4-Year Regenerative Farming Study Results Released

D.O. Cava to be fully organic starting this year

Happy 2025! In our first newsletter of the year we look at top news that came out during the holiday break. Pam Strayer recaps the findings of Robert Hall Winery’s four-year comparative study of conventional and regenerative organic farming practices in Paso Robles for Grape & Wine Magazine. The study reveals notable improvements in water retention, soil health, and wine quality, alongside a 15% yield increase in the regenerative vines during the 2024 vintage, despite a 10% annual rise in farming costs. Costco’s commitment to DEI, Gundlach Bundschu reports sales growth linked to sustainable practices, D.O. Cava to become the first 100% organic region this year.

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Viticulture

Paso Robles, California: For Grape & Wine Magazine Pam Strayer covers the results of Robert Hall Winery’s four year study comparing yields, costs, wine quality in a conventionally farmed vineyard and a regenerative organic one (supplemented with biodynamic herbal and mineral sprays and compost).

• The results show a dramatic difference in water retention, soil respiration, soil carbon, wine quality and yields. While elements of the study have been published before, the full 4-year results are now available courtesy of General Manager Caine Thompson and O’Neill Vintners & Distillers here.

• Highlights include:

  • Yields were up three out of four years in the trial, while farming costs increased an average of 10% annually overall, Thompson said.

  • In the trial’s fourth year (the 2024 vintage) during another warm vintage, yield data showed a 15% increase in the regenerative organic vines.

  • The team calculated there was “a 7.8% decrease in average daily high temperature during the critical harvest period in the regenerative block,” when grapes are typically in danger of ripening too quickly.

  • “There’s more complexity in the wine compared to the conventional control,” Thompson said. “There’s freshness, there’s more vibrancy, there’s a different energy in the wines. We’ve got more of those classic Cabernet characters,” he said.

  • Robert Hall Winery offers consumer and trade vineyard tours to the control and regenerative organic blocks (side by side) and schedules field days that provide growers and others to learn in depth about the trial.

Diversity & Equity

US: Costco is one of the few companies who strives to remain committed to their DEI programs. Marketing Daily

• In response to the National Center for Public Policy Research, which is pushing the company away from diversity, equity and inclusion they released a statement "The conservative think tank requested that Costco evaluate and publish a report on the risks of the company maintaining its current DEI roles, policies and goals amid a wave of corporations slashing all references to the organizational framework,” according to The Hill.

• “In its response to the proposal, Costco called out the group for 'inflicting burdens” on companies through 'policy bias' and said their proposal did not aim to address financial risks but to strike down DEI efforts.” “Among other things, a diverse group of employees helps bring originality and creativity to our merchandise offerings, promoting the ‘treasure hunt’ that our customers value,” Costco said in its proxy statement to investors. “We believe (and member feedback shows) that many of our members like to see themselves reflected in the people in our warehouses with whom they interact.”

Vinification

Champagne: The Drinks Business spotlights producers including Moët and Dom Pérignon who will continue to block malo-lactic fermentation despite climate change’s impact on lower acidity levels.

• Instead they will look to preserve and add “freshness” that can be achieved through phenolic management.

Marketing

Sonoma, California: Gundlach Bundschu, marking a full year of farming under Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC®) shares some positive sales data they are attributing to their sustainability positioning. Press release via Wine Business

• Per Jessica Curotto, Chief Revenue Officer. "We're ending the year with our wholesale shipment revenue up 17% over prior year and our new GUNBUN brand up 62% compared to the previous twelve months. New placements with partners like Del Frisco's Grill and Target are helping us bring our sustainable wines to more tables than ever before."

Paso Robles, California: Following the recent expansion of its estate into a neighboring 27-acre vineyard, Booker Vineyard & Winery announced that this new acreage has been officially designated as Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™). Press release via Wine Business

• The original Booker estate was already certified by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™), and those certifications now officially extend to the entire expanded estate.

Penedès, Spain: By 2025, every bottle of Cava —including the Reserva, Gran Reserva, and top-tier Cava de Paraje Calificado categories —will be produced from organically grown grapes. The Drinks Business

• It will be the first for any DO in the world.

• New ‘quality stamps’ on all bottles of Cava will guarantee the origin and quality of the wine, and contain information about the category and minimum ageing requirements. A unique code on each bottle will also allow consumers to find out further information about the provenance of their wine, should they so wish.

• When the DO first announced its intention to become fully organic, Huguet told db: “We are a region near the sea, so we have few problems, and it is easy for us to be organic. We are sure that organic is better for our landscape, more healthy and more sustainable. With climate change, conversion is becoming easier because we have less rain, less humidity and so less risk of fungi attacks.”

California: The 2025 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards applications are now open at greenmedal.org and will be accepted until February 5, 2025. Press release via Wine Industry Advisor

• This marks the 11th annual presentation of the awards.

Construction

University Park, PA: Two researchers at Penn State — Juan Pablo Gevaudan, assistant professor of architectural engineering, and Kaitlyn Spangler, assistant professor of community development and engagement — are exploring how leftover agricultural materials could be used as a cement replacement to create concrete that is sustainable. Penn State Institute Of Energy And The Environment

• “Corn stover actually has a lot of potassium, silica, some sodium, and calcium in it,” Gevaudan said. “These are usually found in the soil, and over time, corn will accumulate a lot of these in its biomass.”

• By putting the biomass through Gevaudan’s technology, two things happen.

  • First, the inorganic material of the biomass is infused with carbon dioxide to create mineral nutrients that a farmer can use to fertilize the soil.

  • Second, some lignin, the durable fibers of plant cells, is removed, preparing the treated biomass to be used for bio-refineries that create aviation fuel, for example.

• Alternative cementitious materials have two major benefits. First, its manufacturing process can use waste or other byproducts and manufacturing alternative cement generates up to 90% less CO2 than conventional form cement concrete, Gevaudan said.