It's a massive tasting with 50 top wineries in Napa showcasing current releases, library wines and exceptional snacks.
Sunday, May 18, 2025, 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Hosted in Martini Park at Louis M Martini Winery, Saint Helena
NOTE: I've added * for wineries with at least one wine from certified organic vines and ** if all of the wineries' wines are from certified organic grapes.
Moon Mountain District is an utterly unique part of Sonoma County and not the first that comes to mind when you say "Sonoma." It's special - part of the Mayacamas mountains.
And yet, while Cabernet here is king, Moon Mountain District has plantings of diverse grape varieties, thanks to its varied microclimates. Its Syrah, Grenache and other Rhones are outstanding. Its different exposures also grow–surprisingly–Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Malbec and refined Zinfandels are also found here, thanks to its growers and vintners.
Many came here for mountain grown Cab, grown organically, who were attracted by working with pioneering organic vineyard manager Phil Coturri, who started his farming career on the historic Monte Rosso (the site of last year's extravanaganza event, featuring both current and ten year old wines, led by Antonio Galloni).
Headliners leading the masterclass include organic and biodynamic pioneer Rodrigo Soto, formerly of Quintessa, now of his own label, Far Mountain, and Brenna Quigley, mapmaker and geologist extraordinaire.
SUNDAY MORNING | SEATED MASTERCLASS | $400 per person*
*15% Early Bird Savings with code EARLYBIRD15 makes it $340 per person
It's starting to be a busy season as many wine events kick off this month and next.
Here's one I meant to give a headsup about earlier, but it slipped by me...until NOW.
I attended the first one of these which was held last year and it was exciting and engaging to have space to talk about things women do not always bring up in regular wine industry events. Last year I was lucky enough to write about the event for WineBusiness.com and you can read the article here.
The 3rd annual Natural Coast Wine Festival takes place this weekend from 12pm-5pm on Saturday, April 26th, 2025.
Superstars at the event include Amevive (Los Olives District AVA) and Lady of the Sunshine (SLO Coast AVA) as well as Paso Robles wineries Ambyth Estate, and Villa Creek and others.
(All four are certified organic or biodynamic and listed in Slow Wine USA 2025 guide).
The fest will be held at the new Satellite "The Factory" Event Space at 616 E Haley Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
THE WINES
"All wine must be farmed organically as a minimum. Whether certified or not, vineyards must be farmed without synthetic pesticides. Certification from CCOF, Demeter Biodynamic, etc. welcome and appreciated. Just farming *sustainable* is not enough."
"All wines must be fermented natively - whether spontaneously or using a pied-de-cuve. Sparkling wines may be accepted when fermented with non-native yeast if noted in technical information."
"No sterile filtration, no fining"
"Absolutely no additives except for SO2 with a maximum total SO2 below 70 ppm, regardless of wine style."(Note: Raw Wine allows up to 80 ppm BTW.)
"No magic techno-wizard winemaking tricks. This includes reverse-osmosis, cryo-extraction, spinning cone filtration, etc."
"None of these rules are negotiable. Breaking of any rules will result in a 3-year minimum ban from presenting at Natural Coast Festival events... and v. bad vibes!"
Growers in Lodi are "in a world of hurt," industry leaders say, due to decreased wine demand, and experts have recommended that the region tear out 30,000 acres of vines. But there may be a light at the end of the tunnel: going organic.
That's according to Vino Farms vineyard director Mike Harder who spoke at an Agrology webinar with Vino Farms viticulturist Daniel Meyers. The webinar explored the impact of organic and regenerative practices with a deep data dive on measurable soil health and respiration variables using Agrology sensors.
IMHO, I'd say this is hands down one of the most valuable webinars of the year, so far.
For a 20 percent increase in farming costs, they said buyers, large and small, are clamoring for certified regenerative organic grapes and paying double or more above the going rate compared to conventional grapes.
Markets are conversations, and it all depends on who's buying.
Bonterra was a key player in boosting Vino Farms' interest in organic grape selling, as was Avivo, a newer brand (approaching 30,000 cases in 2025). Now other smaller wineries are asking for grapes certified Regenerative Organic, the team said.
See the video and the slides for additional details.
The journey for Vino Farms began before 2023. (See earlier story with Craig Ledbetter on WineBusiness.com on the company's earlier organic perspective). The giant company farms 17,000 acres of conventional or sustainable grapes across California and is a major player in the wine grape grower world.
IN SEARCH OF SOLVENCY IN A DOWN MARKET: PIVOT TO NEW CLIENTS
Sustainable certification did not boost demand or prices, the team reported. Now the company is pivoting in a new direction it had not anticipated, representatives reported.
Said Harder:
"We are motivated as a business to stay solvent. Obviously, it's a business that's been in play for over 50 years, and we had to adapt, right? If we're going to stay in business, we can't rely on the big players, the big wineries in the game, to keep us sustainable for the future. We had to look outside the box."
"I remember a point where Dan and I got an email from our one of our owners. He says, 'Hey, my phone's going off the hook. We need to set up a meeting and talk about how we're going to expand our operations in terms of organic and biodynamic?' Well, that was two years ago."
After Avivo founder, climate activist and vintner Ridgely Evers sought biodynamic (and later regenerative and organic) grapes, in 2023, the team was invited to Bonterra in Hopland for a Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) workshop.
"So Dan and I toodle over there. And we sit, we listen to everything. They talk about the three pillars.
"And the first two pillars–soil health–I think we can handle that. That looks great. Shouldn't be a problem. The second pillar...animal welfare, I've got a sheepherder. We contract our sheepherder out. He's good."
"But the third pillar is the one that we all kind of, we looked at each other like, Whoa. That's a little invasive. There's some vulnerability there. I don't know that that would fly with us. Well, we took that back to ownership, and ownership batted it around for a couple of weeks, and we decided, 'let's make a run at it, right? So you expose yourself a little bit with that third pillar...Let's be honest. You've got to bring in HR, you've got to bring in your employees."
"And today, we continue to receive phone calls–not from the big players, but from small wineries–looking to source fruit that is regenerative certified. That's our motivation, guys."
CONSUMER DEMAND: NEWER WINE DRINKER SEGMENT IS PRO-ORGANIC
A recent Wine Market Council study on 1,800+ consumers in their 20s and 30's (representing a variety of ethnicities) found that 59 percent prefer organically grown wines. According to WMC president Liz Thach, roughly a third of all consumers are interested in eco-friendly wines.
