Revolutionary Autonomous Mildew Fighting UV Robot Maker Targets U.S. Winegrape Growers in New Push, Hiring Regenerative Champion Caine Thompson as GM

Saga Robotics' trialed the UV robots at Bien Nacido in the Central Coast

According to Google Search AI: "California wine grape growers heavily utilize fungicides, with approximately 90% of acreage treated annually, primarily for powdery mildew, which accounts for 74% of all pesticide applications. Programs typically involve 5.6 to 8+ in-season applications. Sulfur is the most used material, though synthetic fungicides like myclobutanil and quinoxyfen are also common."

[Saga Robotics press release announcing the management change.]

22nd Jan 2026 - Saga Robotics today announced the appointment of Caine Thompson as General Manager, U.S., effective January 26, 2026, as the company accelerates its commercial expansion in the U.S. 

During the 2025 California wine grape season, Saga Robotics successfully achieved a 10x increase in acres under treatment, marking a significant milestone in the adoption of its autonomous Thorvald UV-C robot. Building on this momentum, the company expects to almost triple treated acreage again in 2026.

Caine brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across agriculture, sustainability, and commercial operations in the United States and New Zealand. 

Most recently, Caine Thompson served as General Manager & Head of Sustainability at O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, where he led large-scale operational growth while advancing sustainability and regenerative farming initiatives across complex agricultural value chains. 

Caine has been widely recognized in the wine industry as one of Wine Enthusiasts Future 40, one of Wine Business Monthly's Sustainability Stewards and the only US board member of the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, where he is leading regenerative viticulture around the globe. 

“To accelerate sustainable and regenerative viticulture further, chemical free winegrowing is the holy grail. The Thorvald UV-C robot is a rare technological breakthrough that is a solution to this problem. This is lowering the barrier to entry into sustainable, organic and regenerative winegrowing by eliminating the need for synthetic chemicals, which is transforming winegrowing” said Caine Thompson.     

“As Saga Robotics enters its next phase of scale in the U.S., Caine Thompson brings exactly the operational discipline and commercial experience we need,” said Sacha de La Noë, CEO of Saga Robotics. “His track record in building teams, executing growth strategies, and working closely with growers makes him exceptionally well suited to lead our U.S. business as demand for sustainable disease control continues to accelerate.”

Founder Pål Johan From will transition from his role as General Manager, U.S., and return to Norway to assume the newly created position of Chief Growth Officer. In this role, Pål will lead strategic partnerships, UV-C technology development, expansion into new crops and markets, and support future fundraising activities. To ensure continuity through the critical 2026 season, Pål will remain actively involved in U.S. operations through June 2026.

As a supplementary close to its 2025 funding round, Saga Robotics also announced Xinomavro as a new investor. Xinomavro is an AgTech investment fund dedicated exclusively to technologies supporting the wine industry, led by wine industry insiders Guillaume De Pracomtal and Gregoire Letort. The investment strengthens Saga Robotics’ capital base while adding deep sector expertise to its investor group.

“Saga Robotics is addressing one of the wine industry’s most pressing challenges with a solution that is both practical and transformative,” said Guillaume De Pracomtal of Xinomavro. “Their ability to scale autonomous UV-C treatment in commercial vineyards positions them as a category leader, and we’re excited to support the team as adoption and additional services continue to grow.”

Saga Robotics looks forward to welcoming Caine Thompson and thanks Pål Johan From for his continued leadership and lasting contributions to the company’s growth and success.

For more on this story, see https://agfundernews.com/saga-robotics-bets-big-on-us-vineyards-with-new-gm-fresh-capital-for-uv-c-bots-chemical-free-winegrowing-is-the-holy-grail

Zinfandel Lovers Celebrate 35 Years of Zin Love with 3 Day, Exclusive Napa Events

From Jan. 29 to 31, the Zinfandel Associates and Producers celebrates its 35th anniversary in style–way uptown–in Napa with a weekend of festivities accompanied by gourmet food.

Starting Thursday night with two intimate, winery hosted dinners, the multiday event is offering special weekend packages that include two nights of lodging at the Archer Hotel, a Saturday morning master class with vintners (including ZAP O.G. Joel Peterson) and a grand tasting Saturday afternoon at CIA's Copia center in Napa with chef prepared bites.

A Different Kind of Grand Tasting

ZAP is taking a unique approach to this tasting, writing on its website, 

"This is an intimate gathering of only 200, featuring a carefully curated selection of winemakers and principals from 40 wineries, ready to pop the corks on their special offerings, including big bottles and rare wines. Set up as one expansive “lounge,” guests are encouraged to relax and savor acclaimed Zinfandels at the winery tables, as well as the ZAP-hosted bar. 

Winemakers are also set loose to roam. It’s like an enhanced Heritage Lounge! Treat yourself to delightful bites crafted by Copia chefs and food artisans, ensuring a memorable afternoon in this charming setting."

Who'e Organic at the Zinex Grand Tasting? 

Eight producers who make Zinfandel from organic vines will be pouring. 

Enjoy finding your favorite from these top tier producers:

• Clif Family (Howell Mountain)
• Ghost Block 
• Grgich Hills Estate
• Once and Future (some wines)
• Ridge Vineyards (estate wines only)
• Storybook Mountain Vineyard
• Tres Sabores
• Turley Vineyards

Grand tasting tickets are available for $230 for members and more for non-members, Grand tasting details here, 

If you can't make it to Napa, ZAP is also planning a grand tasting June 6 in San Francisco at Fort Mason.

Sustainable Foods Summit Jan 28-29 to Feature Regenerative Ag Movement Leader Tim LaSalle, Founder of Chico State's Center for Regenerative Ag and Resilient Systems

With more than 20 wineries now certified regenerative organic and a few more using other regenerative certifications (that do not require organic farming or certification), regenerative viticulture is beginning to entice more and more younger consumers. Its presence in the wine world trails that of its growing popularity in the food world, but is gaining momentum.

The Sustainable Foods Summit in North America will feature a talk on this topic Jan 28 at the City Club of San Francisco at an industry gathering that is expected to attract leaders in transitioning to more biocircular and nature based approaches to food products. 

Central Coast farmer Dr. Timothy LaSalle, co-founder, Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems at Cal State Chico, will speak on Measuring Impacts of Regenerative Agriculture.

The conference brochure description says, "Although the positive impacts of regenerative agriculture are increasingly recognized, measurement remains a challenge. Learn about approaches to measure the impact on soil, farms, supply chains, and ecosystems."

