’s doing it and what certification schemes are out there. A must read.

August newsletter

Includes links to the latest controversy – carbon insetting. Plus a funded programme in the USA building a contintental-scale soil carbon inventory, acoustic probes for listening to earthworms in the soil, contour farming and much more

VidaCycle Regenerative Viticulture Series #3: Abby Rose in conversation with Sérgio Nicolau

We’re excited to share another conversation from the new season – the brilliant Sérgio Nicolau, fifth generation regenerative viticulturist and agronomist in Portugal. Sérgio has turned his family’s vineyard from conventional to organic, and in the last few years transitioned to fully regenerative. He has had great success with his cover cropping to improve water […]

VidaCycle Regenerative Viticulture Series #3: Mimi Casteel in conversation with Abby Rose

New conversations with brilliant viticulturists, to discuss regenerative experiments on the vines – successes, failures & learnings along the way. The first conversation of the new season is with Mimi Casteel, one of the trustees of the RVF. Mimi grew up working on the vineyard and winery of her parents, Bethel Heights, before studying forest […]

July newsletter

Catch up with what we’ve been up to recently – and what’s caught our eye. Includes videos of the Groundswell sessions on RV, a simple factsheet on how carbon is sequestered in the soil, information on the EcoVineyards scheme in Australia, Rodale Institute’s summer events in the USA and more…

Becky’s Blog: UK regen viticulturists’ farm visit, Harrow & Hope

June saw the first of what we hope will be many RVF farm visits. The truly generous folk at Harrow & Hope in the UK invited 20 regen-minded vineyard owners and managers along to check out what regenerative viticulture looks like on their farm. When we finally stopped debating, we had a tour with Harrow […]

In depth article on what the RVF is all about

‘RVF looks to shake up winemaking’ by Richard Siddle in The Buyer, June 2023. Stephen Cronk sets out what the organisation is all about and the steps it has already taken to get wine producers and growers around the world looking to farm and manage their vineyards differently

The secret life of fungi in vineyards

Beneath our feet lies a complex underworld kingdom. Soil is the foundation that allows viticulture to be possible and fungi keep this network alive. Aliya Whiteley’s potted history of fungi in vineyards, as published in RVF founding supporters Berry Bros and Rudd’s No.3 magazine page 16-17

June newsletter

We dish the dirt on dirt, in particular soil health and how mycorrhizal fungi can improve drought resistance

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

Trees in Viticulture?

ARENI global podcast with Mimi Casteel on the relevance of trees in vineyards

Napa RISE workshop recordings

Leading practitioners in Regen Viticulture in the USA. Includes Mimi Casteel’s ‘marquee address’ on proactive farming, soil health and biodiversity. All available to view online

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.

Villat’s 2021 thesis on identifying and promoting RV practices

‘Down to Earth: identifying and promoting RV practices for soil and human health’ explores carbon sequestration in vineyards and barriers to implementation of RV practices.

The role of biodiversity in vines in a changing climate

Porto Protocol climate talk bringing together producers from around the world to talk about their experience of enhancing biodiversity, sharing solutions.

Choice of grape varieties as a resilience building tool

Porto Protocol climate talk on climate change causing long term geographical shifts in suitable grape varieties and production areas. Solutions that adapt to climate change include different varieties, clones and rootstocks.

A wine world beyond glyphosate

Porto Protocol climate talk ‘solutions perspective’ to the controversy surrounding glyphosate. Includes discussions on:

New challenges in managing soils

Porto Protocol climate talk with Jason Haas of Tablas Creek, hosted by Stephen Cronk. Looking into the challenges associated with managing vineyard soils regeneratively

Building climate resilience with animals in the vineyards

Porto Protocol climate talk on the benefits of integrating animals into vineyard management: carbon sequestration, soil health and biodiversity, reduction in herbicides and chemicals

Discovering the world of vineyard microbes

Porto Protocol climate talk ‘research edition’, with academics and experts sharing the results of different studies into vineyard microbes. Explores the structure, function and management of the vineyard microbiome. Learn how management practices influence the health of our vineyards, the environment and the wine.