As Harder put it,
"Everybody understands this is a market, right? And in my 30 years, I've never seen the market as dismal as it is today. If farms are going to sustain themselves for the next 50 years, we have to adapt. So that's our motivation–to continue forward with that. And it sounds shallow in a sense, right? But at the end of the day, we are a business, right? And out of this transition into regenerative, we are learning some things about ourselves as a company."
Charlie Dubbe, Agrology's head of partnerships, said consumer demand can change farming.
"Regenerative agriculture and regenerative viticulture cannot and will not scale to the level that we need it to really revitalize our food system, and our wine grape system, without that market mechanism..."
"I think that seeing that price difference is the market mechanism to allow you guys to not only explore regenerative, but now to get excited about it and continue to scale."
Harder said organic is providing a greater upside than sustainability.
"We were hoping that sustainability would provide us with that mechanism, and it didn't. We were hoping being certified sustainable would provide a little bump in price. I'll be honest–I don't know that I have seen a price increase in the last 15, 16 years from the big players in the Lodi region. So we are in a pocket that's very unique. We can grow tonnage to a certain degree, but we're not going to pump out 15-20 tons to the acre in Lodi. We can't do it. It's not feasible, right? So, at the price point that we are at, we have to find a niche market to continue, right?"
MEETING THE SOCIAL EQUITY CHALLENGE RESULTS IN A BETTER PRODUCT
Harder volunteered to become the first at the company to help achieve the social equity pillar which requires companies to pay vineyard workers a living wage (as calculated by an MIT calculator for each region in the US). He said closer relationships with workers have led to improvements for both workers and the company.
"[The workers] are actually out there doing the leaf pulling, the suckering etc., right? There's been a disconnect for a long time–well, probably forever–between the farm management companies and the farm labor contractor employees. What we're doing now is trying to bring that circle of communication closer with everybody, and this is going to evolve into a role where I get to go around and speak with all of the Vino Farms employees...without a doubt, there's a premium being paid."
"The smaller wineries are doubling what we would normally get from the big players. That allows us to come in on the labor side and do site specific tasks that these guys are asking for us to do. I can't really do that for the big players. It's just with the cost of labor and everything...it's just not feasible right at the end of the day. We're a business. We have to stay solvent. But definitely this move into the regenerative side, and the organic side, has given us that opportunity to get back in the fields and do these cultural practices that increase the quality, right? Absolutely."
BUSINESS BENEFITS
Increased wine quality and better water retention are two of the biggest benefits, he said.
"It's kind of hard to quantify the quality standards from a phenolic standpoint, but I think at this point, feedback from the winemakers has been outstanding."
"Lodi tends to struggle with acidity just because of the heat. I'm hopeful that these practices will help mitigate some of that. We're going to increase our water moisture holding capacity, we're going to move away from all these synthetics."
In a recent internal tasting at Donum (based in Sonoma's Carneros), Harder said the Agrology soil sensors backed up experts' sensory perceptions.
"We did a really interesting tasting where they had one block [a test block] where they've got basically no till, minimal till, and then full tillage...same varietal, same irrigation, everything."
"We got to taste the wines from those three parts of the block. There were some master sommeliers–people who really have quite sophisticated palates. It was so amazing the difference between the three. Everyone agreed that there was so much more life and layers of flavor and complexity in the wine where there was no till. And then what's great is we can pull up the Agrology data–we can show, 'Oh there's way more life, there's way more microbial activity in those blocks.' So it just makes sense, right?"
"It makes sense that in order to create wines with a lot of life and a lot of complexity, we need a lot of life and complexity in the soils, and we need soils that are highly functional. And then, of course, there's all the academic research that backs that up–that shows that when you have soils with more microbial life, you get a higher production of secondary plant metabolites, phenolics, tannins, which on the other side, help the vine be resilient and resistant to stress when there's these crazy ways, right? There's all these compounding, stacking benefits to regenerative."
QUALITY ORGANIC INPUTS MATTER
Vino Farms said it is now moving to supplement purchased organic compost with a new vermiculture program. It's also adding the use of compost tea as well as trialing new products it asked its vendor GrowWest to select for evaluation. Agrology sensors provide essential data, Harder said, to evaluate the impacts of various, cost-effective practices.
"We'll brew compost tea–250 gallons. We are hoping up to start hitting up to 500 to 600 acres with compost tea at once. We're pretty much finding that this can be affordable–affordable enough that we're going to be able to hit our ranches over and over with a compost tea, and then we'll use our Agrology sensors to see if we can pick up any boosts in carbon restoration when we do that."
Meyers said that planting hedgerows of native plants inbetween the vines, not just at the perimeters, is a cultural practice the company is moving towards.
"We're applying five tons an acre of compost every other year, and then that compost is blended with SOP, and that's really probably 80 percent of our nutritional requirements right there."
"And then going into spring, we have a ranch where we get bad leaf hoppers. When you're organic and regenerative, you can't just use a neonic to get rid of leaf hoppers like a regular vineyard would."
Vino Farms brings in a drone and spreads a combination of green lace wings and parasitic wasps [natural predators] to help control both the leafhoppers and vine mealy bugs (VMB).
Then they have a spray program that is sulfur based, combined with an organic fungicide. Biodynamic sprays (BD 501 and 500) supplement those practices throughout the season.
(Watch the video to hear more detailed explanations about this slide.)
Agrology data showed that the cover crops had a bigger impact than compost additions but that the biggest soil health improvement came from not using synthetic fertilizers and herbicide, Dubbe said.
"So this, the green line here, shows the conventional is receiving more compost. It is also receiving cover crops. But yet–that difference between not using synthetic fertilizers and not using herbicides–is creating a massive difference in the microbial biomass, carbon in the microbial activity and also in the carbon accumulation."
He continued, "compost, for example, gets burned off pretty quickly, right? I think the stat is like roughly half of it gets burned off in the first year, and then it's like a little bit less than a little bit less. It lasts like five years."
"But we know that the liquid carbon pathway, which is essentially getting carbon or energy into the soil, through plants...basically is absorbed out of the atmosphere, and then it is released into the soil as root exudates. That is the best way to get carbon into the soil, and that's the best way to build your biology."
"That's the best way to build soil organic matter that really stays for a long time...we can't really overstate the importance of cover crops and just having living plants on as much of our soil as as long as possible."