More information is available here.

Bucolic Mendocino Vineyard and Farm Goes Up for Sale | McFadden Farm and Vineyard in Potter Valley Asking $7.9 Million

Beautiful 445 Acre Farm with 149 Acres of CCOF Vineyards at the Headwaters of the Russian River

It breaks my heart to see the video online about the sale of McFadden Farm and Vineyard because McFadden has been one of my shining stars for 15 years. It was part of my introduction to organic viticulture.

Nestled in bucolic Potter Valley, Guinness McFadden and his family made this into one of California’s most incredible wine grape sites, selling Riesling to Chateau Montelena and making some of the best, affordable sparkling wines around. (I used to buy about 7 cases a year when I was in the money). He started as a grower and then became a vintner later on (see Blue Quail), like many former Bonterra growers up there in inland Mendocino, where there is lower disease pressure.

I recently upgraded to the current OS on Mac...Despite numerous calls to Apple tech support and Google Help searches, Google's blogspot platform is apparently no longer able to post photos in my stories. I do not see why not - it all seems kind of senseless and a huge drawback to using Goggle's popular blog software. Therefore like many wine journalists and writers, I am publishing more easily on Substack where I also have a way of categorizing regions. Check it out here.

To see this story (accompanied by the intended photos head) on over to...

https://organicwineuncorked.substack.com/p/bucolic-mendocino-vineyard-and-farm

Who's Organic at the Jan. 31 San Jose Festival of Undiscovered Grapes? 14 Wineries to Try

After a name change from the Festival of Forgotten Grapes and launching last year in LA, this new wine festival is growing and adding an additional, new venue in San Jose. It's also been renamed Festival of Undiscovered Grapes.

The goal? To make Californians drink more adventurously. That should be fun!

Here are the wineries with organically grown grapes (certified estate or purchased grapes) you can taste from at the Jan. 31 San Jose event. (An asterisk indicates an estate winery where all the wines are from certified grapes).

This is a great opportunity to explore some of California's most interesting vintners and learn why you ought to be drinking Albarino, Grenache Blanc, Mourvedre, Vermentino and more–wines the rest of the world loves, too.

Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery*

AmByth Estate

Bokisch Vineyards

Brosseau Wines*

Camins 2 Dreams

Cary Q Wines

Clif Family Winery & Farm*

Martha Stoumen 

Ridge Vineyards

Robert Hall

Stolpman Vineyards

Tablas Creek Vineyard

Terah Wine Co.

Tres Sabores Winery

Vino Tahoe*

AI Wine Bloopers

I've recently tested a few wine related searches on Google search and come up short–WAY SHORT. I went to an event recently where the speaker referred to AI as "his drunken assistant," which I am beginning to parrot.

For instance, here's an example. I searched for the date when Cambie and Coturri met for the first time at a conference in the Rhone. They started a wonderful collaboration after that–A Deux Tetes–under the Coturri family's Winery Sixteen 600 brand in Sonoma. 

It then cites two articles I wrote as evidence. Which are not evidence.

If AI was actually smart it would have found the actual photo of Cambie and Coturri in Sonoma. or they might have found my other blog post about the two of them, showing a photo of them both pal-ing around together and another enjoying a meal. 

http://winecountrygeographic.blogspot.com/2021/12/homage-philippe-cambie-grenache-lover.html#:~:text=Cambie%20was%20also%20an%20advocate%20for%20growing,Phil%20Coturri%20(yes%2C%20they%20were%20two%20Phils

How could they not index the latter in their search?

Just a question.

Leonardo DiCaprio's Chateau Telmont Is First Champagne to be Certified Regenerative Organic

It's at the bronze level of the ROC certification, but Chateau Telmont made history this week, announcing that it is certified regenerative organic, a standard that exceeds regular organic requirements.

Other Champagne producers are organic–in fact there's a whole association of them (see it here)–and many are also biodynamic certified. They are all grower champagnes. 

But Telmont marks the first regenerative organic brand.

It also provides full transparency on sourcing and organic certification on its website.

Rémy Cointreau became majority shareholder of Telmont in 2020.

Leonardo DiCaprio became a minority owner of the fourth generation winery in 2022. While current vintages come from organic grapes (starting in 2017), it will be several years before the ROC grapes are vinified and bottled. More info here.

DiCaprio with Ludovic du Plessis, President of Maison Telmont

In a statement on the brand's website, DiCaprio says:

"Champagne Telmont, together with its partner wine-growers, has set its sights on producing 100% organic champagne, ensuring a completely sustainable production lifecycle in the coming years. From protecting biodiversity on its land, to using 100% renewable electricity, Champagne Telmont is determined to radically lower its environmental footprint, making me proud to join as an investor."

Star of the hit (and very prescient) movie One Battle After Another, which just won best picture (and won best director for Paul Thomas Anderson as well) at the Golden Globes this week, people have joking that Telmont is "one bottle after another."

Biodynamic Winderlea Vineyard Sold to former Adelsheim CEO Joth Ricci and Family, Will Maintain Demeter Certified Biodynamic Vineyard Certification

Press Release

Jan 9, 2026

MY NOTE: Joth Ricci is the former president and CEO of Adelsheim Vineyard, and president of Stumptown Coffee Roasters.

Joth, Robin and Anna Ricci at Winderlea

DUNDEE, Ore., (Jan. 8, 2026) - Joth Ricci and his family have purchased Winderlea Vineyard and Winery, marking a thoughtful next chapter for the landmark Dundee Hills estate. The family-to-family transition reflects a shared commitment to multigenerational stewardship for the winery, as well as a belief in the enduring importance of Oregon wine to the region’s cultural fabric.

Situated on historic Worden Hill Road in the Dundee Hills, Winderlea occupies one of the most meaningful stretches of land in the Willamette Valley, central to the region’s early vineyard development and enduring winegrowing legacy. Founded 20 years ago by Bill Sweat and Donna Morris, the winery has earned a reputation for low-intervention farming, elegant and nuanced wines, and a welcoming guest experience grounded in genuine connection. That combination of place, history and approach played a significant role in the Ricci family’s decision to purchase Winderlea, and their involvement builds on those foundations, preserving the character of the winery’s winemaking and hospitality while allowing it to grow alongside Oregon’s expanding food and wine landscape.

“From our very first conversations, it was clear that Joth and his family truly understood the intention and people that define Winderlea,” said Sweat. “Donna and I approached this decision with care, and we feel confident about what comes next. We believe Winderlea is well positioned to move forward with clarity and integrity.”

