273: Learn How to Talk SIP with This Simple Framework | Marketing Tip Monday
Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team
Release Date: 05/26/2025
297: Consumers Want Sustainable Wine—Here’s How to Be Seen | Marketing Tip Monday
Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team
Eco-conscious wine lovers are willing to pay more for sustainable products—but they won’t dig for details. In this Marketing Tip Monday, learn how to meet consumer demand for sustainability by making it easy. With 60% of younger and multicultural wine buyers preferring sustainable wines, visibility is key. Show your story at a glance with the SIP Certified logo on your label. It’s fast, simple, and signals your commitment to people and the planet. Resources: Vineyard Team Programs: ...
info_outline
296: Using Lasers for Bird Pest Management
Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team
Lasers may offer a chemical-free way to deter bird pests in vineyards and other agricultural systems. George Gallagher, Department Head of Animal Science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, explains why bird pressure goes beyond crop loss, raising concerns about disease risks like salmonella, E. coli, and transmission of avian influenza. He shares results from a controlled study using a handheld laser, aimed at birds’ feet, to measure how long it took them to respond. The research showed that different birds react differently. George highlights the importance...
info_outline
295: Wine Law Essentials: Contracts, TTB, Social Media & More
Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team
Legal oversights can cost wine brands dearly, but with the right guidance, many are entirely preventable. Lindsey Zahn, Managing Partner of Lindsey Zahn P.C. Alcoholic Beverage Law Firm, breaks down the top four legal pitfalls wineries and wine brands must avoid. From building solid contracts and understanding who owns what, to navigating TTB labeling rules, producing non-alcoholic wines, and staying compliant with social media advertising laws, this episode arms you with practical knowledge to reduce risk and protect your business from penalties. Resources: ...
info_outline
294: Rooted in Community: Winery Stories of Generosity | Marketing Tip Monday
Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team
Foxen and Niner show impactful ways to weave generosity into everyday business. As you plan for 2026, think about the unique ways your brand can meaningfully engage with your local community. Then, share your team’s participation, spotlight the organizations you support, and tell the stories that highlight your values. Resources: Vineyard Team Programs:
info_outline
293: How Solar Panels Can Improve Vine Resilience and Wine Balance
Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team
Rising temperatures and erratic weather accelerate ripening, spread disease faster, and shift sugar, alcohol, and acidity levels. All of which threaten wine quality and style. At Geisenheim University, Dr. Manfred Stoll is testing "vitivoltaics": semi-transparent, trackable solar panels installed above vines. The system moderates heat, radiation, and extreme weather, while improving young vine establishment and water infiltration. Beyond the vineyard, this renewable energy can power everything from irrigation pumps to EV charging stations for wine tasting guests. Resources: ...
info_outline
292: Testing Vinifera vs. Hybrids: Which Survives Climate Stress Better?
Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team
Will hybrid grapes help vineyards survive climate change? Professor Karine Pedneault of the Université du Québec en Outaouais explores this question through trials that expose grapevines to drought and heat stress. Testing both vinifera and hybrid varieties, her research measured plant water flow and metabolic responses to determine resilience. While hybrids still carry a stigma around flavor, they showed promising resistance, raising the potential to reduce fungicide use by up to half and adapt more sustainably to extreme weather scenarios. Resources: ...
info_outline
290: Fighting Powdery Mildew with UVC Light
Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team
With fungicide resistance on the rise, grape growers are looking for new ways to manage powdery mildew. Lexi McDaniel, Viticulture Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University, explores the science behind using UVC light to combat this grapevine disease by directly disrupting the DNA bonds needed for replication. She shares insights from her trials, including why the light must be applied at night, how often it needs to pass through the vineyard, and how this technique compares to traditional fungicide programs in both cost and effectiveness. Resources: ...