Another Agrology spokesperson added his observations on typical drivers for moving toward more regenerative practices.
"Typically, we hear two motivations right for going down this road. It's quality, and then it's climate buffering, dealing with heat, and dealing with water holding," he said.
ECONOMICALLY VIABLE?
Does all this pay off in the here and now? Harder said it does.
"[In Lodi] we're anywhere from $550 to $600, $700 tops, a ton. That's the reality for conventional in Lodi. And it's been that way for 15 years, as far as I can remember. We have not seen a price increase in Lodi in that long."
"We have smaller wineries and we have larger wineries that are sourcing fruit out of the organic and regenerative blocks. The larger wineries are a little bit softer on their pricing models. They're probably around $900 to $1,000 a ton. Whereas the smaller guys, the guys that are around the 2,000 case level...we're fetching anywhere from $1,500 to $1,800 a ton."
What about the cost side? Do the increased costs to farm under regenerative and organic certifications prove cost effective in today's market?
Said Harder, "It's more expensive on the cost–your IPM line items, your weed management, your weed abatement. Some items are a little bit higher, but not significantly. I'd say [farming costs are] probably 20 percent more."
"We're far more profitable in our organic and regenerative [compared to conventional or sustainable]...Absolutely." He said there was no price difference to the buyer between organic and regenerative organic at Vino Farms.
In order to simplify things, the grapes are farmed to meet a variety of certifications ranging from A Greener World (regenerative), ROC and organic. "We have a ranch that certified regenerative organic. We have Regenerative By A Greener World...CCOF certified...Lodi Rules, Bee Friendly and Demeter Biodynamic. We just farm in a regenerative way that essentially covers every single certification."
"We are still figuring out what regenerative certification is going to bring most value to us. We think Regenerative Organic (ROC) from ROA is the way to go."
"The hardest part about being ROC certified is when you do your social equity audit–that's a multi day audit," he added.
"But when it comes to certification, regenerative is a very quickly changing world, so we'll see."
Harder also said the quality of various practices is a big factor that is not often well explained.
"In my experience and opinions, it's really worth spending a little bit extra on the sources for that compost, right? Because you need so much less of it, if you're making compost teas. If you have really high quality stuff, with higher fungal counts, [it makes a difference]."
"People say 'Oh, you cover crop. But cover cropping is not [just] cover cropping. It's not cover cropping, right? Irrigation is not [just] irrigation. Compost teas–there's such a wide variety of the qualities and then the impacts that they can have, which again, brings us back to [the fact that] it's so important to measure the results and so important to be super observant."
TOP TIPS
Harder offered advice for anyone thinking of transitioning to organic and/or regenerative: don't assume it's just input substitution, and realize a conversion is going to take time.
"When you're farming organic regenerative, don't just try to find what you do conventionally and just find an organic version of that product and farm exactly the same. You're going to run into a lot of issues. You're going to learn that organic liquid fertilizers, especially when it comes to nitrogen, lack a lot of potency. You can get your potassium pretty easily organically, because the others are you're going to run into trouble. And then if you're also doing that, you're going to learn that treating leaf hoppers is very difficult.
"I would recommend just start doing compost. Start learning to replace conventional practices with organic ones, going one at a time. And if you do it right, and you do it correctly, you really shouldn't have much of a yield drop."
Dubbe concurred.
"There's this big kind of story out there that you're going to see a yield drop. I think that that is a myth. And the other piece you said that's really important is, like, don't try to do it all at once.That's what we hear from a lot of growers who are super experienced. Move slowly. Do just one block at a time, and then slowly transition, because there's such a learning curve to it. It is not just like an input substitution model. This is what doesn't work."
"Regenerative truly is like a different approach, and it's much more systemic, and I think in a lot of ways, it's a lot more interesting and a lot more fun, but there's definitely some challenges to it."
Although Vino Farms gets a small amount of funding from the healthy soils program, Harder said the organic blocks do not receive any grant money.
"Our organic stuff is profitable on its own," he said.
San Francisco, California – Join 20+ Sonoma Valley winegrowers and producers at Fort Mason's Gallery 308 on August 17th, 2025 for a first of its kind tasting experience focused exclusively on of progressive farming practices and wine tasting. With over 2,500 acres of Sonoma Valley vineyards now dedicated to organic, biodynamic, or regenerative practices, Sonoma stands at the forefront of progressive winegrowing on a global scale.
The first ever Sonoma Organic Regenerative Biodynamic Educational Tasting (aka S.O.R.B.E.T.) offers attendees the opportunity to taste with producers and learn more about the future-focused farming techniques that have become synonymous with the world-class wines of Sonoma Valley.
Wineries Featured:
I've added * for wineries with at least one wine from certified organic vines and ** if all of the wineries'wines are from certified organic grapes.
Some of these wineries buy grapes from Rossi Ranch (which is certified).
Abbots Passage*
Bedrock Wine Co.*
Bucklin Old Hill Ranch
Donum**
Fres.Co Wines
Guthrie Family Wines
Gundlach Bundschu*
Hamel Family Wines**
Hill of Tara
Korbin Kameron**
Kivelstadt
Laurel Glen*
Marioni Winery
Once and Future*
Pangloss Cellars
Repris Wines**
Stone Edge Farm**
Violet's Paradise Wines
Winery Sixteen 600**
Event Details
Date: August 17, 2025
Time: 1-4pm PT (12-1pm access for trade and media)
Location: Historic Fort Mason, Gallery 308, 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA
Katie Bundschu (Gundlach Bundschu and Abbots Passage), Sam Coturri (Winery 16600), and Morgan Twain-Peterson MW (Bedrock Wine Co)--years after their high school bus rides--have joined forces to create an event celebrating the pioneering spirit of progressive farming in Sonoma Valley. The trio wanted to shine a spotlight on the producers making mindful, future-focused farming decisions. And so, the inaugural S.O.R.B.E.T. was born.
"Sonoma Valley is one of the most historic wine regions in California with viticulture being a main driver of the community going back to the 1850s. On top of this, there is a long history of responsible, organic farming in the valley going back decades" says Morgan Twain-Peterson MW. "We are proud of this tradition and it has been great seeing the appellation become a leader when it comes to organic, biodynamic and regeneratively farmed vineyards."
Just posting the press release issued today recognizing green leaders...three out of six awards went to wineries with certified organic estates.