A Thoughtful Path Forward

Ricci’s ties to Oregon wine deepened during his time as President and CEO of Adelsheim Vineyard, a winery with longstanding ties to Winderlea through pioneering winemaker David Adelsheim. Adelsheim helped lay out the original estate vineyard planted in 1974, well before Winderlea was founded as a winery. Those overlapping histories reflect the shared values that define the Willamette Valley and have played a meaningful role in the Ricci family’s decision to purchase Winderlea.

“Oregon shaped who I am, and this was a very personal decision for our family,” said Ricci. “Worden Hill means a great deal to the Willamette Valley, and Bill and Donna have created something remarkable here that is expressed in the wines and woven into the way people connect with Winderlea. We’re excited to build on what they’ve created and steward the winery with care in the years ahead.”

A Career Grounded in Oregon Innovation

Over the course of his career, Ricci has guided Oregon businesses through significant periods of growth, transition and evolution. A third-generation Oregonian raised in Corvallis, he’s been a driving force in the state’s business community for decades and has held top leadership roles across some of the region’s most recognized food and beverage brands, including as general manager at Columbia Distributing and president of Stumptown Coffee Roasters, where he launched Cold Brew and led the brand to its existing partnership with Peet’s Coffee. He later guided Dutch Bros Coffee as CEO through its 2021 IPO, the largest in Oregon history. Ricci currently serves as executive chairman of Burgerville.

In recent years, Ricci has focused his time on civic leadership and philanthropy, supporting education, athletics and economic development across Oregon through board service and community initiatives. A graduate of Oregon State University, he’s remained closely connected to his alma mater, driven by a passion for developing people, strengthening teams and investing in the next generation of Oregon leaders. The purchase of Winderlea is a natural extension of Ricci’s work, one guided by the approach he’s applied across Oregon businesses and grounded in a long-term commitment from his family.

Oregon’s Strength as a Wine and Culinary Region

The Ricci family’s vision for Winderlea is informed by their belief in Oregon as one of the world’s great gastronomic regions. Ricci is a driving force behind Food Forward, an initiative created together with longtime Oregon champion Mike Thelin to unify food, beverage, culinary voices with agriculture and hospitality communities across the state. Their aim is to support a cohesive narrative that can draw global attention and attract nationally recognized events, visitors and investment. This perspective reinforces the Ricci family’s conviction in the role wineries like Winderlea play in Oregon’s economic vitality and cultural identity.

A Growing, Experienced Team

At Winderlea, day-to-day operations will continue with no immediate changes planned. The existing team will maintain its focus on the winery and hospitality spaces, carrying forward the approach that has long defined Winderlea. Leading the business will be Lindsey Morse as Vice President of Strategy and Winery Operations, whose background includes leadership roles at Ponzi Vineyards and Stoller Family Estate, as well as Adelsheim, where she first collaborated with Ricci. The family is also supported by a close circle of trusted advisors and industry veterans, including Kim Bellingar, founder of Century Vineyards and former COO of Adelsheim, who will provide strategic support across business operations and organizational development.

Ricci’s daughter Anna, both a fourth-generation Oregonian and OSU graduate, is actively involved at the winery, taking a hands-on position supporting day-to-day operations and work across the estate. Her involvement reflects the family’s connection to Oregon wine, agriculture and hospitality, and brings a presence anchored in curiosity and respect for Winderlea’s history and character.

A Future Built on Collaboration

The transaction was advised by Metis, whose counsel helped ensure a process centered on shared values and ongoing alignment. Terms of the agreement are confidential.

About Winderlea Vineyard and Winery

Nestled in Oregon’s Dundee Hills on historic Worden Hill Road, Winderlea Vineyard and Winery is known for Pinot noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wines that reflect the character of the Willamette Valley. Since its founding, Winderlea has focused on responsible farming, thoughtful winemaking and a guest experience rooted in the vineyard and its wines. A Certified B Corp and Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyard, the winery upholds its commitment to sustainability across both agricultural and business practices. Guests are welcomed to the estate to spend time among the vines and connect with the team behind the wines. Visit winderlea.com to learn more.

A Bright Spot in France: Latest Data Shows Continued Sales Growth in Organic Wine, Younger Consumers are the Biggest Buyers

 

A major new study (full report here) released by Sud Vin Bio shows that organically grown wine continues to grow sales in France, increasing 7 percent in 2024 (when overall wine sales declined). 

Growth was powered mainly by younger buyers–the under 35 set represents 31% of organic wine consumers. And 35% drink organic wine on a regular basis.

Growers and producers also continue to rise in numbers – 53 new producers were added in the past year in France, after growing nearly 400 percent from 3,729 producers in 2010 to 12,075 in 2024. 

Who is buying organic wine? In this survey it shows growth tilted in favor of younger drinkers. 

This report is one of the first to break the organic wine drinking consumer into meaningful segments as not all consumers of organically grown wine are the same.

For the full presentation, in addition to the report link (provided above), also see the slides here.

There is a wealth of great content and data in the full report. 

The Millesieme Bio Organic Wine Conference takes place Jan. 26-28 in Montpelier. 

 

Organic + Sparkling = A Perfect Match

Are you planning on celebrating the holidays with some sparkling wines?

Consider making yours the greener ones...

Your choices could easily include organically grown bubbly! All below are traditional method (i.e. fermented on yeast, lees).

Traditional Grapes (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay)

--Organic 

Chalone / Monterey County

• Under the Wire Brosseau Vineyard  (and Flatiron SF) ($54)

Mendocino | Anderson Valley

• Handley Cellars 2019 Blanc de Blanc ($60)

• Long Meadow Ranch 2019 Blanc de Noirs ($85) and 2020 Brut Rosé ($125)

• Neal Family Vineyards sparkling wine 2021 One & Only Blanc de Blanc ($50)

Mendocino / Potter Valley

A TOP PICK • McFadden Vineyards Brut Rosé ($35) and Brut ($35) ***** My personal fave for price and quality 

Napa

• Matthiasson's first Sparkling Wine (Linda Vista Chardonnay) ($85)

• Burgess Cellars offers a 2020 Blanc de Blanc from its Napa vines ($125)

Sonoma

• Canihan Wines Brut Nature 2019 ($48)

• Gloria Ferrer Sencilla 2021 (100 cases; $85) In Spanish, Sencilla means “simple." As a zero dosage 100 percent Chardonnay sparkling wine, it showcases the power and finesse of organically farmed Chardonnay without any added sugar. (Ferrer has now converted 338 acres of their vineyards to organics! But it will be a few years before those wines become available.)