info_outline
291: 3 Eco Buzzwords You Didn't Know Are Sustainable | Marketing Tip Monday
Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team
Terms like “regenerative,” “climate‑smart,” and “social equity” aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the building blocks of sustainable winegrowing. Learn wine brands protect soil, reduce energy use, and support people, all while producing high-quality wine. Resources: Sustainable Story Worksheet Vineyard Team Programs:
info_outline
289: How Spotted Lanternfly Puts Grapes at Risk—and What Growers Can Do
Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team
Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is more than a nuisance, it poses a serious risk to vineyards. Brian Walsh, Extension Educator and Spotted Lanternfly Researcher with Penn State Extension, explains how this invasive insect threatens grapes across the eastern U.S. From unusual egg-laying behavior to honeydew-covered canopies that attract stinging insects, Walsh explores why vineyards are especially at risk and how growers can prepare during peak pressure in September. Learn about insecticide options, biocontrol efforts, and scouting strategies—whether SLF is in your area or not. Resources: ...
info_outline
288: Why Now Is the Time to Promote Your Sustainable Certification
Sustainable Winegrowing with Vineyard Team
64% of consumers say sustainability is a top purchasing factor—even during inflation. But how do you turn that intent into action? Learn how to close the “aspiration-action gap” by proudly promoting your sustainable certifications and showing customers your commitment to responsible practices. Resources: Sustainable Story Worksheet Vineyard Team Programs:
info_outline[00:00:00] Beth Vukmanic: Training season is fast approaching. It's time to get your hospitality staff prepared to welcome a range of guests from experienced enthusiasts to first timers.
[00:00:10] Welcome to Marketing Tip Monday. With SIP Certified. We know that your customers are looking for wines labeled as sustainable. While our longer form episodes help you learn about the latest science and research for the wine industry, these twice monthly micro podcasts will help you show your dedication to sustainable wine growing.
[00:00:29] Most people rarely consider the complex agricultural processes behind their favorite products. Use this opportunity to offer something truly unique insight into what makes your wine sustainable.
[00:00:42] Start by covering the basics of what sustainability is while you get to know your guest. Are they familiar with agriculture? Do they know that there is a relationship between the farm and the larger ecosystem?
[00:00:53] Sustainability means meeting the needs of today while ensuring that future generations successfully meet theirs. We do this by caring for the three Ps. People, planet, and prosperity
[00:01:06] people includes community involvement, charitable donations, continuing education and safety programs.
[00:01:12] Planet includes habitat conservation plans, integrated pest management, cover crops, and responsible irrigation
[00:01:20] prosperity includes sales and marketing plans, budgets, succession plans, and inventory and production records.
[00:01:27] If you're SIP certified, you could explain why your brand is a part of a third party program. Specifically, SIP certified is a certification for sustainable wine growers and winemakers. It uses independent third party auditors to verify the brand's practices and records to ensure that they're meeting strict standards.
[00:01:47] Now it's time to show how sustainability is specifically meaningful to your brand. This will help your guests understand what issues are important to you and what you're doing about them.
[00:01:57] Follow these three simple steps.
[00:01:59] One, download the sustainable story worksheet linked in the show notes.
[00:02:04] Two, talk with your vineyard manager, winemaker or general manager to get an example of each of the seven values, which include social responsibility. Water management, safe pest management, energy efficiency, habitat business, and always evolving.
[00:02:20] For example, attracting gopher hunting barn owls with barn owl boxes in the vineyard is a great example of safe pest management. And three, pick one value to focus on each month to share a fun story with your guests
[00:02:35] if you want to get inspired. We've been collecting sustainable stories from our SIP certified members for the last three years. You can find all of those linked in the show notes.
[00:02:45] And if you want to go deeper than the sustainable story worksheet, we have a great free online course that will help you learn what sustainability means in the wine industry and how to tell your own unique sustainable story.
[00:02:58] Until next time. This is sustainable wine growing with the Vineyard team.
Resources:
- *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course ***
- 2025 SIP Certified Sustainable Stories – get inspired
- Apply for SIP Certified Wine
- Marketing Tips eNewsletter
- Sustainable Story Worksheet