RISE Climate & Wine Symposium Announces RISE Leadership Award Winners
The RISE planning committee is pleased to announce the six winners of the 2025 Leadership Awards. Winners will give an empowering "TED Talk" at RISE.
Apr 10, 2025
The six-event RISE Climate & Wine Symposium is quickly approaching, with the launch event on Tuesday, April 29, and continuing to provide inspiration via 65 expert speakers through Thursday, May 8. One powerful element of each RISE event is the presentation of awards to regional wineries providing exceptional leadership on each of the Six Pillars of Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership. These community exemplars then have the opportunity to give their version of an empowering "TED Talk" at the event.
On April 29, Pine Ridge Vineyards will receive the award for leadership in Water Efficiency & Savings, spotlighting their transition to dry farming. On April 30, the team at Domaine Carneros will be recognized for their leadership in Energy Efficiency & Savings for their cutting edge microgrid and investments in renewable energy with a clear ROI. On May 1, Violet Grgich of Grgich Hills Estate will accept the award for Soil Health & Biodiversity leadership with their holistic approach to regenerative farming, and economic analysis showing the financial value of collaborating with nature.
"Domaine Carneros is thrilled to receive the RISE 2025 Energy Leadership Award, recognizing our recent advancements with our solar microgrid, an innovative approach to energy efficiency and resiliency," says Remi Cohen, CEO. "RISE is an essential gathering where industry leaders share breakthrough solutions to our most pressing challenges. With many on our team attending, we're eager to connect, collaborate, and continue advancing. Join us in this vital conversation shaping our industry's future."
On May 6, Doug Boeschen will join to receive the award for leadership in Social Justice, Diversity & Inclusion for Boeschen Vineyards' commitment to worker disaster insurance and hazard pay.
On May 7, Clif Family Winery will reveal the results of their packaging emissions inventory and be awarded for leadership in greening their Supply Chain & Waste Prevention.
During the final event of RISE on May 8, Opus One will be recognized with the leadership award for Climate Action & Regenerative Agriculture for their whole system approach including producing biochar, transitioning to no-till, empowering their team, replacing their water-intensive berm, investing in ecosystem restoration, and more.
Violet Grgich, President of Grgich Hills, shares, "As an honored recipient of the RISE award for Soil Health & Biodiversity leadership, I look forward to joining my fellow winegrowers at this year's symposium. RISE gives us an invaluable and not-to-be-missed opportunity to join together to affect positive change in light of the existential threat of climate change on our Valley and beyond. Together, we'll pioneer a brighter, better, and greener future."
RISE brings together industry leaders with carefully curated expert speakers you'll rarely or never get to connect with here in Napa, including Mark Arax, author of "The Dreamt Land", Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, leader of the 1000 Farms Initiative, and Jermaine Stone, creator and host of the Emmy-nominated Street Somm, using hip-hop to bring new audiences to wine.
Industry icon Cathy Corison, who together with her daughter Grace Corison Martin, will give a RISE keynote, observes, "Napa Valley is staged to be a leader worldwide as stewards of the land and our community--we must support our living web. RISE is a unique opportunity to come together to collaborate and share resources. On May 7th, we'll be discussing our multi-generational approach to leadership. Join us."
Now is the time to come together and take bold action--are you ready to be inspired? Don't miss these action- and impact-oriented conversations, and the chance to connect with leaders from across the globe. Visit www.risegreen.org to learn more.
Symposium Dates & Location: April 29, 30 & May 1 and May 6, 7 & 8 | Charles Krug Winery | Carriage House | 2800 Main St, St Helena, CA
Thank you to our Exclusive Event Sponsors: Napa Valley Vintners; MCE Clean Energy; Lallemand Plant Care
Bokisch Vineyards is proud to unveil Lo Xalet, our first-ever sparkling Cava, crafted in the traditional method with 9 months of aging. Made from a classic blend of 3 Catalan varieties: Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada, Lo Xalet is a true reflection of our Spanish heritage and winemaking passion.
April 12th they are celebrating at a sold out event at the winery.
Indulge in an unforgettable evening of Spanish tapas, live music, and a toast as we celebrate the unveiling of our first-ever Cava at Bokisch Vineyards! This exquisite new sparkling wine is hand crafted from the traditional Catalan grapes grown by Markus Bokisch —Xarello, Macabeo, and Parellada—this Cava is a true tribute to our passion for Spanish winemaking.
The name Lo Xalet holds deep personal significance, honoring Markus Bokisch’s family home in Spain— the place where his love for Spanish culture and traditions first took root.
“This sparkling wine is a culmination of 25 years of hard work establishing new Spanish varieties in California. My dream has always been to create a Cava from our own home-grown Catalan varieties. I’m so excited to share this special sparkling wine with you."
Lo Xalet will be available exclusively to our wine club members starting May 3rd. This limited-edition release embodies the spirit of celebration and the rich traditions of Cava-making, bringing a taste of Spain directly to our members.
The Story Behind Lo Xalet
Markus Bokisch’s family Xalet (a Catalan term for a seaside home) is nestled in his hometown of La Ra`pita, two hours south of Barcelona. Overlooking the Mediterranean, this beautiful retreat has been a cornerstone of his family's history. Though Markus’ parents immigrated to San Diego when he was young, he spent every summer back in Spain, living with his grandmother and extended family at the Xalet. It was in this home that all of the family celebrations occurred and where Markus’ deep connection to Spanish culture and winemaking was formed.
Now, with the release of Lo Xalet, we invite you to share in this history and raise a glass to the traditions that inspire us.
About the Wine
Made from a classic blend of Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada grapes from Bokisch's estate Miravet Vineyard, this dry sparkling white is crafted in the traditional method for a refined and vibrant character. With 12% ABV, it delivers crisp acidity and lively bubbles that elevate its delicate citrus and green apple notes, paired with hints of almond and fresh bread. The wine’s crisp, refreshing finish embodies the essence of classic cava, offering a perfect balance of fruit and minerality. Price: $60
“The moment we tasted it, I was thrilled because it really took me back to Spain and our years of living in the Cava producing town of Sant Sadurni d’Anoia.” Liz Bokisch
Bokisch Vineyards Winery, Tasting Room, and Hospitality Grounds are located at 18921 Atkins Road in Lodi, California.
