REGENERATIVE VINEYARDS Building the Foundation and a Successful Transition
The day began with a two-hour masterclass from Chuck Schembre exploring the “why” behind regenerative agriculture and how to evaluate your context and begin the transition.
Chuck Schembre | Regenerative Ag Consultant, Certified Professional Soil Scientist
Introduction to RVF & One Block Challenge
We next heard from Caine Thompson and Stephen Cronk (RVF Board members) about 1BC’s approach and impressive achievements from Paso Robles to New Zealand.
Caine Thompson | Managing Director, Robert Hall Winery & Head of Sustainability, O’Neill Vintners & Distillers and Trustee & Chair of Technical Committee, The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation
Stephen Cronk | Co-founder and President of Maison Mirabeau and Co-Founder and Chair, The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation
Ben Mackie | Vineyard Program Manager at Napa Green
Beth Forrestel PhD | Asst. Professor of Viticulture & Enology at UC Davis
Hilary Graves | Vineyard & Growers Relations Manager at Booker Vineyard
Morgan Twain-Peterson, MW | Owner & Winemaker at Bedrock Wine Co.
Napa Green hosted a boots in the soil field day at Bedrock Vineyard in Sonoma, where we focused specifically on reducing or eliminating tillage—a cornerstone practice for regenerative viticulture. Morgan Twain-Peterson and Jake Neustadt will share Bedrock’s approach and insights adapting low- and no-till approaches to old vine and dry-farmed vineyards, while Chuck Schembre provided technical expertise on the below- and above-ground benefits of these practices. We also featured a demonstration of Sectormentor’s cutting-edge platform for tracking regenerative indicators and essential farm data.
While the field day at Bedrock wasn’t recorded, we’re sharing a great John Kempf podcast interview where Morgan Twain-Peterson and Jake Neustadt share great insights about their regenerative transition and practices.
Chuck Schembre | Regenerative Specialty Crop Consultant at Understanding Ag
Chuck has been working in agriculture and natural resource positions for 20 years, which includes managing small-diversified farms, fruit orchards and larger scale vineyards, and working as a soil scientist, agronomist, and resource conservation specialist in California and Nevada. Throughout Chuck’s multiple positions, he has served as a soil health educator, conducted many presentations and trainings, and has worked with 100’s of farmers and landowners providing on-farm technical assistance and soil health consulting. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Earth and Soil Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is a Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS), and Erosion and Sediment Control Specialist (CPESC).
Caine Thompson | Managing Director, Robert Hall Winery & Head of Sustainability, O’Neill Vintners & Distillers
Caine Thompson, Head of Sustainability for O’Neill Vintners & Distillers and Managing Director of Robert Hall Winery has cemented his industry leadership in sustainable winegrowing and operations throughout his wine industry career.
In 2017, he joined Rabble Wine Company and as President (prior to O’Neill’s acquisition in 2021), he led the brand with the Earth in mind. Several of these sustainability programs he started continue at Rabble today through Caine’s direction at O’Neill (1% for the planet). He also initiates and implements green practices, leading the charge for sustainable certified for 200+ growers (15,000 acres) on behalf of the entire O’Neill organization. Since joining O’Neill Vintners & Distillers in October 2020, Caine has developed and launched a regenerative viticulture case study that will impact wine farming practices for years to come, which has now evolved to 1,000 in conversion to regenerative organic.
Stephen Cronk | Co-founder and President of Maison Mirabeau
The Mirabeau story is one of following a dream and the pursuit of a deeply held passion for wine. Founded in 2010, Mirabeau has collected some of the most prestigious wine industry awards and Stephen and Jeany Cronk are delighted that people enjoy their wines all over the world.
Ben Mackie | Vineyard Program Manager at Napa Green
For the past 15 years, Ben has been designing and implementing regenerative farming systems in a variety of ecosystems. A New Englander by birth, Ben fell in love with agriculture in the verdant fields of northern California in high school. Ever since, Ben has been managing farms, improving soils, and educating the next crop of environmental stewards with a holistic view of farming with natural systems. No stranger to Napa, he previously lived on Mt Veeder, where he fell in love with the oak and madrone woodlands and made friends with the local ravens. When Ben is not helping Napa’s vineyards adopt 21st century practices, he is spending time with his impressive wife and two wild children in the woods and on the water. Ben currently occupies Nisenan Territory and is a proud alumnus of Sterling College in Northeast Vermont, where he received a BA in Sustainable Agriculture.
Beth Forrestel PhD | Asst. Professor of Viticulture & Enology at UC Davis
Elisabeth Forrestel studies the phylogenetic and functional basis of drought and heat responses in grapes, and ways to mitigate climate change impacts in viticulture. Her work includes incorporating monitoring technology in vineyards and using remote sensing data to help paint a fuller picture of the environmental factors that most significantly affect plant growth, berry chemistry and, ultimately, wine quality.
Hilary Graves | Vineyard & Growers Relations Manager at Booker Vineyard
Hilary Graves is a winegrower, winemaker and viticulture educator with more than 20 years of field experience on California’s Central Coast.
