The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has named “nature-based solutions,” including carbon farming, as one of the top five solutions to climate change. Grape growers have a proactive role they can play in both building more resilient vineyards and mitigating climate change. Practices like cover crops, compost, and conservation tillage build soil health, water and nutrient retention and plant delivery, resiliency to drought and high heat AND they store more carbon in the soil.
During this Salon, freelance journalist, author and professor Dr. Mark Gudgel will moderate a conversation with Kelly Mulville of Paicines Ranch, Ivo Jeramaz with Grgich Estate, and Natalie Winkler from Salvestrin Winery about the soil microbiome and the underground brain of the vine. This powerhouse group will discuss decades of science, ongoing research, and their own experience with the benefits of expanding regenerative farming practices in the vineyard.
Dr. Mark Gudgel is an eighteen-year veteran of teaching high school English and presently serves as assistant professor of education at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha. Gudgel is a Fulbright Scholar and a sought-after speaker. His 2012 TED talk is entitled “Empowering young people to repair the world.”
After honeymooning in Wine Country, Mark and his wife, Sonja, began a wine blog and soon after he was recruited as a regular correspondent for American Winery Guide. From there, Gudgel went on to write for Food & Spirits, Dine, Edible Omaha, and numerous other publications. Today, Gudgel is a regular contributor to Edible Marin & Wine Country and Napa Valley Life magazines. Gudgel’s book on teaching about the Holocaust, Think Higher Feel Deeper: Holocaust education in the secondary classroom, was released from Teachers College Press in 2021. His forthcoming book, The Rise of Napa Valley Wineries: How the Judgment of Paris put California wine on the map, focuses on the wine industry and issues that surround it, and will be released from History Press in May of 2023. Gudgel is also the president of the board of directors of the vinNEBRASKA Foundation, which raises money for local charities and offer scholarships to aspiring culinary arts students and wine professionals.
Presently, in addition to academic research and teaching, Gudgel is working on another book on the Napa Valley. When he isn’t teaching or writing, Gudgel runs marathons, volunteers at his kids’ school, and plays board games with his family. He lives in Omaha with his wife, Sonja, and their children, Titus and Zooey.
For the past 25 years Kelly has managed, designed and consulted with vineyards, farms and ranches throughout the western USA, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. His work focuses on designing and creating agricultural systems and practices that restore ecological health, increase biodiversity, create resiliency to climate change, and increase profitability and beauty.
Kelly is vineyard director at Paicines Ranch.
Ivo was born in Croatia to a family of grape growers and as boy he assisted in making wine for his family’s enjoyment. However, he didn’t plan on becoming a winemaker. Ivo earned a master’s of science degree in engineering from the University of Zagreb and dreamed of coming to California to work as an engineer. In 1986, with the help of his uncle, Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, Ivo followed his dream and came to Napa Valley. He quickly fell in love with the scenic beauty of the area and became fascinated with wine making. Ivo decided on a career change and Mike immediately put him to work washing barrels. During his almost-three decades at Grgich Hills Ivo has worked his way up in responsibility, learning the classic style and art of winemaking from his uncle, supported by the tools of science and technology. “There’s nothing in the winery or vineyard that I haven’t done, not just for one day, but really worked at it,” he explains.
Natalie’s enthusiasm for viticulture and winemaking began in an inconspicuous way. She landed a gig at a local wine bar while attending the University of Oregon. Immediately she was smitten by the variety of wines grown all over the glove. A friend and mentor suggested working a harvest abroad. Recently graduated and fluent in Spanish, Natalie jumped on a plane to Spain in 2009 for vintage at Bodega Elias Mora in Toro. Once she had dirty vineyard boots and purple hands, suddenly her future became very clear.
Currently Natalie works as viticulturist and winemaker at Salvestrin Winery in St. Helena, Napa Valley where she spearheaded the transition of the Dr. Crane Vineyard to organic and regenerative farming. She continues experimenting with biodynamics. Natalie is very keen on farming as the key to premium wine quality.
She holds a BA in Spanish and Political Science (University of Oregon) and a Master’s in Viticulture and Enology from the University of Valladolid in Ribera del Duero, Spain.
Join us for RISE Climate & Wine Symposium starting April 29th, 2025!