I have long admired Organic Wine Exchange as the best online place to shop for organically grown wines. Proprietor Ann Arnold writes about a new program she is starting which I hope will help people find affordable, everyday wines from organic vines. Most are imports, but some are from US.
I wish I could say that wine.com or Cellar and Vine (from Safeway) were good ways to explore organic options, but neither has a filter for organic.
BAY REA LOCAL IN PERSON SHOPPING - PICK UP IN PERSON
The best local place to shop for organically grown wines is Good Earth in Mill Valley (Tam Junction) or their store in Fairfax. They let you order online for pickup at their store and their selection is VERY VERY GOOD. Everyone from Grgich Hills to Cantina Orsogna (one of my favorites - it's a biodynamic coop in the Abruzzo).
ONLINE SHIPPING TO YOUR HOME
If you want to get connected to a reliable retailer online who does deliver, try Organic Wine Exchange.
"The first Third Thursday Virtual Tasting on March 20th was super successful! It must have been the alignment of the Spring Equinox and all the good vibes.
I am excited to continue this series on a monthly basis. Next month we will be joined by Jeff Morgenthal, who is the importer of Gran Fondo wines and we will explore a variety of European selections from Italy, France and Spain.
Would you like to taste the wines with us next month? If so, on the next Third Thursday Virtual Wine Tasting (April 17th) we will have wines to send to you if you would like to join in the shenanigans!
You can bring together a group of friends and family to share the wines with you, or just open a couple bottles and save the rest for later.
Perks:
1Interact with myself and the winery/importer co-host live
2Receive an after email discount code for the wines presented
3Aquire the recording of the zoom video for revisiting at a later time.
I realize not everyone likes reds and/or whites, so I have created a few options. Either way, you will be able to hear about all the wines! Prices will vary between $52 - $159 (+ tax and shipping) depending on the wines for that month, and how many bottles we taste.
•Full Wine Tasting Subscription: 4-6 bottles
•Red Only Wine Tasting Subscription: 2-4 bottles
•White Only Wine Tasting Subscription: 2-3 bottles
Our last option is the Information Only Tasting Subscription for $15 a month. This means you can listen in on the full Zoom and still receive the discount code to buy wines from this tasting and receive a recording.
The recording will be helpful for those who:
1Don’t want to open all their bottles at once
2Could or don’t make the date and time of this tasting
3Would like to host their own wine tasting at a later date
Choose your Wine Tasting Subscription option
Psst. Get 15% off your first TWO shipments for our Monthly Virtual Wine Tasting with code: VIRTUAL15X2
Your first tasting purchase will have to be received by the first week of the month to give us time to get the wines to you. If you live in or near CA, you have until the 2nd week of the month.
Keep in mind your subscription does not bind you to participating every month. If you only want to do one tasting and or pick and choose the tastings you want to participate in, you can always put you subscription on hold for as long as you need to, and come back when you’re ready.
I attended this AWESOME conference and will have much more to say about it in coming weeks, but here is where the story starts…
by Organic Wine Conference
Mar 28, 2025
DUNDEE, Ore., (March 27, 2025) – For the first time in Willamette Valley history, vintners, farmers, wine consumers, and trade gathered on March 22 to specifically celebrate and discuss the impacts of organic farming practices on fine wine. Hosted at Alexana Winery, the inaugural Organically Grown Wine Conference brought together over 300 people for an interactive experience focused on showcasing the importance of organic practices and the effects of farming on fine wines. The day-long event was designed and led by the Organic Growers Network, a cohort of Willamette Valley-based farmers and viticulturists working with organic methods, and included insights from over 20 wineries, local food producers, chefs, sommeliers, and journalists.
"Organic farming is about collaboration at its core," says Alexana Director of Viticulture Drew Herman, a founding member of the Organic Winegrowers Network. "In the field, it’s about collaborating with nature. The Network was formed by Rob Schultz of Lemelson Vineyards so farmers could collaborate more efficiently. And with this event, we wanted to show folks from casual consumers to wine experts that the organic principles of health, ecology, fairness and care also include collaborating with our community at every step of the process—because our efforts are much more effective when we work together. And the wine tastes a whole lot better, too."
The cooperative nature of the Organic Growers Network was palpable across the event, which welcomed consumers and leading voices in the wine trade and media. The event was organized by Alexana Winery, Lemelson Vineyards, and the Oregon Organic Coalition, with support from the Culinary Breeding Network, Soter Vineyards, and the USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative. The day also included organic food from Cascade Organic, Wooden Heart, Naked Grazing, Organically Grown Company and Organic Valley, plus support from Field Day Public Relations, Visit McMinnville, and Travel Oregon, among others.
The conference’s hands-on field tours were highly attended as consumers expressed interest in witnessing common organic practices such as composting, cover cropping, and rotational grazing. In addition, leading voices in Oregon wine and organic certification spoke during an engaging panel discussion on The Impact of Organic Production on Wine Quality. Moderated by Elaine Chukan-Brown of Wine Enthusiast, the panel featured Jason Lett (The Eyrie Vineyards), Luisa Ponzi (Ponzi Vineyards) Chris Schreiner (Oregon Tilth), and Drew Herman (Alexana). Overall, the event significantly increased local understanding of how farming methods influence finished wine.
"We are thrilled with the turnout and conversations that arose at the conference," says Herman. "Not only were we able to introduce so many farmers to the folks enjoying their wines, but the day offered a chance for us to go deeper and really show people what’s happening in the vineyards to make the wines they love. It’s not something we get a chance to do often, and I already can’t wait to do it again."
My note:An exciting new development for the site formerly known as Ampelos. Great new name! And rockstar vit leader Jordan Lomborg on board! Woo hoo!
Press release by Groundstar Vineyard & Estate™
Mar 20, 2025
LOMPOC, Calif., (March 19, 2025) – Groundstar Vineyard & Estate™ proudly announces its debut, unveiling a bold new vision for the Sta. Rita Hills property formerly known as Ampelos Vineyard. The 80-acre estate, including 25 acres of premium organic and Biodynamically farmed vines, has been reimagined under the stewardship of Chiara Shannon and Joseph Brent, who acquired the property from Peter and Rebecca Work in 2024. The renaming reflects a deep commitment to regenerative agriculture—a global movement focused on creating a healthier and more sustainable future for farming communities and the planet.