--Biodynamic

Oregon | Willamette Valley

• King Estate's 2019 Brut Cuvee ($40)

• Soter Vineyards 2021 Mineral Springs Brut Rosé ($80) and a full spectrum of sparkling wines

Oregon / Gorge

• Analemma 2018 Atavus Blanc de Noirs Sparkling ($76)

Other Sparkling Wines (Non Traditional Grapes)

California

• Amista Vineyards (Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County) 4+ wines: Chardonnay, Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah ($50+) 

• Bokisch Vineyards (Lodi) Cava Inspired 2023 Lo Xalet Sparkling Wine ($60) (Spanish Indigenous Variety Grapes) and a 2024 Sparkling Albarino and a 2023 Sparkling Rosé 

• Neal Family Vineyards (Napa) Spokes Sparkling Wine ($40) (Vermentino)

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BONUS SECTION | Charmat Method Wines

• Cricket Farms Brut Sparkling Wine (Lake County) 3 wine: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Viognier 

• Robert Hall (Paso Robles) Cavern Select 2022 Grenache Blanc ($45)

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ANOTHER BONUS SECTION | Imported Organic Sparklings

• Avaline Sparkling (Raventos) $35 (not available at Target; only the Prosecco is at Target which is not traditional method) Order Online

Argentina

• Domaine Bousquet 

Spain

• Any Cava Guarda Superior from 2025 onward

• Raventos Blanc

• Vins el Cep (via Wine.com)

https://www.vilarnau.es/en/els-nostres-vilarnau/vilarnau-cavas/vilarnau-brut-reserva-rose-delicat-organic

TOP PICK • Vilarnau Brut Reserva Rose $18 at Total Wine 

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ACTUAL CHAMPAGNE PRODUCERS

I love the grower champagnes who are organic or biodynamic. 

There is an association of all the organic and biodynamic grower champagne producers – find a list of them here. Or check out their instagram https://www.instagram.com/champagnesbiologiques/?hl=en

I am currently partial to Champagne de Sousa (biodynamic) which is available in the USA - $46-67 (3 wines) at Bottle Barn and at other retailers, and of course Champagne Fleury (also biodynamic). It is not easy to be organic in wet, damp Champagne but there are skilled producers who accomplish this task. Some say it's easier when you are biodynamic. Fleury also has a cool wine bar in Paris.

To keep up with organic and biodynamic developments in Champagne, have a look at Caroline Henry's awesome substack newsletter (and book).

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LAST YEAR'S SPARKLING ROUNDUP Blog Post 

Scary Scientific Findings: Toxicologists' Latest Published Research Reveals Pesticides' Yucky Effects On Human Gut Microbiome

Is it the original sin? Our early evaluations of the herbicide Roundup (a formulation) and glyphosate simply did not "see" the bacteria in our gut as part of our anatomy, and that is why scientists hypothesized (wrongly and bigly) that Roundup was safe for humans, because we did not have that the shikimate pathway, which, AI tells us, 

"is a vital seven-enzyme metabolic route in plants, fungi, and bacteria, responsible for producing essential aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan) and many other crucial aromatic compounds like folates, ubiquinone, and lignins, starting from erythrose-4-phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate. Animals lack this pathway, making it a target for herbicides like glyphosate (which inhibits an enzyme in the pathway) and potential broad-spectrum antibiotics."

While we had discovered that our innate biological physical material does not have the pathway, our gut bacteria does...hence...cancers develop, etc. (We are not so cleverly partitioned in our beings as in our minds.) 

So here we are, and building on this knowledge an A List gang of scientists at Cambridge have allied with the latest AI tool (LLM) to discover, lo and behold, that nature does not compartmentalize things are we have previously thought. 

• Press release about their research (easy to read)

• Journal article of the research (well written, scientific research article)

"A large-scale laboratory screening of human-made chemicals has identified 168 chemicals that are toxic to bacteria found in the healthy human gut. These chemicals stifle the growth of gut bacteria thought to be vital for health.

Most of these chemicals, likely to enter our bodies through food, water, and environmental exposure, were not previously thought to have any effect on bacteria.

Lead scientist Roux said, "We’ve found that many chemicals designed to act only on one type of target, say insects or fungi, also affect gut bacteria." 

The new research tested the effect of 1,076 chemical contaminants on 22 species of gut bacteria in the lab. 

Chemicals that have a toxic effect on gut bacteria include pesticides like herbicides and insecticides that are sprayed onto food crops, and industrial chemicals used in flame retardants and plastics. 

The human gut microbiome is composed of around 4,500 different types of bacteria, all working to keep our body running smoothly. When the microbiome is knocked out of balance there can be wide-ranging effects on our health including digestive problems, obesity, and effects on our immune system and mental health."

The study found that "out of 1,076 compounds in total, 829 were pesticides, 119 were pesticide metabolites, 48 were industrial chemicals, 5 were mycotoxins and 76 were other, pesticide-related compounds."

Another convincing reason to eat (and drink) only organically farmed food and drink.

Two Notable Napa Farm to Table Producers Make Hudin's 2025 Top 100 Wines List

 

Two of my favorite wines from Napa valley wineries who farm organically and have been pioneers in both quality and farming are the only California wineries to make Miguel Hudin's Top 100 wines list for 2025.

They are the Frog's Leap 2019 Williams Rossi Cab ($125), an historic site that the Williams family has nurtured back to vibrant life, and the Tres Sabores Zinfandel ($58) from vines planted in 1972. (Anyone else besides vintner Julie Johnson would have removed the Zin and planted Cab, but thankfully she has kept these beauties in the ground).

Bravo. 

If you have not visited these wineries yet you owe it to yourself to do so. That would be a perfect holiday outing if you are entertaining friends or just need a mini-adventure yourself. 

Both wines have been perennial favorites in Slow Wine USA.

Christmas Crafting Anyone? Cork Ornament Making at Cooper Garrod in South Bay This Weekend

 

A message and an invite from Cooper Garrod. Christmas crafting comes to a winery we love.

"We have been saving up our corks all year for this! 

Saturday and Sunday, we will be hosting a CORK ORNAMENT MAKING TABLE here at Cooper-Garrod.  For $5, you can step up and try your hand at making a cork reindeer, or whatever other holiday design you might like to try!  We will provide all of the supplies. What a FUN WAY to enjoy a glass of wine around the holidays!  

