Regenerative Viticulture Foundation launches to restore soil health in the world’s vineyards
Industry leaders discuss the urgent need for wine to lead the way towards a regenerative future
The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (RVF) – a new non-profit organisation dedicated to restoring soil health in the world’s vineyards – announced its launch end of March with an inaugural panel discussion and fundraiser hosted by Jancis Robinson MW, Dr Jamie Goode and the RVF Trustees at 67 Pall Mall.
The event brought together leading members of the wine industry, including speakers Miguel Torres (Familia Torres) and Mimi Casteel (RVF Trustee and owner of Hope Well Wine, Oregon), to explore the RVF’s urgent mission to reconnect with our planet’s soil.
“Following generations of intensive farming, the world is in a state of agricultural emergency,” said Casteel. “As stewards of our land, it is our responsibility to undo the ecological damage by supporting the organic matter that composes healthy soils and strengthening the wider ecosystems they are part of. This holistic approach to bringing natural balance back to our working lands is what ‘regenerative’ means to us, and we believe that wine – with its innate sense of terroir – can lead the way.”
The RVF was established in 2021 as the first global regenerative viticulture (RV) network. The foundation now has board representation from Australia, Denmark, France, the UK and the USA, with all members working across five key areas of activity:
1. Connect: Bring together practitioners, researchers and leaders in regenerative agriculture and viticulture to further the cause of restoring soil health in the world’s vineyards
2. Research: Work with experts in the fields of viticulture, agriculture, science and farming to research the environmental, qualitative and economic benefits of RV
3. Support: Serve as the reference point and support platform for producers adopting RV practices, and anyone who wants to learn about RV or join the RVF in its global mission
4. Educate: Provide educational seminars, workshops, social media events, talks and resources for anyone who wants to learn about RV
5. Promote: Proactively raise awareness of RV and its benefits across the board, from wine producers and growers, to farmers, retailers, educators, journalists and the general public
While the RVF will not offer an accreditation programme, it will serve to support and guide producers on their journey to helping vineyards recover from the impacts of intensive farming. The foundation is encouraging interested parties to sign up to the mailing list and actively seeking pledges to fund its first tranche of research and resources.
“Any of us who have children, know children or have grandchildren will be aware that we are leaving this planet in a pretty terrible way and must do as much as we can to fight that,” said Jancis Robinson MW. “I love the fact that this foundation is dedicated to improving soil health and biodiversity, and I'm utterly convinced there is an urgent need for this central point so people around the world can discuss regenerative viticulture, share experiences and encourage cooperation, which is so sorely needed."
Notes:
The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (RVF) is a registered charity and squarely aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal #15 to “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss.”
The RVF currently has eight trustees on its global board, including:
• Stephen Cronk, Co-Founder and CEO of Maison Mirabeau (France)
• Mimi Casteel, Owner of Hope Well Wine (USA)
• Jesper Saxgren, ice-Chairman in Organic Denmark’s Global Committee and Ambassador for EARTH University in Costa Rica (Denmark)
• Dr Alistair Nesbitt, Viticulture Climatologist and Viticulturist at Vinescapes (UK)
• Richard Leask, Director of Leask Agri (Australia)
• Ivan Massonnat, Owner of Domaine Belargus (France)
• Martin Gamman MW, UK & Eire Market Manager at Joseph Perrier Champagne (UK)
• Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, International Wine Consultant and Owner of Domaine of the Bee (UK/France)
For further information, please visit: https://www.regenerativeviticulture.org/