Carrying a Legacy Forward—With a Bigger Purpose and a New Name
Building on the vineyard’s pioneering legacy in organic, Biodynamic, and sustainable viticulture, Shannon and Brent aim to enhance the quality, health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience of Groundstar Vineyard by implementing regenerative practices such as reduced/no tillage, habitat conservation, and holistic planned grazing.
“At Groundstar, we are looking beyond fence lines to cultivate a living example of how grape growing and ecology can thrive,” said Joseph Brent. “We are not winemakers, and this allows us to focus on farming innovation and land stewardship. With regenerative agriculture, we have the tools and a roadmap to care for our vineyard in the highest way possible while making a lasting, positive impact on the environment and our community.”
The name Groundstar draws inspiration from the Santa Ynez groundstar (Ancistrocarphus keilii), a rare native flower once thought extinct but recently rediscovered nearby at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc, CA.
“We were deeply inspired by the story of the Santa Ynez groundstar,” said Chiara Shannon. “Small but mighty, this rare, beautiful flower is local to our area and embodies resilience—a principle central to our mission. It also reflects the connection between soil and sky, a core tenet of Biodynamics, while offering a message of hope. We love our new name.”
Shannon and Brent bring a bold ambition to the estate: to become Regenerative Organic Certified®(ROC), ensuring their vineyard achieves the highest standard in regenerative farming. In December 2024, they welcomed Jordan Lonborg, former Viticulturist at Tablas Creek Vineyard, as their Regenerative and Biodynamic Advisor. Lonborg has since joined Coastal Vineyard Care Associates, which manages Groundstar’s vineyard operations.
"Jordan brings unmatched expertise in Biodynamic and regenerative viticulture,” added Brent. "Under his guidance, we’ve immediately begun implementing practices to build soil health and increase vine vitality. With Jeff Newton, Ruben Solorzano, and the Coastal Vineyard Care team by our side, we anticipate an exceptional 2025 harvest—with superior grape quality.”
A Destination for Sustainability and Community
Groundstar Vineyard is not just a vineyard—it’s a living laboratory for regenerative organic farming. Wine enthusiasts and the local community will have unique opportunities to experience the estate throughout the year. One of the first is “The Wilderness Table” fundraising event benefitting Los Padres ForestWatch, taking place at the estate on May 4, 2025.
"We are excited to share Groundstar with the world,” said Shannon. “Our commitment to regenerative farming goes beyond the vine—we hope to inspire others to see the potential of agriculture as a force for good, from the ground up.”
Join the Journey
To stay updated on the latest at Groundstar Vineyard, upcoming experiences, and the evolution of regenerative agriculture, visit www.groundstarvineyard.com.
Martorana Family is one of those visitor friendly, unique, under the radar wineries that has the most wonderful creekside picnic table for visitors...plus a supercool living green roof over the winery.
Bike and dog friendly, too.
If you want a kickback, true Sonoma winery to visit and play and picnic at, this is a great spot to explore.
This arrived in my email this morning and I wanted to pass it on...when was the last time you saw FREE TASTING in wine country???
GIO’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF WINEMAKING
Time sure flies when you’re crafting incredible wines. Our very own Gio is marking 20 years of winemaking magic at Martorana, and we’re popping some corks in celebration.
To keep this party flowing, we’re giving 20% off all wines, both at the winery and online. Use promo code GIO20 at checkout.*
But hurry! This deal disappears at midnight on March 31st.
Note: Your discount will be applied after the order processes. Promise.
TOAST GIO!
Free Tastings in March
We’re thrilled that sunshine and blue skies are making a grand return to Sonoma County, and we’re feeling nostalgic! So we’re throwing it back to the good old days with a special treat: Free wine tastings at Martorana all through March!*
Grab your friends, soak up the spring vibes, and raise a glass with us. We can’t wait to welcome you back!
At Ecofarm this year, I went to a well attended session that was an update for the organic community on the two years of state hearings on defining the word "regenerative," which is now a buzz word that even the USDA says means a great many things to a great many people.
From left to right: Regenerative Agriculture Work Group members: Bryce Lundberg, Lindberg Family Farms, Elizabeth Whitlow, former executive director, Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA); Eric Morgan, former vice president, Braga Fresh Family Farms and now CEO of Rooted Ag Inc., and Rebekah Weber, policy director, California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) speaking at EcoFarm at Asilomar, Jan. 23, 2025
I have been researching the history of the sustainability and organic and biodynamic movements for a book proposal (I have an agent, wish me luck) on the various shades of green, so this gave me a chance to dive in and do some deep research.
I read all the hundreds of comments submitted to the state during its hearings throughout the state, interviewed key influencers and wrote the article, which appeared last week on WineBusiness.com. As it is #2 in the most popular article list today, it looks to have captured some attention, as it should, as this new buzzword will confuse a lot of consumers.
While the state is using the word, included in some legislation, certifiers and a very few early adopter wineries have begun to use the term, separate from the Regenerative Organic certification which guaranteed only organic approved materials.
Now it appears that some wine companies, including the esteemed Domaine Chandon in Napa, owned by French luxury company LVMH, who wanted a non-organic regenerative certification have adopted the Regenified platform.
Others, who are already certified organic, found in the Regenified label, an easier on-ramp to using the word "regenerative" on their labels. In contrast, the ROC standard is the gold standard and has stricter requirements regarding worker fairness, etc.
So, once again, the green wine world splinters. Do you care more about carbon cycling (allegedly "regen") or chemicals?
Pity the poor consumer!
I urge you to read the article, which represents a 360 degree view, of the term and how, after appearing in the world of food, it could be coming for the world of wine.
Note: I also briefly looked at YouTube videos on regen in wine and they're going a great job of storytelling, above and beyond the usual wine videos. That is because they integrate animals in part. And regen is just a better story than the usual tractor-dog-guy and "our unique terroir."
Jan. 20, 2026 adding Estelbrook in Washington to the list.
Le Cuvier in Paso Robles was certified Bronze in 2026.
NOTE: ROA does not have product specifications - i.e. wine standards. It only has crop standards.