Early bird pricing is available only through March 15th so don’t delay on picking up your tickets. Remember - Napa Green Certified Members receive a special discount and information can be found in your Napa Green Newsletter.
RISE is the first of its kind Climate & Wine Symposium. Held in Napa Valley at @charleskrugwinery, put on by the team at @napagreen.
This six day event centers around the six pillars of sustainable wine growing with each day having a unique focal point and expert speakers.
Now is the time to procure your early bird pricing tickets at the link in our bio or our website: www.risegreen.org.
Please join us at RISE beginning April 29th 2025. Now more than ever, we look forward to seeing you there.
Early bird pricing is still in effect and tickets may be purchased at the link in our profile. #rise
📣 Calling All Sponsors!! RISE Climate & Wine Symposium begins again this Earth Month and it has NEVER been more important to get involved then right now.
Reach out ASAP to Anna or Megan via rise@napagreen.org if you are an interested sponsor! 🌿
Economic benefits & ROI of workshops: In a time of changing consumer trends, we want you think of us as extended members of your team. We are here to help share information of ways to not only increase your sustainability but also share with you how these things bring with them ROI, decrease in cost, consumer approval & many other economic benefits.
Join us at our All Things Bottle Sustainability Workshop on April 26th to hear from our panel of experts. Registration is $20 and the link can be found in our profile. Cheers!
‘What if things get better?’
We highly recommend you take a moment to read this beautiful piece featuring RISE Speaker @mimicasteel.
“As the predictions of climate scientists become reality, imagining a better future can feel impossible. But hope might be right beneath our feet… Mimi Casteel shows us what’s possible with regenerative agriculture.”
“Mimi’s work fills me with hope that healthy soil can create local cooling effects that bring the temperature down dramatically, remove carbon from the atmosphere, feed more people with nutrient-rich food grown on fewer acres—and give us an enriched base from which to imagine.”
Read the full story by Pulitzer finalist Karen Russell in @esquire, at the link in our bio.
Join us at WIN Expo on November 30th!
The Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo is the largest show and conference focused exclusively on Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino & Lake Counties and is the 2nd largest wine industry show in North America.
Use Promo Code: BEN2023 for $30 off registration. Details and website may be found at the link in our bio.
Join @agrology.ag for a Webinar on October 18th at 10:00am PST on Regenerative Agriculture Certifications: How they work and why they matter.
In the world of regenerative agriculture, third party certifications matter. These endorsements can demonstrate your commitment to sustainability. But what should you look for in a certification? And, what are the pieces that need to be in place to receive a certification?
In this webinar, Napa Green`s Anna Brittain and Ben Mackie will cover how their organization set the highest bar for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry and what that means for growers everywhere. From adoption, to impact, to measurement, they will cover the basic principles of regenerative agriculture and the steps growers can take to prepare for certifications.
Sign up at the link in bio asap!
Check out the article, The Path to Zero-Emission Wine Shipping featuring our own @mkshepp of @spottswoodewinery!
This detailed article by @betsyandrews goes in depth on the various ways to decarbonize global & local wine shipping.
“With options growing for low-carbon shipping and freight, the wine industry is looking for new ways to lessen the climate impact of its global transportation network.”
Head to the link in our bio for the full piece. Well researched from a global perspective and truly a great read!
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we are honored to feature friend of Napa RISE, the incredible @__latinag!!
“A wine region can pride itself on understanding the intricacy of a well-made blend, or driving innovation of techniques and technology, but a region such as Napa Valley enriched with a lasting LatinX legacy can lead the way in uplifting the history of the many skilled hands that have cultivated and sustained the world-class wines from Napa Valley the wine-loving public has come to appreciate and enjoy today.’
As a tribute to their legacy and contributions, Gabriela Fernandez recently contributed to Napa Valley Vintners’ NAPA magazine, shining a light on the history and heritage of the LatinX community. In her penned article, she explores a story of struggle and success, honoring the courageous spirit of resilience and entrepreneurship at the heart of the community’s lasting legacy.
Find the full article at the link in our bio and catch @__latinag on the cover of @wineenthusiast this month!
Copyright (c) 2025 Napa RISE. All Rights Reserved. | Mission | Media Inquiry | Social Kit | Sponsorship Inquiry | Contact