Biochar as a climate mitigation tool

Porto Protocol climate talk hosted by Mimi Casteel. With Antoine Lespes from Domaine Lafage, Hans-Peter Schmidt from the Delinat Institute and Claudia Kammann from Geisenheim University

AWRI Regenerative Viticulture – what, how and why?

The first half of this November 2022 webinar explores the key principles of regen ag and the drivers that influence on-farm decision making and farmer aspirations. The second half explores incorporating these principles into a vineyard management system and why wine grapegrowers are moving in this direction. Plus a holistic grazing expert on sheep grazing […]

Porto Protocol climate talks

Informative discussions on every climate related aspect of wine making, all available to watch online or listen to as podcasts. Vineyard topics include: biochar, soil microbes, animals, soil management, the world beyond glyphosate, choice of grape varieties to aid resilience, healthy soils, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, coping with extreme weather events

Silent Earth: Averting the insect apocalypse

Drawing on the latest ground-breaking research and a lifetime’s study, Dave Goulson reveals the long decline of insect populations that has taken place in recent decades and its potential consequences. eye-opening and inspiring, it asks for profound change at every level.

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 […]

Jeff Lowenfels’ Teaming with Microbes

Healthy soil is teaming with life – not just earthworms and insects, but a staggering multitude of bacteria, fungi and other microogranisms. This microbial life sustains health plants. The use of chemical fertilisers breaks this relationship, leaving plants dependent on artificial substances. But there is an alternative. We can instead use practices that strengthen the […]

Nicole Master’s For the Love of Soil

A land manager’s roadmap to healthy soil. This book equips producers with knowledge, skills and insights to regenerate ecosystem health and grow farm profits. Nicole is a globally recognised soil advocate and agroecologist.

Merlin Sheldrake’s Entangled Life

How fungi make our worlds, change our minds and shape our futures. Most fungi live out of sight, yet make up a massively diverse kingdom of organisms that support and sustain nearly all living systems. The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them. Fungi link plants together in complex networks known […]

Gabe Brown’s Dirt to Soil

The pioneer of the regenerative agriculture movement’s story of his family’s regen journey. As featured in the Netflix documentary ‘Kiss the Ground’. The perfect regen starter for 10 for those wanting to start on their own journeys

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.

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

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 compared to the mowed […]

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 No-Till Market Garden Podcast

The RVF’s Mimi Casteel turns interviewer, and brings in some serious players in the world of regenerative wine, including Miguel Torres, Eric Texier, and celeb Regen farmer Andy Cato.

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

Diverse Vineyard Cover Crops at Greystone Wines 

The team at Greystone Wines began extensively cover cropping in 2020. Attempts to direct drill cover crops into existing pasture largely failed due to the presence of a thick browntop thatch that prevented seedling establishment. Cover crops sown following the cultivation of new vine blocks established much better.

Improving Soil & Vine Health at Greystone Wines 

Greystone Wines have a very low input direct plant nutrition programme that simply involves the addition of seaweed to all spray passes.

Minimising Disturbance Under-Vine at Greystone Wines 

Greystone Wines now see the use of under vine cultivation as a transitional tool on their journey from a conventional system to regenerative organic. Cultivation was creating erosion risks and increased the prevalence of deep rooted woody weed such as mellow which were difficult to manage.

Holistic Grazing Sheep in Vineyards at Greystone Wines 

Greystone Wines have been winter grazing the neighbouring farmers sheep since the vineyard was established, typically from May-September.

Biological Pest & Disease Management for Vines at Greystone Wines

Greystone Wines, as an organically certified vineyard, has limited tools available to manage pest and disease pressure.

Regenerative Viticulture at Greystone Wines 

This Quorum Sense case study looks at the regenerative innovation occurring on two very different vineyards – a large family owned and operated vineyard in Marlborough producing high quality savingnon blanc, and a smaller vertically integrated vineyard in the Waipara hills producing a diversity of organic wines.

Diverse Vineyard Cover Crops at Holdaway Vineyards 

The Holdaways have been extensively cover cropping since 2018, starting with every second row to ensure there was a row clear for tractors to drive down.

Holistic Grazing Sheep in Vineyards at Holdaway Vineyards 

The Holdaways used to set stock 1000-1500 merino lambs across the 182ha vineyard for five months over autumn/winter.