NAPA
--SILVER
• Grgich Hills Estate
• Neal Family Vineyards (also Demeter certified Biodynamic)
• Spottswoode (estate wines only [not the regular Sauvignon Blanc]) (also Demeter certified Biodynamic)
--BRONZE
• Stag's Leap Wine Cellars (estate wines only; in the 2024 vintage onwards and only from Fay and SLV vineyards at the moment; other SLW sites are in transition)
SONOMA
--SILVER
• Abbot's Passage (estate Zin only)
• Donum Estate (all five estate vineyards)
• Medlock Ames (winery being sold now)
--BRONZE
• Bedrock (estate vineyard only)
• Gundlach Bundschu (not all wine in brand; estate wines are from ROC grapes)
Thanks to an Hawaiian restaurant with good taste in organically grown wines, I am happy to announce that the selection of US organically grown fine wines available in boxes has expanded to TWO.
Also available but only from the tasting room at the moment (a search for proper shipping containers is underway) is Frog's Leap's Flycatcher, a red blend from 2022 ($140 for 3L).
Last year Tablas Creek had an abundance of Grenache and made an estate Grenache it called Alouette. It is not yet known if that will be on offer this year. (Their Patelin boxed wines are not organically farmed but are grown by their neighbors who planted Tablas clones). Stay tuned for Alouette updates.
As you may or may not know I am a huge fan of boxed wine–85 percent carbon emissions! Why buy glass, and a container for four glasses, when all you want is a glass of deliciousness with your lunch...or on your afternoon break...or when you're done gardening for the day...etc etc.
T.J. Martell's 15th Annual Los Angeles Wine Auction and Celebration will be held March 20th, 2025 at The Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, California
Press release by MAHA Estate/Villa Creek
LOS ANGELES, Calif., (March 12, 2025) - JoAnn Cherry, co-founder with her husband Cris, of MAHA Estate and Villa Creek Wines in Paso Robles, was a force of nature and an early advocate for organic and biodynamic farming along California's Central Coast. With her efforts, MAHA Estate is now certified both Regenerative Organic and Demeter Biodynamic, which not only produces delicious wines free from the use of chemicals and pesticides, but it is also harmonious with nature and helps to heal the Earth.
Before focusing entirely on their winery, Cris and JoAnn operated Villa Creek restaurant on the plaza in downtown Paso, a world class wine region, which became the de facto gathering spot for local vintners. So, when JoAnn passed away last year due to complications from cancer, her absence left a huge hole, not only with her husband Cris and two children, but with the entire Paso Robles wine community.
Cris and JoAnn were great supporters of the LA Wine Dinner and Auction for the TJ Martell Foundation, the music industry's leading funder of high-risk, high-reward cancer research leading to trailblazing advancements in early detection, screening, and treatments. For the 15th Annual version of the event on March 20th, 2025, in Hollywood, CA, Cris Cherry will be speaking to those attending about JoAnn, and the importance of funding essential research to one day eradicate this terrible disease.
Three co-chairs for the T.J. Martell dinner, Warren Christensen, Dino Paredes, and Danny Cooper, reached out to many of Paso Robles finest wineries for donations to create an impressive collection of wines to be auctioned in JoAnn's memory. The response was so overwhelming that the auction lot grew into a wine country escape for six people, over 200 bottles of the best wines in Paso (and the world), barrel tasting experiences with winemakers, catered lunches at three wineries, a three night stay at a beautiful vineyard house, dinner for six at Michelin rated In Bloom restaurant, and even a 20 lb. box of pasture raised chicken and pork.
In addition, Cris Cherry and family will prepare a multi-course meal for six people, paired with MAHA wines at his MAHA Estate. The lot also includes 2 cases of highly allocated Saxum Vineyards wines, an extremely rare tasting with owner/winemaker Justin Smith, the maker of Wine Spectator's 2011 Wine of The Year, and an instant addition to their allocation list - normally a 7 year wait!
This live auction lot will be offered to the sold-out crowd but will also be available to phone-in bidders. For more details, please contact Terri O'Lear at (818) 321-3336.
About T.J. Martell Foundation: The T.J. Martell Foundation's mission is to cure cancer by bringing the music community together to fund high-risk, high-reward research that could lead to trailblazing advancements in early detection, screening, and treatments. Since its formation in 1975, they have raised more than $280 million in support of medical research grants at leading institutions across the United States.
For more information, contact: Terri O'Lear | Knock Out Productions | KnockOutProductions@gmail.com | (818) 321-3336
As a Certified B Corporation, Bonterra Organic Estates (formerly Fetzer Vineyards) is grounded in the transformational goals of the regenerative business. Part of global powerhouse Viña Concha y Toro, Bonterra Organic Estates is focused on crafting wines rooted in regenerative, organic farming practices at our facility in Mendocino County, California, including category leader Bonterra; sustainability standout Fetzer; and 1000 Stories, California's original Bourbon barrel-aged wine.
We’ve got some big boots to fill as we hire our next Vineyard Equipment & Vehicle Maintenance Manager. Are you up for the challenge of managing two maintenance shops and two talented full-time mechanics while ensuring the utmost focus on safety and compliance not to mention managing over $1M in expense budgets? Keeping over 345 pieces of equipment in prime condition to support 830 acres of estate ranches isn’t for the faint of heart: 30 heavy truck/trailers, 25 pickups, 27 forklifts, 10 electric carts, 37 powered ag tractors, 148 ag implements, 14 ATV/UTV, 27 pumps and 30 small engine units.
Maintenance Shop Management
Effectively and efficiently manage the equipment and vehicle shops through the use of the work order system, parts inventory, developed shop operations standards, housekeeping and safety programs and standards. Provide subject matter expertise in the areas of equipment sourcing and equipment evaluations. Provide cost analysis for jobs performed, cost to repair vs. replacement based on material and labor tracking data
Provide expertise in troubleshooting complex mechanical issues.
Manage the installation and removal of pumps for frost protection. Maintain/repair irrigation and frost system equipment
Responsible for management of an effective preventative maintenance (PM) & repair program, considering the seasonality of farming operations.
Administration responsibility either directly or through the delegation of tasks:
• CardMaster Cardlock System
• ARI/Holman vehicle leases
• Enterprise Leases, Vineyard Dept only
• DMV required activities
Additional Duties
• As necessary, inspect, service, diagnose, repair, assemble, rebuild, maintain equipment and all vehicles found in a winery and vineyard fleet environment: light trucks, passenger vehicles, ATVs, heavy equipment, forklifts, tractors, harvesters, vineyard implements
• Perform welding and fabrication
Requirements
• HS diploma required. Associate’s or completion of technical/trade school program in diesel and automotive technology, or related field preferred. Combination of equivalent work, education or training experience will be considered.