No advance reservation needed for making a cork ornament - but we DO recommend making a reservation for your wine tasting."

Reserve here. 

The winery also offers horseback riding and is a great historical attraction as well. The family has preserved its heritage as an apricot facility and a symbol of the South Bay's aviation history.

Ed King is Oregon’s first American Wine Legend winner

I'm happy to share this news with you, honoring both King Estate and Ed King and Organic and Biodynamic Farming and Certification

PRESS RELEASE

Ed King is Oregon’s first American Wine Legend winner

Wine Enthusiast Magazine has named Ed King the 2025 American Wine Legend. King, co-founder and co-CEO of King Estate Winery in Eugene, Ore., will receive the award in New York City on Jan. 26, 2026, at the 26th annual Wine Star Awards gala.

“I’m honored to be recognized as an American Wine Legend by Wine Enthusiast Magazine,” King said. “When we bottled our first vintage in 1992, Oregon wine was still finding its place on the world stage. But we believed in its potential. It took vision, hard work and a shared commitment from the many hands who helped build King Estate. More than 30 years later, seeing how far Oregon wine has come and knowing we played a part is deeply rewarding.”

Oregon is the fourth largest wine producing state in the country, comprising about 2% of the national wine market. Ed King is the first Oregon winemaker to win the American Wine Legend award.

 About Ed King: With a work ethic honed in his native Kansas, Ed King came west and found his future in a 600-acre plot of land used to grow hay for cattle. In 1991, the nascent Oregon wine industry was still emerging as an economic and cultural force. King Estate planted its flag in Eugene, expanded to 1,033 acres, and made a name for itself as an early champion of Pinot Gris in a Pinot Noir state, opening up national markets to the varietal and to Oregon wine more broadly. In another ahead-of-its-time achievement, King Estate was certified as organic in 2002 and Biodynamic® in 2016, living out its commitment to stewardship, one of its core founding principles.

Karma for Monsanto's Fake Science Is Slow: The retraction was “a long time coming”: 25 Years

Thanks to The New Lede for this story and to the hundreds of others who ran it. The story is even in Le Monde in Paris.

Citing “serious ethical concerns,” journal retracts key Monsanto Roundup safety study

The journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology has formally retracted a sweeping scientific paper published in the year 2000 that became a key defense for Monsanto’s claim that Roundup herbicide and its active ingredient glyphosate don’t cause cancer.

Journal Editor-in-Chief Prof. Martin van den Berg, Ph.D.,  said in a note accompanying the retraction that he had taken the step because of “serious ethical concerns regarding the independence and accountability of the authors of this article and the academic integrity of the carcinogenicity studies presented.”

The paper, titled “Safety Evaluation and Risk Assessment of the Herbicide Roundup and Its Active Ingredient, Glyphosate, for Humans,” concluded that Monsanto’s glyphosate-based weed killers posed no health risks to humans – no cancer risks, no reproductive risks, no adverse effects on development of endocrine systems in people or animals. Regulators around the world have cited the paper as evidence of the safety of glyphosate herbicides, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in this assessment.  

The listed authors of the paper were three scientists who did not work for Monsanto – Gary Williams, Robert Kroes and Ian Munro – and the paper was touted by the company as a defense against conflicting scientific evidence linking Roundup to cancer. The fact that it was authored by scientists from outside the company, from seemingly independent researchers, gave it added validity.

But over the last decade, internal company documents that came to light in litigation brought by cancer victims have revealed that the paper actually was a product of three years of what one company official referred to as “hard work” by several Monsanto scientists who helped craft the paper as part of a strategy Monsanto called “Freedom to Operate” (FTO).

The corporate files show that company officials celebrated their work when the paper was published. In one such email following the April 2000 publication of the Williams paper, Monsanto government affairs official Lisa Drake described the toll the work developing “independent” research papers took on multiple Monsanto’s scientists.

“The publication by independent experts of the most exhaustive and detailed scientific assessment ever written on glyphosate … was due to the perseverance, hard work and dedication of the following group of folks,” Drake wrote. She then listed seven Monsanto employees. The group was applauded for “their hard work over three years of data collection, writing, review and relationship building with the papers’ authors.”

Drake further emphasized why the Williams paper was so significant for Monsanto’s business plans: “This human health publication on Roundup herbicide and its companion publication on ecotox and environmental fate will be undoubtedly be regarded as “the” reference on Roundup and glyphosate safety,” she wrote in the email dated May 25, 2000. “Our plan is now to utilize it both in the defense of Roundup and Roundup Ready crops worldwide and in our ability to competitively differentiate ourselves from generics.”

In a separate email, a company executive asked if Roundup logo polo shirts could be given to eight people who worked on the research papers as a “token of appreciation for a job well done.”

Monsanto’s Hugh Grant, who at that time was a senior executive on his way toward being named CEO and chairman, added his own praise, writing in an email “This is very good work, well done to the team, please keep me in the loop as you build the PR info to go with it.”

In 2015, Monsanto scientist William Heydens suggested that he and colleagues “ghost-write” another scientific paper. Monsanto could pay outside scientists to “edit & sign their names” to the work that he and others would do, Heydens wrote in an email. “Recall that is how we handled Williams Kroes and Munro 2000.”

The emails were spotlighted in jury trials in which cancer victims won billions of dollars in damages from Monsanto, which was bought by Bayer AG in 2018.

In explaining the decision to retract, van den Berg wrote:

“Concerns were raised regarding the authorship of this paper, validity of the research findings in the context of misrepresentation of the contributions by the authors and the study sponsor and potential conflicts of interest of the authors.” He noted that the paper’s conclusions regarding the carcinogenicity of glyphosate were solely based on unpublished studies from Monsanto, ignoring other outside, published research.

Van den Berg did not respond to a request for comment.

When asked about the retraction, Bayer said in a statement that Monsanto’s involvement was adequately noted in the acknowledgements section of the paper in question, including a statement that referred to “key personnel at Monsanto who provided scientific support.” The company said the vast majority of thousands of published studies on glyphosate had no Monsanto involvement. 

“The consensus among regulatory bodies worldwide that have conducted their own independent assessments based on the weight of evidence is that glyphosate can be used safely as directed and is not carcinogenic,” the company said.

