News
Where is Esteban Today?
Apr 06, 2023"It can be difficult to try and manage time when you're a full-time parent, full-time employee, and full-time student. No matter the age, pursuing higher education can be the best decision you will ever make." more info
American Vineyard Magazine - Scholarships for Children of Wine Industry Workers
Mar 27, 2023Vineyard Team’s Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship makes multi-year, higher education investments in the children of vineyard and winery workers based on academic excellence, financial need, and community involvement. more info
Congratulations, 2023 Green Medal Winners
Mar 22, 2023We would like to congratulate the four California wineries that were awarded this year's California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. more info
Quarterly Update from Beth Vukmanic
Mar 22, 2023We have been hard at work bringing together resources on sustainable winegrowing for you during the first quarter of 2023. Here is a recap in case you missed anything that can help you grow your business. more info
What's Your Sustainable Story?
Mar 20, 2023It’s here! The tool that you need to tell your Sustainable Story. Research shows that the demand for sustainable products keeps growing. This brand new, Our Sustainable Story series was made to help you tell your customers how you take care of the people and the planet so that you can increase your wine sales. more info
Do you have internship opportunities for scholarship recipients?
Mar 10, 2023We are continuing to support our scholarship recipients by sharing internship opportunities with our Vineyard Team members. Work experience will help these students further their careers and, in times when staffing is tight, connect you with potential recruits. more info
Vineyard Team - Who Are We
Mar 02, 2023We realize "Vineyard Team" encompasses quite a lot! We are a small but mighty team, and although our mission of sustainable winegrowing remains the same, our organization facilitates sustainability in many different ways. As we have grown and programs have been introduced and expanded, we are frequently asked about who we are and what we do. Our Who Are We series was created to consolidate all of this information in one place for you; to learn and share with others! more info
Scholarship Applications are Open!
Mar 01, 2023Apply to win $1,000 to $6,000 per year to help pay for junior college, four-year university, or trade school! Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship are open until March 31, 2023. more info
We are honored! 2022 IPM Achievement Award
Feb 22, 2023All of us at Vineyard Team are honored to be receiving DPR’s prestigious IPM Achievement Award. Each year the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) honors California organizations for their integrated pest management (IPM) achievements. The IPM Achievement Awards recognize organizations and individuals that are leaders in using reduced-risk pest management practices and sharing their successful strategies with others. more info
Meet Alex Gonzalez! Our Dedicated Scholarship Administrator
Feb 14, 2023Scholarship Applications Open March 1-31, 2023
Feb 09, 2023Are you or your parent/guardian employed or contracted by the California vineyard and winery industry? Then Mark your calendar: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship applications will be open March 1 - 31, 2023. more info
Lessons From Sustainable Vineyard Farmers
Feb 06, 2023While "sustainable" is a common term in agriculture today, this was not the case in 1994 when a small group of vineyard growers got together on California's Central Coast to talk about critical resource concerns like safe pest management, soil quality and farmworker training. more info
Growers Needed: Conservation Can Pay
Feb 01, 2023The Environmental Defense Fund is looking for growers to join a study to identify the farm financial impacts of conservation adoption, including costs, cost-savings, additional revenues, risks in the transition, and increased yield resilience over time. Participating growers will work confidentially with a certified accountant to learn more about ROI on conservation. more info
What is a Tailgate Meeting?
Jan 10, 2023You've probably heard us mention Tailgate Meetings when we describe the benefits of being a Vineyard Team member. What exactly is a Tailgate Meeting? Keep reading to find out. more info
Want to Join a Regenerative Ag Research Project?
Jan 10, 2023Cal Poly SLO is researching the impacts of long-term regenerative agricultural practices in Pinot Noir vineyards in California on carbon sequestration and soil health. more info
Listener’s Top 5 Episodes: Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast
Jan 02, 2023Episodes in 2022 included interviews with experts from elite viticulture and enology universities including Cornell University, Penn State University, and Oregon State University. The top 5 most downloaded episodes of the year include... more info
Dana Merrill is named 2023 CAWG Grower of the Year
Dec 21, 2022The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) announced the selection of Central Coast grower Dana Merrill as the 2023 Grower of the Year, and employment and immigration attorney Jeanne M. Malitz as the 2023 Leader of the Year. The Grower of the Year Award is the highest honor given by CAWG. It is bestowed upon an individual, family or company representing an outstanding example of excellence in viticulture and management more info
2022 Year in Review
Dec 16, 2022As 2022 comes to a close, we took a moment to appreciate the last year. From January to December, we were hard at work bringing together resources on sustainable winegrowing. more info
Thank you to all of our long-term Members for your support
Dec 16, 2022Congratulations to our long-term Vineyard Team members! Since 1994, we have partnered with hundreds of growers, wineries, and agriculture vendors. Our Vineyard Team Members all have a common goal of promoting and prioritizing sustainable farming practices. more info
Invite a friend, on us.