Hilary’s winegrowing philosophy allows the land to speak through the fruit: “I see my job as managing the vines instead of manipulating them, so that the grapes can express where they come from—I never want to change the outcome of what the place wants to show.”
This transparent mindset also goes hand in hand with Hilary’s passion for sustainability. “I believe that farmers, more than any other occupation, have the ability to capture carbon and turn back the clock on climate change,” she says. “It’s something that I take to heart and factor into all of my farming decisions.”
Morgan Twain-Peterson, MW | Owner & Winemaker at Bedrock Wine Co.
Morgan’s early exposure to wine and winemaking was thanks to his father Joel Peterson, who had started a small passion project called Ravenswood Winery— a job for which he was steadily not making money while working out of a small building along the big curve on Broadway. Though always enamored with the wine industry, Morgan bypassed a traditional Viticulture and Enology degree and studied History and Political Science at Vassar College. After undergrad, he enrolled at Columbia University with an eye towards a Masters in American Studies. meanwhile working at a small shop in the Upper East Side called Pet Wines. There, he met Chris Cottrell, with whom he became fast friends.
Jake Neustadt | Director of Viticulture at Bedrock Wine Co.
Director of Viticulture, Jake Neustadt, grew up in the East Bay and came of age backpacking in the Sierras and annoying his neighbors with an overly loud garage band. His higher education at UC Davis began with a focus on journalism and international relations but, upon realizing the bleak realities of those career paths, quickly gravitated toward agriculture and winemaking.
Jake’s wine industry career has orbited around old vines (Rock Wall Wine Company, Ridge) with a sidestep into West Sonoma County Pinot Noir (Freeman) and a harvest learning the agony of bird nets in Central Otago, New Zealand (Misha’s Vineyard). It was at Ridge, under the tutelage of David Gates and Will Thomas, that Jake learned the idiosyncrasies of farming old vines with sustainable practices like biological control and site-specific cover cropping along with using modern viticultural instrumentation and data analysis in order to improve old-school organic and dry farming practices.
Victoria Nicol | Strategic Partnerships at Sectormentor
Victoria is on a learning journey of how simple tech focused on regenerative methods can help farmers manage their lands and regenerate our natural world.
Nathan Wood | Vineyard Manager at Johan Vineyards (Willamette)
Nathan Wood has a lifelong love affair with grapevines. Growing up in the vineyards of Rutherford, CA, alongside his father and grandfather, he developed a passion for winemaking that took him around the globe over a decade-long career.
Nathan developed a passion for integrative management and holistic agriculture. He understands that the ability to tell a story through the wine starts in the vineyard.
Anna Brittain | Executive Director of Napa Green
Anna Brittain is the Executive Director of Napa Green. Anna has worked locally, nationally and internationally on environmental management and policy with organizations ranging from the environmental economics think tank Resources for the Future in Washington, DC to the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Hanoi, Vietnam. She has spent a decade facilitating and growing sustainability in the wine industry, with an expertise in communications and certification standards. Anna has served as a lead sustainability consultant with Ontario Craft Wineries, Sustainable Winegrowing British Columbia, Crimson Wine Group, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, and individual wineries including Benziger Family Winery and Seghesio Family Vineyards. She has helped lead the growth of the Napa Green program for over six years, and stepped into the position of Executive Director of the now independent non-profit in fall 2019. Anna has a Master’s of Environmental Science & Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara and a BA in Political Science and Environmental Studies from Williams College.
What a great #OneBlockChallenge first field day!
Not only was it a gorgeous day with a great community of people we also heard from some awesome speakers:
🍇 @cainethompson about the @regenerativeviticulture foundation and the implementation practices
🍇 Jordan Lonberg @coastalvineyardcare about continuous improvement and shifting the industry mindset
🍇 @soilrainandhope about the practical aspects of the regeneratives practices and how @napagreen and @naparcd can provide support
🍇 Dustin Owen @celaniwines about their their vineyard’s regenerative journey
Thanks to all who attended and to @celaniwines for hosting!
➡️ To learn more about regenerative vineyard practices or to enroll in either the One Block Challenge or Napa Green Vineyard certification, head to the links in our bio.
#regenerativeag #climateaction
Join our first @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture One Block Challenge Field Day to hear from this great lineup of speakers, meet other participating growers, and learn how to take the first steps in implementing regenerative practices.
We look forward to seeing you on February 12, 2026 at @celaniwines to connect learn more.
Registration link in bio.
#regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture #soilhealth
It’s hard to believe it’s already been 3 years since @marisataylorwines joined our team, but time flies when you’re having fun (and wine)!
Join us in celebrating Marisa Taylor, who is an accomplished winemaker and sustainability leader with over two decades of experience in the wine industry, and also the Napa Green Winery Program Manager, where she partners with wineries across Napa Valley to advance meaningful environmental stewardship and sustainable winegrowing practices.
Thank you for bringing your passion and positive energy to our team every day!
The team celebrated with our @napagreen certified #NapaNeighbors @rombauervineyards.
#winebusiness #womeninwine #sustainablewine
Join us for the @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture #OneBlockChallenge first field day on February 12, 2026 from 10-12 @celaniwines.
