4th U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit | May 6 - May 7, 2026

We hoped you could join us for two days of exploration into important sustainability topics at the 4th U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit, which was held in Walla Walla, Washington on May 6-7, 2026. Attendees connected with fellow wine professionals committed to driving meaningful change across our industry and beyond. Through panels, case studies, and cross-industry perspectives, participants gained actionable insights to enhance their sustainability practices and communicate their sustainability stories with authenticity.

Summit Resources:

AGENDA OVERVIEW

Day 1: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm

1:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. | Afternoon Sustainable Vineyard & Winery Tour
The tour began at the Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center, with visits to Seven Hills Vineyard, Ferguson Vineyard and Les Collines Vineyard and ended with a tour of Echolands Winery. During the stop at Ferguson Vineyard, guests enjoyed L’Ecole No 41 wines in the vineyard where they’re grown. The bus returned guests to the Marcus Whitman after dinner.

Speakers::

Seven Hills & Ferguson: Sadie Drury, General Manager & Viticulturist
Les Collines Vineyard: Brad Sorensen, Vineyard Manager & Viticulturist
Echolands Winery: Brian Rudin, Winemaker & General Manager and Doug Frost, CEO

5:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Summit Walk-Around Wine Tasting & Reception
The sustainable wine tasting was held on the lawn at Echolands Winery where guests enjoyed a walk-around style tasting with sustainably made wines from California, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington — and passed appetizers.

7:00 p.m. | Welcome Dinner & Keynote Address
The Welcome Dinner and Keynote Address was hosted inside the main tasting room at Echolands with Keynote Speaker, Erin Fitzgerald; Strategic Advisor and Founder of Fitzgerald Consulting.

Day 2: Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center

9:00 am - 11:45 a.m. | Morning Sessions

9:00 am | Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:10 am | Meeting Market Demand Through Sustainable Wine Packaging and Certification
<< Watch the Recording >>
Sustainability and packaging are increasingly important considerations in wine supply chains. Market trends around lighter-weight bottles, alternative formats and reduced carbon footprints are fundamentally changing how wineries approach packaging and sustainability strategies. In this session, attendees learned about marketplace expectations for wine suppliers and winery perspectives on responding to these market trends through their packaging and sustainability decisions. Attendees also learned how certifications and climate commitments influence purchasing decisions; and gained practical insights on positioning their winery to succeed in today's sustainability-conscious marketplace.

Speakers:

Cyril Penn, Editor-in-Chief, Wine Business Monthly (Moderator)
Herb Quady, President, Quady North
JJ Williams, General Manager, Kiona Vineyards and Winery
Sylvia Bronson, Chief Marketing Officer, Scheid Family Wines

10:10 am | Effectively Communicating Your Sustainability Story
<< Watch the Recording >>

Attendees gained insights into how to integrate sustainability into their communications and learned what makes sustainability messaging resonates with consumers and trade. Attendees also discovered proven strategies that transform how they share their sustainability story with authenticity and impact.

Speaker: Courtney Cochran, Principal, STUDIO SOIF

10:30 am | Break

10:45 am | From Intention to Impact: Climate Action Strategy & Implementation for Vineyards & Wineries
<< Watch the Recording >>
Climate change demands climate action — but getting started can be overwhelming. This panel brought together experts who will provided insights on how to integrate climate action planning into their business and shared tips on how to move from climate commitment to concrete action. Attendees gained insights into prioritizing initiatives, measuring impact and building a climate action roadmap that aligns with their operational realities and business goals.

Speakers:

Aaron Schreiber -Stainthorp, Strategic Sustainability Consultant, Sustainability Squared (Moderator)
Ariel Daly, Vineyard Manager, Adelsheim Vineyard
Dave Pittard, Owner, Buttonwood Grove Winery & Six Eighty Cellars
Ryan Johnson, Director of Marketing, Ridge Vineyards

11:45 am | Lunch with Optional Roundtable Discussions

Enjoy lunch while connecting with peers through optional, informal roundtable discussions on key sustainability topics. Participants may join a facilitated discussion of interest, or choose an open table to relax, network and reconnect with colleagues. Preview topics and table facilitators below.

Alternative Packaging and Tackling Scope 3 Emissions, Aaron Schreiber-Stainthorp, Strategic Sustainability Consultant, Sustainability Squared

Common Research Priorities for a Sustainable Future, Donnell Brown, President, National Grape Research Alliance

Communicating Sustainability: Sharing Insights and Lessons Learned, Mackenzie Pedersen, Senior Marketing Manager and Heather Bradshaw, Communications Director, Washington State Wine Commission

Creative Partnerships: Enhancing Collaboration Opportunities Between Industry and Community Partners, Martin Fujishin, Director of College Cellars and the Enology and Viticulture Program, Walla Walla Community College

Dry Farming Winegrapes, Lauren Pesch, Dry Farmer & Consultant, Chavez & Leeds Vineyards

Regenerative Viticulture and the One Block Challenge, Colleen Myles, Professor, Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University

Sustainability Certification Programs: Benefits, Challenges and Opportunities, Justin Jackson, New York Sustainable Winegrowing Program Manager, New York Wine & Grape Foundation

1:15 pm - 4:00 p.m. | Afternoon Sessions

1:15 pm | Using Dry Farming Techniques for Climate Resilience:
<< Watch the Recording >>
While dry farming (not using irrigation after the vines are established) is not suitable for every vineyard, reduced water availability will be one of the most significant climate change challenges faced by many winegrowing areas. This discussion provided background on dry farming practices that can help vineyards become more drought resilient, and shared recent research results on dry farming practices and soil health.

Speaker:

Lauren Pesch, Dry Farmer, Consultant and CSWA Dry Farm Project Manager

1:35 pm | Attracting & Retaining the Next Generation of Wine Professionals
<< Watch the Recording >>
Social sustainability includes how businesses interact with people, including employees, customers and communities. This panel explored multiple pathways for developing the next generation of wine industry professionals, including mentorship programs, educational programs and succession planning. Attendees heard from industry leaders about fostering talent, connecting with mentorship programs in your area and building frameworks that cultivate long-term careers in wine.

Speakers:

Alyson LaVarnway, Founder & Owner, The Osprey
Ashley Trout, Owner & Winemaker, Vital Wines
Devyani Gupta, Head Winemaker & Viticulturist, Valdemar Estates
Jean Dodson Peterson, Ph.D., Chair of Viticulture and Enology, Washington State University (Moderator)
Kristin Belair, Director of Winegrowing & Sustainability, Honig Vineyard & Winery

2:35 pm | Break

2:50 | Technology Solutions for Sustainable, Climate-Resilient Winegrowing
<< Watch the Recording >>

As climate change reshapes growing conditions, technology offers critical tools for adaptation and resilience. Attendees discovered practical technological solutions accessible to vineyards and wineries of all sizes. Through real-world case studies, attendees were able to learn about tools for water efficiency, canopy management and precision agriculture being implemented today. Speakers examined the use of artificial intelligence and the evolving role of data in sustainable agriculture — and shared how technology can help you work more efficiently while reducing environmental impact.

Speakers: