300 Episodes of Sustainable Winegrowing: A Look Behind the Mic
When we launched the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast in 2016, we weren’t sure where it would go. Now, 300 episodes later, it’s become a go-to resource for growers, researchers, educators, and wine industry professionals dedicated to sustainability.
To mark this milestone, we flipped the mic around and interviewed our host, Craig Macmillan, PhD — long-time vineyard and winery professional, educator, and now podcasting veteran — to reflect on some favorite episodes, meaningful moments, and what’s ahead.
From Zoom Recordings to Global Reach
Craig began hosting when the podcast was just an idea sparked by the Vineyard Team’s goal to make sustainable winegrowing knowledge more accessible.
“I wasn't a podcast listener at all,” Craig admits. “But I said sure, why not? Let's try it.”
Since then, the show has featured scientists, growers, and innovators from all over the world, creating a ripple effect of conversations and connections. As Craig puts it:
“Those loops are starting to close — a guest recommends another guest, and we build a network of people doing really exciting work.”
Real Conversations, Lasting Impact
One of the podcast’s most rewarding surprises? Learning that some of the wine industry’s top minds (researchers from NASA, Cornell, and beyond) are listeners themselves!
“It really makes you feel like we're succeeding. That we're getting to the right audience,” Craig says.
From major research institutions to vineyard boots-on-the-ground, the podcast bridges the gap between cutting-edge science and real-world application.
Memorable Episodes and Personal Connections
Craig shared several standout moments over the years:
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NASA Acres & Remote Sensing with Alyssa Whitcraft — A reconnection with an old winemaking colleague’s daughter, now leading groundbreaking satellite work at NASA.
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Sour Rot with Megan Hall — One of the show’s first guests, a grad student at the time, now an industry leader and committee collaborator.
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Succession Planning with Erin Hoffman — An eye-opening dive into farm business continuity and generational transitions.
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To Till or Not to Till with Taylor Jones — A grower-led episode that became one of the most popular of 2025.
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Electric Trucks with Duff Bevill — Challenging assumptions about what's possible in vineyard sustainability.
Research, Relevance & Storytelling
Listeners love how each episode ties practical farming to broader sustainability goals. In fact, research discussed on the show inspired SIP Certified’s own storytelling training for tasting rooms, encouraging wineries to share the why behind their practices.
“People are willing to pay more for sustainable wine if they understand what that means. Not in the broad sense — in the specific,” Craig notes.
What’s Next for the Podcast?
Looking ahead to the next 300 episodes, Craig has a few goals:
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Revisit early guests to see how their research and projects evolved.
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Feature more grower voices and boots-on-the-ground innovation.
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Explore emerging technologies like robotics, AI, and variable-rate spraying informed by satellite data.
And above all, keep asking good questions.
“You never know what you're going to learn. Sometimes it’s abstract, sometimes it’s incredibly practical — but it’s always valuable.”
Thank You, Listeners!
Whether you’re a long-time subscriber or new to the series, thank you for tuning in and being part of this journey.
If you’ve learned something helpful, or just enjoyed the conversations, share the podcast with a colleague or grower friend. Your support helps us continue bringing expert voices and ideas to the field.
>>> Catch the 300th episode and more at: vineyardteam.org/podcast
Here’s to the next 300!
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