This event is open to all winegrowers and vintners who are curious about regenerative viticulture but space is limited so register today at the link in our bio.
#soilhealth #regenerativeviticulture
Congratulations to @domainecarneros for receiving the @napachamberofcommerce Sustainable Business of the Year award presented by @mcecleanenergy.
Thank you for your leadership, innovation and dedication to sustainability and the community!
#greenbusiness #winebusiness #napagreencertified #napagreen
@antinorinapavalley family’s winemaking legacy spans over six centuries. To ensure that legacy continues, they have a deep commitment to sustainability and the care of the land for future generations.
Hear why Antinori is exploring the use of @hopenvironmental1965 soil compostable tie tape in the vineyard.
#regenerativevineyard #greenbusiness #sustainablewinery #greenpurchasing #landstewardship
‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️
@mvino1 has spent her career in the wine business telling the unique stories of wineries and as a Sommelier and Vintner. Here she has created an itinerary that showcases a rich variety of regional efforts in the Stag’s Leap District, Oakville and northern St. Helena. Check it out to experience the whole systems, regenerative practices at each of these @napagreen certified wineries that are as essential and unique as the terroir we pride ourselves on here in Napa Valley.
📍 @chimneyrockwinery
📍 @bcellars
📍 @boeschenvineyards
Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
🍃 Save green and drink green!
If you’re visiting the Central Napa Valley from anywhere in California, January is a great time to check out these incredible #NapaNeighbor deals from @napagreen certified members running through the end of the month.
📍 @ballentinevineyards
📍 @barnettvineyards
📍 @cliffamily
📍 @freemarkabbey
📍 @grgichhillsestate
📍 @mummnapawinery
📍 @pejuwinery
📍 @rombauervineyards
📍 @rutherfordhillwinery
📍 @schweigervineyards
📍 @stsupery
📍 @tressabores @tressaboreswinery
📍 @vsattui
📍 @whitehalllane
📍 @zdwines
Check out @napavintners or reach out to each winery for more info, and stay tuned for more adventures heading North.
#winetasting #visitnapavalley #sustainablewine
We love working with @mcecleanenergy to not only help you save energy but also money!
Hear from Dominus Estate’s Tod Mostero to hear how much they saved from a lighting change then connect with the Napa Green or MCE team to learn more.
🎥 @robot_productions
#energyefficiency #climateaction #sustainablebusiness #greenbusiness #sustainablewine
‼️Save this Itinerary‼️
Check out these stunning @napagreen certified wineries in this itinerary from @evyncam that takes you from the bay to the forest to explore the wide range of ecosystems that Napa Valley has to explore.
📍 @bouchaine_vineyards
📍 @ruddestate
📍 @seaveyvineyard
Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
🍃 Save green and drink green!
If you’re visiting the Southern Napa Valley from anywhere in California, January is a great time to check out these incredible #NapaNeighbor deals from @napagreen certified members running through the end of the month.
📍 @antinorinapavalley
📍 @artesawinery
📍 @chimneyrockwinery
📍 @cliffledevineyards
📍 @hydewines
📍 @odetteestate
📍 @pineridgewine
📍 @priestranchwine
📍 @robertcraigwinery
📍 @robertmondavi
📍 @stagsleapwinecellars
📍 @truchard
Check out @napavintners or reach out to each winery for more info, and stay tuned for more adventures heading North.
#winetasting #visitnapavalley #sustainablewine
Find out what being @napagreen certified means to @joshwidaman and the team @pineridgewine, then go for a visit and taste the love in every bottle!
#sustainablewine #regenerativeviticulture #winetasting
‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️
Check out this itinerary by @danpetroski of participating @napagreen wineries and vineyards that contribute to the long-term health of our land and ensure that Napa Valley remains a thriving and beautiful region for future generations.
📍 @larkmeadvineyards
📍 @silveroakcellars
📍 @vsattui
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️
This is not your typical itinerary by @abrittain – wetting your palate for wine producers that are difficult, perhaps impossible, to visit. However, if you are a wine connoisseur seeking exceptional wines from sustainability and climate leaders you should absolutely put in the effort to secure wines from these @napagreen certified producers.
📍 @dominusestatewinery
📍 @lailvineyards
📍 @adamvs
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️Save this Itinerary ‼️
This itinerary is ideal for a girls’ trip or a day out with friends! Discover the sustainable side of Napa with @goodfriendsgoodfood itinerary, which celebrates diversity and offers wines tailored to a range of palates.
These @napagreen certified wineries provide beautiful settings to connect over fantastic wine, all while supporting positive change within the wine industry.
📍 @domainecarneros
📍 @rdwinery
📍 @trefethenfamily
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️ Save this itinerary‼️
This itinerary by Sommelier and Vintner, @danpetroski, showcases a rich variety of regional efforts from @napagreen certified wineries with a diversity of style, size, production and profiles, where each place focuses on varies in accordance with their distinct microclimate.
Be sure to check out the second 1/2 of this itinerary to complete your visit!
📍 @ashesxdiamonds
📍 @cliffledevineyards
📍 @hydewines
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary