Join us to explore the tools, equipment, and innovations shaping vineyard operations right now — from robotics and automation to monitoring systems and precision ag tools.

📅 Wednesday, June 10 | 9:00 am–12:00 pm
➡️ St. Phillipe Vineyard | Soledad, CA
🎟️ Register now >>> https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2026tailgatesevents/event/techfieldday/

The morning begins with a discussion around the practical realities of adopting ag technology, including:

📊 ROI & long-term economics
👷 Labor challenges & efficiencies
⚙️ What’s working in the field
🌱 How technology fits into sustainable vineyard operations

Then explore vineyard technology firsthand through field demonstrations and conversations with participating companies:
• Agritech America
• Agtonomy
• AMOS
• Burro
• CLEMENS
• Coastal Tractor
• Cropmind
• Cypress AgriTech
• Hot Spot Ag
• Kingman Ag
• Lumo
• Mid-Cal Motorsports
• Parabug
• Pellenc Australia
• Ranch Systems Inc.
• RDO Equipment Co.
• Reservoir
• SAGA Robotics
• Scanit Technologies, Inc.
• Strategic Viticulture
• SWAN Systems
• Vineyard Robotics
• VineView
• WiseConn
• Yamaha

Whether you’re actively investing in technology or just trying to understand what’s out there, this event is designed to help growers evaluate practical applications, not just concepts.

Come ask questions, compare solutions, and see what’s possible in the field!

The biggest challenge in ag technology isn’t innovation. It’s building tools that actually work on the farm.

In a recent episode of Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team, Craig Macmillan sat down with Matthew Hoffman, PhD , General Partner and Head of Farms at Reservoir, to discuss a growing challenge in ag tech: how to bridge the gap between promising ideas and practical vineyard solutions.

Reservoir is taking a unique approach. Instead of developing technology in isolation, the company partners directly with growers to help startups test and refine tools in real farming environments before they reach the market. Their work focuses on specialty crops, including winegrapes, where vineyard variability, labor demands, and regional differences make technology adoption especially complex.

Why Grower Feedback Matters

As Hoffman explains in the episode, many startups entering agriculture have strong engineering talent and funding, but limited experience in production agriculture. Growers provide the operational reality check.

A technology might function in theory, but growers help answer the practical questions:

• Does it actually save labor?

• Can it handle real vineyard conditions?

• Is the ROI there?

• Does it fit into existing farming operations?

• Will crews and managers realistically use it?

Reservoir’s incubator model gives startups access to commercial vineyards, equipment, shop space, and most importantly, grower feedback.

Emerging Technologies in the Vineyard

The conversation highlights several technologies currently being explored in vineyards:

• Autonomous Equipment. Companies are developing autonomous mowers, sprayers, and tractors designed to reduce labor demands while increasing operational efficiency.

• Robotics & Physical AI. Machine-guided systems are being trained to navigate vineyard rows and potentially assist with labor-intensive tasks like pruning and shoot thinning.

• Machine Vision & Crop Forecasting. New tools are using cameras and AI-driven analytics to estimate crop load, improve forecasting, and support vineyard management decisions.

• Farm Management & Data Systems. Digital tools continue evolving to help growers integrate field observations, imagery, and operational data into everyday decision-making.

Why Specialty Crops Are Different.

One key takeaway from the episode is that specialty crops require region-specific solutions.

Technology that works in one vineyard may not translate directly to another region, trellis system, or production style. Hoffman emphasizes that successful ag tech adoption starts small: one crop, one region, one operational challenge at a time.

That’s why collaboration between growers, researchers, startups, and industry organizations is becoming increasingly important.

See the Technology in the Field

If you want to see some of these technologies firsthand, Reservoir and several of its incubator startups will be participating in Vineyard Team’s Technology Field Day on June 10, 2026 in Soledad, California.

The event brings together growers, ag tech companies, and industry professionals for live demonstrations and practical discussions about adopting new technology in vineyard operations.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Explore ag tech tools in the field

• Ask questions directly to developers

• Evaluate practical applications

• Discuss labor, ROI, and implementation challenges

Explore This Topic Further

🎧 LISTEN IN to the full podcast episode featuring Matthew Hoffman

🚜 REGISTER for Technology Field Day.

💧 SGMA implementation is moving forward across California — but what does that mean for growers on the ground?

Join us for a Tailgate focused on regional groundwater updates, agricultural water use, and practical insight into what growers should expect moving forward.