An EPA spokesman said that the agency is aware of the retraction but “has never relied on this specific article in developing any of its regulatory conclusions on glyphosate.” The spokesman said the EPA has “extensively studied glyphosate, reviewing more than 6,000 studies across all disciplines, including human and environmental health, in developing its regulatory conclusions.” The updated human health risk assessment the agency is currently conducting for glyphosate is “using gold standard science,” the spokesman said. That assessment should be released for public comment in 2026 and will not be relying on the retracted article.

Brent Wisner, one of the lead lawyers in the Roundup litigation and a key player in getting the internal documents revealed to the public, said the retraction was “a long time coming.”

Wisner said the Williams, Kroes and Munro study was the “quintessential example of how companies like Monsanto could fundamentally undermine the peer-review process through ghostwriting, cherry-picking unpublished studies, and biased interpretations.”

“Faced with undisputed evidence concerning how this study was manufactured and then used, for over two decades, to protect glyphosate sales, the Editor-in-Chief … did the right thing,” Wisner said. “While the damage done to the scientific discourse—and the people who were harmed by glyphosate—cannot be undone, it helps rejuvenate some confidence in the otherwise broken peer-review process that corporations have taken advantage of for decades. This garbage ghostwritten study finally got the fate it deserved. Hopefully, journals will now be more vigilant in protecting the impartiality of science on which so many people depend.”

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MY NOTE: 2017 coverage of the New York Medical College defending Gary Williams (the only one of the three scientists who signed the paper) is unsettling and deserves a followup.

Don't Just Ring in the New Year with Any Old Bubbles: Ring in the New Year with Biodynamic Cava Bubbly - FREE SHIPPING, TOO

I recently traveled to Spain on a sponsored trip to attend the incredible educational 2025 Cava Meeting, a momentous event in which the Cava D.O. announced the 2025 vintage of Cava Superior wines is required to be organic. 

It is a landmark achievement, but caution is advised–these are the elite Cava wines that are rarely imported in the USA, not the mass market Cavas from Friexenet and Codorniu that you find on supermarket shelves and in big box wine stores. 

With a small group of American wine writers, I traveled to visit 12 producers after the meeting and was impressed by their wines. In terms of quality and price, these were amazing. 

On the first night dinner, I was fortunate enough to sit next to the biodynamic pioneer in the region, Vins el Cep, which I have since discovered, makes a beautiful, biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified grapes) Cava you can buy now on wine.com with FREE SHIPPING (now through Dec. 9).  

Get the free shipping with this code: ELF.

This 2019 Clos Gelida Gran Reserva (aged a minimum of 30 months in bottle) is all estate grown, estate vinified and aged and is $22.

NOTE

I have wonderful photos to share here on this wine and visit but Google's blog software is fussy about which account I am logged in on and won't let me post photos here. Instead, visited my substack to see the photos here. 

In the meantime, here's a link to the Instagram photo with Maive Esteve, general manager at Vins el Cep. LINK

Saying Goodbye to Roundup Herbicide: Napa's Progress

I never thought I would see the day when the SF Chronicle's wine department would take up the topic of Roundup herbicide again. 

But that day came today! 

Have a look (gift link).

And kudos to Napa Green for its work on this effort. 

Unmentioned in this article is the Napa Valley Grapegrowers own work on this topic. See the story of growers spontaneously cutting back due to public inquiries in the wake of the three Bay Area court cases awarding a school landscaper and home users millions in awards for Roundup's role in contracting Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) which attacks the lymphatic system. 

Unfortunately, Napa and other growers throughout the wine growing world continue to use this soil killing herbicide widely.

That's why you should buy organically grown food and wine.

In wine, the risks of residues in the wine on humans' microbiome is not well understood but there are many significant studies on its soil killing properties. Wine testing studies showed that organically grown wines had far fewer residues than conventional or sustainable wines.  

(Most people absorb glyphosate in the body from eating non-organic grains, non-organic grain products [bread, cookies, cereals, etc.] and non-organic potatoes.)

For the latest exciting new science looking at glyphosate (the active ingredient in the commercially available Roundup these days–Bayer stopped selling home owners the glyphosate version after the spate of lawsuits halved its stock price due to the court case payouts) and human health, see the international collaboration of leading scientists at the Global Glyphosate Study. 

The latest discovery in the science community? Glyphosate (both alone and in commercial formulas) causes more kinds of cancer than were previously known-and at lower doses than previously thought. The researchers have shared their findings with regulators in the hopes of impacting policies.

It should be noted that none of the lawsuits involved in vineyard workers (so far). Most were of landscapers and residential users who used the herbicide frequently.

Vineyard workers are often exposed to far more dangerous vineyard chemicals with higher toxicity, but few studies have looked at this. One study showed that Parkinson's is related to one of those chemicals (paraquat), but its use has now been curtailed in the state of California. 

According to the National Institute of Health (pre-Trump) "Parkinson's disease is the world's fastest growing brain disorder, and exposure to environmental toxicants is the principal reason." Paraquat is one. 

If you want to support human health and soil health, vote with your dollars.

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A reminder: Slow Wine USA's guide to wine lists only wines farmed without herbicide. Get your guide here (amazon) or here (bookshop.org).

Gift idea: pair the book with a bottle of wine from one of the producers in the guide!

Hint: there are hundreds of wines, both in Napa and the rest of the US, grown without herbicides. 

And a final note: ALL the ORGANIC grower are always glyphosate free.

Gratitude Day

I am grateful to all the growers who care enough to farm organically. We salute you and thank you for all that you do.

What you do matters!

A Love of Old Vine Zin: Wine Icons Jancis Robinson, Wine Writer, and Paul Draper, of Ridge Vineyards, at the Old Vine Conference in Napa

So much was said at the beautiful opening session of the Old Vine Conference held Oct. 31 in Napa. Enjoy it for yourself here.

Or click on the transcript on YouTube for text version.

(I've also written about it for a forthcoming issue of a wine publication and will post that story link when it is released. Sign up at pamstrayer.substack.com [FREE] to be notified when it launches.)

(That newsletter is for only the articles I write for various publications [i.e. not my blog, or organic news which are released on my other substacks.])

Ridge has converted every old vine vineyard it owns to organic certification, thanks to the amazing efforts of its vineyard director David Gates, who was also a founder of the Historic Vineyard Society in California. (It does not own Pagani Ranch which is not organic in practice or certification). 

I have been going on the Historic Vineyard Society's annual trips (region based) for years and recommend supporting them. 

The Jancis-Paul conversation is, no pun intended, one for the ages. Enjoy. And tune in to forthcoming videos from the Old Vine Conference that will soon be posted on their YouTube channel.