Dec 15, 2022Do you know a friend that could benefit from the latest viticulture knowledge?If you enjoy getting the latest up-to-date viticulture education as much as we do, bring a friend who is not a current member with you to an upcoming tailgate meeting for free. more info
The Best Podcast for Sustainable Winegrowers
Dec 06, 2022Grow your knowledge as you drive between vineyards. more info
Here’s How You Made a Difference
Dec 01, 2022By GivingTuesday you helped raise $61,561.70 to provide academic opportunities to children of vineyard and winery workers. That’s amazing! more info
Help Students like Lizbeth this GivingTuesday
Nov 26, 2022Since Lizbeth’s parents didn’t even have the opportunity to attend high school, she always felt it was important for her to take the opportunities she could find to continue her own education. Lizbeth says, “My parents have sacrificed so much for my siblings and me. Continuing my education is just a small way for me to pay them back for everything they have done for me and my brothers and sister.” more info
Evelyn’s Story is so Inspiring
Nov 19, 2022While Evelyn’s family always encouraged her to attend college, their economic struggles meant that the dream would be hard won. Due to a physical disability, her father was not able to work, leaving her mother to be the sole provider for the family of four. Evelyn was determined to attain higher education, and sought out financial aid and scholarships to cover her educational expenses. She remains enduringly grateful for the aid. more info
Niner Wine Estate's Buck-a-Bottle month supports the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship
Nov 16, 2022November is Buck-a-Bottle month for Niner Wine Estates. Every year, for every bottle that is sold in their tasting room and online, $1 is donated to a local charity fund. This year, Niner is donating to the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship. more info
Californian Vintners Report High Quality for 2022 Harvest
Nov 15, 2022Wine Industry Advisor recently released a Press Release on the 2022 winegrape harvest season, stating that after a season of curveballs, vintners across the state are expecting a high-quality 2022 vintage. more info
Make a Gift, Change a Students Life
Nov 12, 2022This year, Vineyard Team is participating in GivingTuesday! Our goal is to raise $75,000 to provide academic opportunities to children of vineyard and winery workers — but we’ll only reach that goal through the kindness and generosity of people like you. Will you support us on GivingTuesday? more info
You could win a 2023 Green Medal Award!
Nov 07, 2022Applications are being accepted for the 9th Annual California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. SIP Certified members have received awards in previous years -- you could be next!<br /> <br /> Applications will be accepted through January 20, 2023. more info
“The biggest inheritance that I’m going to leave you…”
Nov 05, 2022“You need to have a degree.” Mia, daughter of Juan Nevarez, heard it all of her life. “Education opens doors and will help you to become self-sufficient. People won’t take you seriously without it, and you’ll have to work extra hard to demonstrate that you know what you know.” more info
2023 Vineyard Team Grower Membership
Oct 31, 2022It is time to renew your 2023 Vineyard Team Grower Membership. As you know, Vineyard Team is dedicated to bringing you the latest sustainable viticulture knowledge. more info
Exciting News for the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship!
Oct 29, 2022$1.3 Million Raised for the Children of Vineyard and Winery Workers<br /> Wine industry and business leaders from across the country once again came together at Must! Charities’ PURPOSE event with a shared passion to give back—and the results were astounding. more info
Fall Wine Experiences from Hotel San Luis Obispo
Oct 13, 2022Now through December 18th, Hotel San Luis Obispo, a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of San Luis Obispo’s vibrant downtown, invites wine lovers to discover the beauty of the Central Coast during harvest with a host of fall-inspired experiences. They have teamed with two SIP Certified brands to offer guests incredible deals featuring sustainable wines! more info
Growing Grapes while Protecting Lakes
Oct 03, 2022Chantal Lefebvre, owner of WaterFire Vineyards, the first property outside of California to be SIP Certified, was recently interviewed by Jennifer Kiel of Michigan Farmer to talk about the history of their vineyard, and how they have used their sustainable certification to differentiate their business and demonstrate how to grow grapes while protecting the lakes. more info
From the Crops to the Classroom
Sep 21, 2022As a young child living in a small home in Mexico City, Esteban Garcia recalls using sun-warmed water from a 5-gallon bucket to bathe. “There were three of us kids and my mom had one for each of us,” he shares. “We grew up in poverty.”When the family moved to the U.S. in 2000, they found work as pickers in the fields of Santa Maria. Esteban remembers using his small hands to help his family collect strawberries and other seasonal produce starting each morning at 5am. more info
How $1 Million will Change the Life of the Next Generation
Aug 31, 2022First-generation students have more barriers when it comes to attaining higher education – they cannot ask their parents how to navigate the system. With this new funding, the program can expand to have an even greater impact. more info
Congratulations, 10-Year SIP Certified Members!
Aug 29, 2022Congratulations to our 10-year members! Sustainable agriculture is critical in the preservation and protection of the people and the planet, and farmers and producers like SIP Certified members put sustainability at the forefront of their business practices to ensure they are doing their part in protecting these precious resources. more info
$1 Million Raised for the Children of Vineyard & Winery Workers
Aug 23, 2022Wine industry and business leaders from across the country once again came together at Must! Charities’ PURPOSE event with a shared passion to give back—and the results were astounding. The evening’s “Fund a Need” raised $1 million to benefit the Vineyard Team’s Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides academic opportunities to children of vineyard and winery workers. more info
$62,000 Awarded to Children of Farmworkers
Jul 26, 2022The Vineyard Team’s Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Helps Children of Farmworkers go to College more info
Make a Gift, Change a Students Life
Nov 11, 2021You might have heard about our Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship. We know higher education is important to many students but paying for college can be challenging. The Vineyard Team’s Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship helps college students whose parents work in members' vineyards and wineries achieve their dreams. more info
The Best Gift you can Give Someone is a Gift of Education
Nov 10, 2021The Vineyard Team's Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship honors Juan Nevarez, a beloved member of the Central Coast winegrape industry, whose kindness, expertise, and passion shaped so many local vineyards. Juan Nevarez was a dreamer. But the difference between Juan and many at that time was his ability to turn his dreams into reality and share that opportunity for others. The Vineyard Team is proud to pay tribute to a Paso Robles Pioneer through this scholarship that supports families of vineyard employees in their educational pursuits. more info
Esteban’s Story of Achieving Higher Education is so Inspiring
Oct 27, 2021We know higher education is important to many students but paying for college can be challenging. The Vineyard Team’s Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship helps college students whose parents work in our members' vineyards and wineries achieve their dreams. Help us reach our goal to raise $50,000 by December 1. YOU can make a life-changing impact on a student’s future. more info