📅 Tuesday, June 2 | 9:00–11:00 AM
📍 Dierberg & Star Lane Vineyards | Lompoc, CA
🎟️ REGISTER >>> https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2026tailgatesevents/event/sgma-update/

Hear directly from groundwater agency representatives in:
• Monterey
• Paso Robles
• San Luis Obispo
• Santa Ynez
• San Antonio

They’ll share updates on:
💧 Groundwater Sustainability Plans
📊 Actions underway in each region
🌱 What growers should prepare for next

Plus, Mark Battany will discuss how Land IQ is using evapotranspiration (ET) data to better understand agricultural water use and support SGMA planning in regions including the Santa Ynez Valley and Paso Robles Basin.

Topics include:
• Consumptive use estimates
• ET measurements & modeling
• Potential water conservation strategies

Attendees can also join an optional vineyard tour following the event, where Taylor Jones (Star Lane & Dierberg) will share lessons learned from:
🌱 Eight years of no-till farming
🌾 Native cover cropping practices

If SGMA impacts your operation — now or in the future — this is an opportunity to hear regional updates, ask questions, and connect with others navigating the same challenges.

Join Vineyard Team and Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance for a focused half-day 2026 Industry Update designed to help you navigate what’s happening now—and what’s coming next!

Hear directly from industry experts as they break down the trends, risks, and opportunities shaping grape growing in 2026.

📅 Wednesday, May 20 | 9:00 am-12:00 pm; tickets include lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm
➡️ at Springhill Suites in Atascadero
🎟️ Reserve your spot* >>> https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2026tailgatesevents/event/2026-industry-update/

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Event sessions include:

📊Grape Market Update & Industry Outlook
Get clarity on what’s happening in the grape market and what it means for your operation:
- Key trends shaping pricing and demand
- Vineyard removals and supply outlook
- What to expect in the next 12+ months

Speakers: Audra Cooper & Eddie Urman (Turrentine Brokerage)

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💰 Grants & Funding Opportunities Panel
Learn how to access and successfully use available funding:
- Where to start and how to choose the right program
- What makes a strong application
- What to expect after funding is awarded
- How to plan ahead

Speakers: Stasi Seay (Moderator, Hope Family Wines), Cade Cappello (Pollinator Partnership), Drew Loganbill (Upper Salinas - Las Tablas Resource Conservation District), Paige Callaghan (Central Coast Community Energy)

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🏛️ Policy & Advocacy Update
Stay ahead of changes that could impact your vineyard:
- Key statewide policy updates
- Labor, water, and compliance considerations
- What to prepare for next

Speaker: Michael Miiller (California Association of Winegrape Growers)

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Whether you're making planting decisions, evaluating your market strategy, or looking to leverage available resources, this event will give you the insight and context to move forward with confidence.

Thank you to our event sponsors!
AgWest Farm Credit
Central Coast Community Energy
TricorBraun

*Vineyard Team members: use code VTMEMBER; Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance members: use code PRWCA

🌱 Holistic Soil Health Tailgate | Join the Conversation in the Field
📅 Friday, May 8, 9-11 am at Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery

What does soil health look like in practice?
Join us in the field where growers, researchers, and industry professionals will come together to share what’s working.

You’ll hear from:
• Jenny Garley (Bio SI) — using sap sugar levels as a practical indicator of plant and soil health
• Stewart Wilson, PhD (Cal Poly) — soil science insights grounded in current research
• Mike Costello (Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative) — funding opportunities for cover crops and soil-building practices

Plus, a grower panel featuring:
• Bob Tillman (Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery)
• John Howell (@Booker Vineyards)
• Jordan Lonborg (Coastal Vineyard Care Associates)
• Steve Vierra (Derby Wine Estates)

This is a chance to hear directly from peers, ask questions, and walk away with ideas you can apply.

Bring your questions—and your experience!
👉https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2026tailgatesevents/event/soilhealth/


Vineyard Team members get FREE tickets to every Tailgate. 😊
Find out how to join the community >>> https://www.vineyardteam.org/membership/

Join Vineyard Team and Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance for a half-day Industry Update bringing together growers, experts, and advocates for a timely pulse check on grape markets, grower resources, and state-level developments shaping our region in 2026.

This ticketed* event includes lunch and will feature:

• Grape Market Update & Industry Outlook – A look at current bulk wine and grape market trends, supply and demand dynamics, and what they mean for your business decisions this season.
• Grants & Funding Opportunities Panel – Moderated by an experienced grower, this conversation brings together funding and program specialists who work directly with agricultural grants and cost-share programs. Learn what opportunities are available, how to position your operation for success, and what makes a strong application.
• Policy & Advocacy Update – Michael Miiller of the California Association of Winegrape Growers shares key statewide developments and policy priorities impacting vineyards today.

Whether you're navigating market shifts or looking to leverage new resources, this event will provide practical insights and meaningful connections.

REGISTER

 *Vineyard Team and PRWCA members: check your email for your discount code or contact hayli@vineyardteam.org.

Presented by:

Photo credit: Likely Story Strategies // Craft & Cluster

Building healthy soils is key to resilient vineyards—but how do you measure success, and which practices truly move the needle?

Join us for an in-field discussion exploring soil health from multiple angles, starting with three presentations:

Jenny Garley (Bio SI) will share insights on using sap sugar levels as a practical indicator of plant and soil health, highlighting how increased microbial activity (especially fungi) can boost photosynthesis and overall vineyard performance.

Dr. Stewart Wilson (Cal Poly) will provide a soil science perspective, grounding the conversation in the latest research and field applications.

Mike Costello (Oakville Bluegrass) will outline current funding and grant opportunities available to growers, with a focus on cover crops and soil-building practices.

We’ll then transition to a grower panel led by host Bob Tillman, sharing real-world experience implementing regenerative practices.

REGISTER

Tour Condor’s Hope Vineyard in the Cuyama Valley and see how a dry-farmed vineyard can succeed in an arid landscape. Steve Gliessman will share insights on vineyard design, rootstock selection, and establishment practices that help set vines up for long-term resilience.

Learn how soil cultivation techniques can maximize storage of limited rainfall, along with other farming practices tailored to this unique site.

Transportation is provided. Please select the carpool transportation option when registering if you plan to ride with the group.

Itinerary:

8:00-9:00 am - Pick up at Santa Maria Speedway
9:00-11:00 am - Tour at Condor's Hope Vineyard
11:00 am-12:00 pm - Drop off at Santa Maria Speedway

REGISTER

Pick up location for carpool transportation:

Santa Maria Speedway, 1900 Hutton Rd, Nipomo, CA 93444

This meeting is funded by the Department of Water Resources and is a collaboration between CSWA and CAFF.

Wednesday, April 8 | 9-11 am | Soledad

Mothballing a vineyard is a strategic decision to reduce costs during times of low grape demand or market uncertainty, while preserving long-term vineyard health and potential. This roundtable invites growers to share their experiences with mothballing—why they chose this route, what they hope to achieve, and what practices are (or aren’t) working.

We’ll discuss the financial impacts, lessons learned, and when mothballing might no longer be necessary. Whether you’re considering this approach or already navigating it, join us for an open, practical discussion with your peers. 

 REGISTER

Morning fuel sponsored by:

SIP Certified is stepping into 2026 with a refreshed brand and redesigned website aimed at making sustainably produced wines easier for consumers to recognize and find.

The updated visual identity and digital experience strengthen the connection between certified winegrowers and today’s sustainability-minded wine buyers—while maintaining the independent, science-based standards that have defined the program for decades.

Research shows that 64% of consumers rank environmental sustainability as a top buying factor. As interest in responsible farming and “better-for-you” products continues to grow, wine buyers are paying closer attention to how their wine is produced.

“Buyers are looking more closely at how their wine is grown and produced,” said Beth Vukmanic, Executive Director of Vineyard Team, the parent organization of SIP Certified.
“SIP Certified has always represented accountability and science-backed standards. This update ensures that commitment is clear and recognizable.”

Research-Informed Evolution

To guide the update, SIP Certified partnered with Likely Story Strategies to better understand how wine buyers evaluate sustainability claims.

The research highlighted three key drivers influencing purchasing decisions:

• Consumers want to know the story behind the bottle
• Independent certification builds trust, especially in digital environments
• Environmentally responsible wines stand out in a crowded marketplace

The refreshed identity responds with clearer messaging, updated visuals, and a streamlined digital experience built for how consumers discover and research wine today.

The New SIPCertified.org — Now Live

The redesigned SIPCertified.org brings together brand discovery, education, and program resources in one central hub for both wine drinkers and industry professionals.

New features include:

• Wine Finder — Locate SIP Certified wines by region or brand
• Real Sustainable Stories — Meet the growers and winemakers behind the seal
• Impact Statistics — See measurable outcomes of certified practices
• Certification Information — Resources for vineyards and wineries exploring certification

Same Standards. Stronger Presence.

While the look has evolved, SIP Certified’s foundation remains unchanged. The program continues to verify environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability through independent evaluation aligned with current science and industry innovation.

With its refreshed identity and website now live, SIP Certified reinforces its role as a leading benchmark for sustainable winegrowing—helping consumers quickly identify wines produced with care for people and the planet.

Explore the new site: SIPCertified.org