You can view long form videos from panels now posted (from the conference livestreams). Shorter, segment videos will be posted soon.

Many of the participants including Turley, Ridge, Sandlands, Bedrock and others have certified organic vineyards and top quality wines perfect for your holiday table.

Ram's Gate Winery Now Regenerative Organic Certified

Congrats to Ram's Gate on this worthy achievement

Press Release

SONOMA, Calif., (Oct.20, 2025) — Jeff O’Neill, Proprietor of Ram’s Gate Winery in Sonoma’s Carneros AVA, announces today that the winery’s 28 acres of estate vineyards have earned Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) distinction, one of only 25 wineries in the world to achieve this rigorous certification. This milestone builds on the momentum of Ram’s Gate’s California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) certification in 2024 and underscores the company’s deep-rooted commitment to environmentally responsible practices, further demonstrated by O’Neill Vintners & Distillers’ Green Medal Leader Award in 2021 and Certified B Corporation status in 2022.

“Ram’s Gate Winery’s Regenerative Organic Certification is an incredible achievement and testament to the passion and dedication of our entire team,” says O’Neill. “This recognition reflects our deep belief that exceptional wine begins with healthy soil, balanced ecosystems, and a collective commitment to land stewardship.”

The ROC™ program, overseen by the nonprofit Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), sets one of the highest standards in agriculture today. Building on the foundation of USDA organic certification, the principles of ROC™ prioritize soil health by fostering organic matter, increasing diversity, sequestering carbon, integrating animals, and providing social fairness for farm workers. This holistic approach ensures that agriculture benefits both the environment and people, promoting more sustainable ecosystems and communities.

At Ram’s Gate, regenerative organic farming is designed not just to preserve the land, but to restore and enhance it with every vintage. The winery’s approach prioritizes building healthier soils and more climate resilient vineyards, leading to fruit that transparently expresses site, soil, and season. In tandem with the winery’s ROC™ recognition, O’Neill Head of Sustainability Caine Thompson and Winemaker Joe Nielsen launched an ambitious agroforestry initiative in March 2025; an approach practiced by a small set of wineries across France, including Château Cheval Blanc in Bordeaux and Champagne Ruinart. As a part of this initiative, the team planted 40 fruit trees per acre directly within the vineyard rows, which will continue to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and create a resilient ecosystem built to thrive amid the challenges of a changing climate. 

Over the last several years, Ram’s Gate has also eliminated all synthetic inputs and introduced cover crops to improve soil structure and biodiversity. Natural pest control is maintained through falconry and owl boxes, while an annual sheep grazing program assists with weed management and nutrient cycling. Together, these practices reinforce Ram’s Gate’s commitment to environmental stewardship and cultivating a thriving, resilient vineyard ecosystem. Ram’s Gate’s 28-acre estate vineyard has been Certified Sustainable since 2015 and additionally holds the Certified Fish Friendly Farming® designation.

“From the beginning, our philosophy at Ram’s Gate has been rooted in the idea that the best wines come from vineyards in balance with nature,” says O’Neill. “Regenerative farming allows us to go beyond organic practices—to not only protect the land but actively improve it for generations to come.”

Gotta Laugh | New Michelin Wine's Organic Explainer Shows Heavily Herbicided Sonoma Wine from Pagani Ranch

Here is Vanessa Conlin, Master of Wine, in a Wine Access video for consumers to buy wines featured at the prestigious Per Se restaurant in New York. (Per Se's wine list used to include Ridge's Pagani Zin.) It's a vineyard that is heavily farmed with synthetic herbicide and has been for years. 

I just can't help myself sometimes. I have to laugh. But it's not funny.

Michelin Guide announced today that it's now going to cover wine. It could be great news.

BUT...Its first organic explainer includes a bottle shot of one of Sonoma's oldest synthetic herbicide users, Pagani Ranch, allegedly picked by elite wine directors at WineAceess. That's not funny.

-------------------------------------------

Wine Access is a company that sells wine–i.e. a merchant, not an organic expert. It's recently been bought by a startup–Full Glass Wine–in 2024. Full Glass appears to be on a bit of a shopping spree. 

(As a former startup C-suite executive in several multimillion dollar companies fueled by big dotcom cash, I remember the days. "Get Big Fast," they said. We can see where that landed.) 

Wine Access is banking on its star somm line up and buying power to seize the day. To be fair, these wine experts from prestigious restaurants are not paid to assess how green the farming is in the wines they select and sell. (That's sad but...) 

They are taste experts and they work for the most elite institutions–where selling expensive wine is a big economic factor in the restaurant's business success. (Wine accounts for a bigger percentage of high end restaurant profits than food in many establishments). 

Although it's not said so, I am beginning to wonder if Full Glass or Wine Access is greasing the slides and is forging a paid partnership with Wine Access and Michelin's new wine division. (Obviously companies like JancisRobinson.com and the Wine Advocate have been under pressure for years to do deals like this but have so far seemed to have maintained editorial integrity.)

(In my years in startup land, we used to pay for amazingly high priced partnerships because it made business sense when you're trying to get market share and brand recognition. But I digress from the topic–which is organic and truthful, accurate content.)

Wine Access previously signed, in 2023, a deal with Sunset magazine to run a Sunset magazine wine club. Its press release then said, "In 2021, Wine Access was named the official wine provider of the MICHELIN Guide." So this relationship has a history. 

In addition to its coveted quality stars, Michelin also said it would give new green stars to wine producers. 

Here's an excerpt from Michelin Guide's organic explainer, from Wine Access provided content.

REALITY: ORGANIC GRAPES - OFTEN "WINE BY WINE" NOT BY WINE BRAND

Are these new "green wine" star givers going to understand that most small (and not so small) wineries in the USA are not all estate, and that many organic estate producers ALSO buy grapes from other producers who do not farm under the same green practices that the estate does? 

I call them hybrid producers and their numbers are huge. 

Many, many, many estate wineries also buy grapes from others. They may make any kind of wine they want to from them. Many make single vineyard designates–95% of the grapes in such a wine must be from the named vineyard. That's what this Ridge's Pagani wine is. 

PAGANI NEVER CLAIMED TO BE ORGANIC. IT USES A LOT OF HERBICIDE. THAT IS LEGAL. CALLING IT ORGANIC IS NOT.

Here is an excerpt from Pagani's pesticide use report, which is its official report to the state of California on its 2025 sprays in Sonoma County vines. 

