A Napa Oak Overlooks Vines (image courtesy of Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group)

The Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group was formed in 1995 to promote integrated pest management practices in Napa County, California. The mission of the Group is to identify and promote winegrowing practices that are economically viable, socially responsible and environmentally sound.

Specifically, the Group promotes viticultural land stewardship through educational outreach to:

• Optimize ecological stability and winegrape productivity and quality by understanding and emulating natural processes such as biodiversity, carbon and nutrient cycling, and plant-soil interactions.

• Reduce pesticide inputs through cultural practices, biological control, and use of alternative materials.

• Promote soil health through erosion control, reduced tillage, soil analysis, and the amendment of soils with cover crops and compost.

• Enhance returns on investment by promoting the value-added nature of sustainable winegrapes along with terroir and increased vineyard longevity.

The Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group is comprised of members representing Napa winegrape growers, vintners, and local government and educational organizations. The Group represents over 25,000 acres of farmed vineyard land and over 20,000 acres of un-farmed/wild land as of March 2007.

In a 5-part podcast interview, American Feast's Doug Ferber has a talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group to learn more about their important work.

To listen to Part 1 click on: A Talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group Part 1

To listen to Part 2 click on: A Talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group Part 2

To listen to Part 3 click on: A Talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group Part 3

To listen to Part 4 click on: A Talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group Part 4

To listen to Part 5 click on: A Talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group Part 5