Regenerative Viticulture at Holdaway Vineyards 

This Quorum Sense case study looks at the regenerative innovation occurring on two very different vineyards – a large family owned and operated vineyard in Marlborough producing high quality savingnon blanc, and a smaller vertically integrated vineyard in the Waipara hills producing a diversity of organic wines.

Improving Soil & Vine Health at Holdaway Vineyards 

The fertile soils of the Holdaway vineyards supply their high yielding vines with sufficient macronutrients (phosphorous, potassium, sulfur etc) without requiring any fertiliser addition. Enough atmospheric nitrogen is also fixed each year to meet the vines needs, so N fertiliser is not applied either.

Biological Pest & Disease Management for Vines at Holdaway Vineyards 

The Holdaways are also successfully managing insect pests without insecticides, with flowering cover crops attracting beneficial predatory insects that keep pest species in check.

Minimising Disturbance Under-Vine at Holdaway Vineyards 

The Holdaways goals for under vine management across the majority of their vineyards are to minimise herbicide use and tractor passes while also minimising competition with the high producing vines.

The Quorum Sense Regenerative Viticulture Case Study Trailer

This Quorum Sense case study looks at the innovation occurring on two very different vineyards – a large family owned and operated vineyard in Marlborough producing high quality savingnon blanc, and a smaller vertically integrated vineyard in the Waipara hills producing a diversity of organic wines.

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

Jamie Goode’s book “Regenerative Viticulture”

Viticulture faces a turning point. We are beginning to realise that the way wine grapes are being grown is not truly sustainable

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.

Cover crops and carbon stocks

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

The Launch of the RVF at London’s 67 Pall Mall

The RVF launch included speakers Mimi Casteel, Miguel Torres, Dr Jamie Goode and Jancis Robinson MW. Hosted by Justin Howard-Sneyd MW and Stephen Cronk.

New group promotes regenerative viticulture in climate battle

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

New Challenges of Managing Soil

The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation partnered with the Porto Protocol to host their recent Climate Talk on Managing Soils.

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.

Setting up and implementing result-based carbon farming mechanisms in the EU

The EU has published this technical guidance on implementing a carbon farming mechanism in the EU. Opportunities and challenges are identified, based on analysis of EU carbon farming schemes implemented or trialled over recent decades.

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.

Regenerative Viticulture Symposium – Allan Savory

In late June 2021, Familia Torres hosted a full day symposium on Regenerative Viticulture. Here is a video of Allan Savory’s contribution to the symposium.

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

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – Sixth Assessment Report

The IPCC report on climate change which lays out the most comprehensive current understanding and forecasts of global climate change.

Sustainable Wine

Sustainable Wine Ltd is a purpose driven business based in London. Their mission is to make sustainability mainstream in the wine industry.

The Vineyard Team

Arising from growers’ interest to educate and guide themselves towards sustainable winegrowing practices, the Vineyard Team has become an internationally recognised leader in the sustainability movement.

The Regenerative Agriculture Podcast

A show for professional growers looking to greatly increase crop quality, yield, and profit.

Kiss The Ground

A podcast hosted by the largest global regenerative agriculture organisation, Kiss The Ground.

Farmerama

Farmerama Radio is an award-winning podcast sharing the voices behind regenerative farming.

Ungrafted

Ungrafted is a podcast about wine, humanity, and the planet.

VidaCycle Regenerative Viticulture Series #3: Practicalities of Regenerative Viticulture; Dan Rinke with Luke Spalding

Dan Rinke and Luke Spalding in conversation, sharing their experiences, highs, and lows of transforming vineyards through regenerative viticulture.

VidaCycle Regenerative Viticulture Series #2: Regenerative experiments in a UK vineyard; RegenBen with Abby Rose

Ben Taylor-Davies a.k.a. “RegenBen”, a 2016 Nuffield Scholar with a vineyard in Herefordshire and with a passion for regenerative viticulture interviewed by Abby Rose.

VidaCycle Regenerative Viticulture Series #1: Building Soil Health in your Vineyard with Nicole Masters

An interview with Nicole Masters agro-ecologist and viticulture consultant exploring her experiences and advice in implementing regenerative practices in 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.