As you can see, Pagani sprayed Lifeline herbicide on all of its 77 acres. Organic regulations prohibit the use of synthetic herbicide, which is what Lifeline (glufonisate ammonium) is. Many experts say it is worse than Roundup (glyphosate plus other ingredients which scientists say are more toxic than glyphosate alone). Until recently it used plenty of Roundup Powermax Herbicide, a commercial, extra strength version of the product only professionals can purchase. (Geeky? View three years of PUR data from Pagani here, showing earlier herbicide use.)

Another spray listed here, Alion, is a pre-emergent herbicide, which many experts say is worse than Roundup or Lifeline.

RIDGE DOES NOT SAY PAGANI IS ORGANIC

It is true that Ridge Vineyards has made all of its estates organic and certified them, but that is only its own estate wines. 

Here is its description of the Pagani wine. It does not say it's an estate wine or farmed organically.

I first watched this unfold when Robert Parker's Wine Advocate called out Ridge as a Green Star. Its own estate is and is to be commended for this. I worship the ground Ridge's vineyard manager David Gates walks on and call him (as a journalist) from time to time for expert opinions. 

But Pagani is not organic. Who says so? 

WHO SAYS PAGANI FROM RIDGE IS ORGANIC?

Apparently, it's Wine Access.com "experts" (which has a content relationship with Michelin) or Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (owned by Michelin) who have not done their homework.

Too many wine experts with incredible sensory skills are credentialed by organizations that do not take the chemicals used in wine grape farming seriously enough to teach them. (And yet we know they can affect and improve flavor. One study by wine economists looked at 128,000 French wines scores from more than 30 French wine experts from 1995 to 2015 and found that overall, organically certified vines accounted for an average 6 point bump in scores and biodynamic farming an average 12 point bump.) 

Is it possible this misunderstanding about Ridge's Pagani came from Robert Parker muddying the waters with its green stars program? That program gave a green star by brand (not wine by wine) to Ridge. 

It you ask me, the MWs and MSs and WSET diploma experts should all be required to take at least one semester of training that covers both conventional and organic vineyard management. Then they might not make these kinds of rookie mistakes. 

Slow Wine USA at the Inaugural Terra Madre of the Americas: A Talk, A Meet the Maker Area, An Enoteca and An Agroforestry Talk (Plus U.C. Davis Panel)

Caine Thompson, head of sustainability for O'Neill Vintners and Distillers giving a presentation on agroforestry
in France and U.S. He has led tree planting in vineyards at Ram's Gate in Sonoma and Robert Hall in Paso
Robles to increase biodiversity. 

It was a first. 

A first for Slow Wine USA. A first for Slow Wine USA wineries. A first for Terra Madre of the Americas.

Visit Sacramento brokered a deal with Slow Food International to bring an Americas only version of the grand, global food fair in Italy, Terra Madre, to California. The international organization has begun to feature regional versions of the event in Japan, Belgium, the Nordic countries and elsewhere. 

ATTENDANCE: 140,000+

Estimates from Visit Sacramento and the "Farm to Fork Capital of America" Facebook page say 140,000 to 165,000 attended over three days.



 (The event piggybacked on Sacramento's annual Farm to Fork event which typically draws 100,000 over two days.) 

MORE THAN 50 U.S.WINERIES POURED

Despite the fact that the event took place during harvest, more than 50 U.S. wineries participated.

Here are a few scenes from the three day event:

• A panel with North American and South American winemakers including Steve Matthiasson (from Napa) and Paul Bush from Madrona Vineyard in Casino (in the Sierra Foothills). 

• A Sip and Savor event providing an overview of Slow Wine USA, led by national editor Deborah Parker Wong, managing editor Pam Strayer (me) and former Sacramento Bee wine journalist), wine judge and author Mike Dunne, now a Slow Wine USA field contributor for the Sierra Foothills.

• A talk on agroforestry in vineyards with Caine Thompson, head of sustainability for O'Neill Vintners and Distillers which has planted fruit trees in its vineyards at Ram's Gate in Sonoma's Carneros and at Robert Hall in Paso Robles

SLOW WINE USA EVENT PHOTOS

Enjoy these photos below.

SATURDAY WINEMAKER PANEL

 (Left and center left-unnamed South American winemakers). Center right, Steve Matthiasson (from Napa) and right, Paul Bush from Madrona Vineyard in Casino (in the Sierra Foothills).

EVENT POSTER

Event poster showing featured headliner speakers

SUNDAY PANEL ON SLOW WINE USA GUIDE

Author Mike Dunne speaks with a Slow Wine USA fan

Wine educator Deborah Parker Wong with wines tasted
for Slow Wine USA Guide Overview panel,
a sip and savor event.

MEET THE MAKER WALK AROUND TASTING 

Jambe des Bois winegrower Dan (married to 

JDB winemaker Danielle Langlois) from Sonoma poured for 

a fan at the Meet the Maker area. Consumers paid $50

to meet more than 50 winemakers in hosted tastings.

Andis Wines GM Lorenzo Muslia (a former Florentine
restauranteur) pours for an attendee. And is seeking 
organic certification, a three year process. 

ENOTECA (WINE PURCHASE BY THE GLASS)

                        

Wines by the glass were available for purchase from dozens of Slow Wine 
USA wineries. (Visit Sacramento booked the sponsors.)

U. C. DAVIS TERRA MADRE PARTICIPATION

"The Americas: Wine and Science" panel of scientists from U.C. Davis Vit and Enology faculty
and a South American vintner discussed the state of climate impacts on winegrowing and research on mitigations.
At right, newly appointed department chair Ben Monpetit.
  (He has been in the dept. since 2016 and was promoted to
department chair in 2025). 

The next Terra Madre USA, sponsored by Visit Sacramento, is scheduled to take place in Sacramento in 2027. 

130+ ORGANIC ESTATE WINERIES IN SLOW WINE USA 

NOTE: Terra Madre and Slow Wine USA do not require organic certification or a ban on synthetics in farming–a fact I am mentioning to eliminate any reader confusion because this blog only features wines from certified organic vines. 

What the guide does do: it does not review individual wines farmed with synthetic herbicides. 

Yet, Slow Wine USA is the only eco friendly wine guide in the USA and is the most transparent about the winegrowing and winemaking processes for each wine reviewed. Writers include 16 field contributors located in wine growing regions who annually visit and taste at the wineries. 

Slow Wine USA is the best the US gets to featuring wineries with certified organic vines, with more than 135 (out of 380) included in the guide. The guide is $25 and available for purchase online at slow foods website or on Amazon.com.