• 8-10+ years experience in vehicle/heavy truck/vineyard equipment maintenance required
• Demonstrated experience leading work teams, including efficient delegation/prioritization of daily/weekly activities
• Demonstrated ability to work safely and maintain a safe work environment
• Demonstrated ability to actively repair and maintain vineyard & fleet equipment
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with internal/external contacts, vendors, outside contractors, employees, management, work teams
• Ability to work effectively within budget constraints
• As needed, travel to BOE ranches in the Hopland/Ukiah areas to provide mechanical support on equipment located at these sites
• Load and transport a variety of farming equipment to and from various ranch locations
• Will require certifications to operate specific equipment, machinery and/or plant vehicles
• Valid Driver’s License - Class C. Valid Class A license, a plus
• Will require work in maintenance shop environment and outdoor environment, including dirt and pavement, in all weather conditions, indoor/outdoor, working/standing on concrete floors
• Experience reading and using equipment manuals, equipment drawings and electrical schematics to diagnose and resolve equipment problems
• Requires reading and writing in English and intermediate to advanced math abilities
• Microsoft 365 office applications; email; internet
• Requires pre-employment physical
• Requires forklift certification or ability to become forklift certified
• Manager is required to support shop operations between 7:00am and 3:30pm, Monday - Friday
• Requires additional availability during seasonal peaks such as harvest and periods of frost. May also require call ins in the case of emergencies
Physical Requirements - Ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. and push/pull up to 50 lbs. on a frequent basis; requires ability to frequently walk, stand; sit, squat, kneel, bend; reach outward/upward; occasionally climb, crawl. Requires constant hand & finger dexterity for keyboarding/working at computer. Requires visual acuity & ability to distinguish colors. PPE: safety toe footwear, hearing protection, safety glasses.
Compensation - Target base salary - $115,000 - $125,000. Company vehicle provided.
Benefits - First day Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability, (401k) with company match
Requires successful completion criminal background, DMV check, drug screen, pre-employment physical. AA/EOE/M/F/D/V Requires submittal of verification of your citizenship or legal right to work in the US at time of an employment offer. https://www.bonterra.com/privacy-policy
CCOF videos usually feature produce growers, but this new video showcases wine grower and vintner Jane Jiang from Mendocino's Duncan Peak (in Hopland) talking about why organic grapes matter–and especially to younger people.
Her family acquired the vineyard in 2014. Now she and her brother run it.
"My name is Jane Jiang. I'm the proprietor of Duncan Peak Vineyards. When I first started in 2021 I was facing the choice between organic farming or conventional farming I have had some vineyard managers and vineyard advisers suggest conventional farming.
Organic farming will cost more and it's a lot harder for a beginner farmer like myself, but I think it's important for a younger generation to know the benefit of organic farming, benefit to the environment to the human health and also to the wildlife.
Think about a farmer who just sprays chemical herbicide in the farm and goes home and hugs their children with their clothes on. Or think about the underground water we consume, we use every day. But with organic farming you won't have to worry about any of this.
The organic farming is all about the balance between the vine and the nature. We use cover crops and we use compost to keep good health of the vine.
For a new vineyard to be able to get certified organic, they have to go through a three year transitional period and then you have to submit the paperwork and get reviewed and then CCOF will send out an inspector to do an initial inspection.
My biggest success so far is we were able to make high quality wine from our organic grapes and I find that it's extremely rewarding when people have positive feedback and also value our commitment to organic farming.
The latest CAFF newsletter includes a link for information about grants for farmers transitioning to organic.
Their webpage also includes a testimonial from Vitis and Ovis farm, which I visited and wrote about this fall.
General Information and Timeline
The Organic Transition Pilot Program provides up to $30,000 in direct funding to farmers and ranchers to support their transition to organic agriculture. Grantees will be matched with CAFF staff for technical assistance to help them navigate organic certification and implement organic transition practices. Grantees will also have access to business and marketing technical assistance through this program.
The application opens February 24th, 2025 and closes March 23rd, 2025 at 11:59PM.
Eligibility for Applicants:
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must:
• Be actively farming or ranching in California
• Have at least 2 years of farm/ranch business experience
• Be engaged in or planning to sell agricultural products for profit
• Be 18 years or older
• Already practice organic methods but not yet certified
• Have an Organic System Plan (OSP) or commit to developing one
• Have secure access to the land under transition
• University, research, and nonprofit farms are not eligible for assistance
Applicants from underserved and socially disadvantaged communities will be prioritized.
We are actively recruiting farmers in the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California, but applications are welcome from across California.
Uses for Funding
Grantees can receive up to $30,000 in general financial assistance, plus an additional $30,000 for field preparation ($1,000 per acre for up to 30 acres). All funds must be used within one year of the project start date. Grantees must use funding for eligible purchases only. See below for eligible and ineligible costs:
Allowable Costs:
Organic livestock, poultry, and related expenses, such as animal health management required by organic standards;
Organic feed;
Educational materials, training on organic certification and production, or meeting attendance;
Inspection and certification fees;
On-farm water or soil testing fees;
Outside consultant fees if desired, as for development of an Organic System Plan (OSP);
Farming supplies to be applied to organic farming on the transitioning acres, such as organic-approved plastic mulch;
Farm equipment and repair to that equipment, where equipment is specific or widely preferred for organic farming of the type expected to occur on the transitioning acres
Qualifying equipment must be drawn from the following list, or authorized by CDFA:
Compost production, storage or spreading installations and equipment;
Weed management tools such as flamers or tines, tarps, row cover;
Transplanting or direct seeding equipment;
Intercropping equipment and modifications;
IPM-aligned equipment;
Other cover-cropping equipment;
On-farm processing and distribution equipment (e.g., peelers, coolers, produce washing, sorting and sizing bins, refrigerated vehicles for transporting whole or minimally processed food) where it is applicable to the products expected from transitioning acres.
Organic seeds and starts, including cover crop seeds;
Organic fertilizers;
Organic pest control inputs;
Ecosystem enhancement supplies and equipment (e.g., hedgerows, owl boxes, riparian area protection);
Compost, compost building materials, and similar organic amendments;
“Custom farming” operations (e.g., contracting out to perform planting).
Unallowable Costs:
Property or land rent or lease;
Taxes;
Owner or employee labor;
Inputs for land outside the defined transitioning field(s), or for animals not dependent on the transitioning field(s).
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