Economics of Organic Viticulture

Join us to discuss one of the most vital (but least sexy) aspects of vineyard management: Budgets.

One of the main resistances to phasing out glyphosate is increased labor and equipment costs. However, the costs of herbicides and fertilizers have risen dramatically, so increased labor demands can be offset by reduced supply chain purchases. In addition, leaders like Grgich Hills Estate have shown that regenerative organic farming can be cost-effective.

According to an analysis by Brotemarkle Davis & Co. LLP accounting firm, the average annual per acre cost of vineyard management in the Napa Valley is $14,800, with $3,800 in depreciation. At Grgich, they spend $11,000 per acre, with only $1,300 in depreciation due to the longer life of their vineyards.

Learn from regional leaders about the practical costs, challenges and benefits, and ROI of herbicide-free, organic, and regenerative vineyard management. And have the chance to try a few wines with an organic/regenerative story.

agenda

2:00 pm

Introduction

Anna Brittain | Executive Director | Napa Green

2:05 pm

Organic Vineyard Management in Varying Contexts & Conditions

Jesse Apgar | Enterprise Vineyard Management

2:30 pm

The Financial Case for Regenerative Organic Viticulture

Bernat Sort Costaย | Regenerative Organic Research Manager | Grgich Hills Estate

2:50 pm

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Regenerative Ag

Axel Herrera Morenoย | Postdoc, UC Davis Dept. of Land, Air & Water Resources

3:10 pm

Break to pour wine

3:20 pm

Dollars & Sense of Implementing Climate-Smart Viticulture

Moderator: Anna Brittain

Rebekah Wineburgย | Winemaker | Quintessa

Brad Kurtzย | Vineyard Director | Gloria Ferrer

Sarah Fergusonย | CEO/Co-Founder | Ruetd

4:15 pm

Wrap-up

speakers

Over forty years ago, Phil Coturri merged the ethos of his โ€œback-to-the-landโ€ hippie community with his life in wine growing, when he converted Dos Limones Vineyard to organic viticulture. He quickly discovered that, beyond the health and environmental benefits, organic farming and enlivened soils allowed a true sense of place to emerge in the wines. Winery Sixteen 600 is inspired by the opportunity to connect Phil Coturriโ€™s legacy in this industry with his vision of wine from the vineyard to the wineglass.

Bernat Sort Costaย | Regenerative Organic Research Manager at Grgich Hills Estate

Bernat Sort Costa is the Regenerative Organic Research Manager at Grgich Hills Estate, a winery in Napa Valley, where he focuses on overseeing research and implementation of sustainable and regenerative farming practices within the vineyards, particularly concerning soil health and biodiversity.ย 

Axel Herrera Moreno |ย Postdoc, UC Davis Dept. of Land, Air & Water Resources

Axel works with UC Davis’ leading regenerative viticulture researcher, Dr. Christina Lazcano, associate professor in the department. Axel presented a cost analysis at a recent regenerative ag event (not organic) at Jackson Family.

Rebekah Wineburg |ย Winemaker at Quintessa

A Washington, D.C., native, Rebekahโ€™s passion for winemaking began when she visited the Napa Valley with her parents and participated in tours of several wineries. Discussions of wine and winemaking on this visit left such a lasting impression that Rebekah went on to pursue a dual degree in chemistry and biology at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, with the dream of becoming a winemaker. While studying abroad in Australia, she shadowing a local winemaker and was further drawn to the craft. She then enrolled in the winemaking program at the University of California, Davis, where she earned a masterโ€™s degree in Viticulture & Enology in 2003.

Brad Kurtz |ย Vineyard Director atย Gloria Ferrer

Brad focuses on sustainable agricultural programs and technology to advance wine quality across a broad range of varietals and vineyard sites.

Sarah Ferguson | CEO/Co-Founder at Ruetd

Ruetd helpins clients visualize their vineyard and winery data by working with and building modern data management tools.

Anna Brittain | Executive Director at Napa Greenย 

Anna Brittain has worked locally, nationally and internationally on environmental management and policy. She has spent more than a decade working as a sustainability consultant with the wine industry, with an expertise in communications and certification standards. Anna has a Masterโ€™s of Environmental Science & Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara. Her mission is to spread the message that sustainability is sexy.