Beneath the Vines: Regenerative Viticulture & Farming at Groundstar
Sta. Rita Hills, California
At Groundstar, the end of harvest marks the beginning of some of our most important regenerative work. With all our fruit successfully harvested and delivered, we turn our attention to the soil beneath our vines—undertaking a series of farming practices designed to improve soil structure, encourage biological activity, and build long-term resilience across the vineyard.
From strategic cultivation with a Yeomans plow to compost applications and cover cropping, these practices are integral to our regenerative farming program, guided by Regenerative Organic Certified® standards and a long-term vision for the health and vitality of the land.
Strategic Soil Cultivation: The Yeomans Plow in Regenerative Viticulture
One of our priorities is addressing soil compaction while minimizing unnecessary disturbance.
Compacted soils can restrict water infiltration, limit root development, and reduce the movement of air and moisture through the soil profile. Over time, these conditions can affect the biological processes that support healthy vines.
To help address this, we've incorporated the Yeomans plow into our soil management program, joining a handful of vineyards in California using this specialized implement.
The plow traces its origins to Australian agricultural pioneer P. A. (Percival Alfred) Yeomans, who developed the Keyline system of land management in the 1950s. His approach emphasized working with the natural contours of the landscape to improve water infiltration, soil fertility, and agricultural productivity. Yeomans, author of Water for Every Farm (1964), helped lay the groundwork for many principles associated with regenerative agriculture today.
Unlike conventional plowing, which turns and inverts the soil, the Yeomans plow uses narrow shanks to loosen compacted layers beneath the surface with relatively little disruption to the soil above.
The objective is to create pathways for water, air, and roots while preserving as much of the existing soil structure and biological community as possible.
This is not cultivation for its own sake. It is a targeted intervention within a broader reduced-tillage approach—one that recognizes that soil disturbance should be purposeful rather than routine.
Cover Crops: Keeping the Vineyard Floor Alive
Another one of the fundamental principles of regenerative agriculture is to keep the soil covered.
Bare soil is vulnerable to erosion, moisture loss, and temperature extremes, while a living cover helps protect the surface, support beneficial organisms, and build healthier soil structure.
At Groundstar, seeding the next cover crop is an important part of our fall soil management program. This year, we're proud to source our seed from Green Cover, a company specializing in regenerative agriculture and soil health. Co-founder Keith Berns developed a customized seed blend suited to our vineyard conditions and worked with our team to advise us on its application.
Our selected seed mix includes 13 species from seven plant families, including clovers, peas, oats, barley, rye, daikon radish, phacelia, and flax. Each contributes something different: legumes help fix nitrogen, deep-rooted plants create pathways for water and air, grasses build organic matter, and flowering species support pollinators and beneficial insects.
Our collaboration with Green Cover grew out of the One Block Challenge, an initiative of the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation that brings growers together to explore and implement regenerative farming practices. Keith was also a keynote speaker at MINDSET, the regenerative viticulture gathering we were proud to sponsor earlier this year.
With the seed now planted, we look forward to watching a diverse living cover develop between our vineyard rows—protecting the soil aboveground while supporting the biological activity beneath it.
Compost and the Cycle of Renewal
This fall, we also applied 125 tons of OMRI-certified dairy compost across Groundstar Vineyard as part of our ongoing efforts to build healthier, more biologically active soils. The OMRI listing guarantees that this compost meet strict organic standards.
Rich in organic matter and nutrients, compost supports the microorganisms responsible for decomposition and nutrient cycling while helping improve soil structure and water retention. Together with our cover cropping and strategic soil cultivation practices, it plays an critical role in restoring and maintaining soil fertility.
Compost also illustrates one of the fundamental principles of regenerative agriculture: returning organic materials to the land and supporting the natural cycles that sustain a living ecosystem.
Healthy soil isn't built through a single application or intervention. It develops through years of consistent care.
Integrating Animals into the Vineyard
Animals are another important part of our regenerative farming program, helping connect vegetation management, soil fertility, and the natural cycles of the land.
This winter, we're excited to welcome back Cuyama Lamb for another season of managed sheep grazing at Groundstar. As the sheep move through the vineyard, they help manage vegetation naturally while returning nutrients and organic matter to the soil.
Beyond the vineyard rows, we're exciting to work with the Cuyama graziers as we continue to develop a more comprehensive holistic grazing plan for Groundstar and the surrounding landscape. Our goal is to thoughtfully integrate livestock into the larger ecosystem, supporting healthier soils, biodiversity, and long-term land stewardship.
The return of the sheep is something we look forward to each winter—and another reminder that regenerative farming is about working with nature, season after season. Stay tuned for some adorable updates when our woolly friends arrive!
Regeneration and What's Ahead
In June 2026, Groundstar became the first vineyard estate in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA to achieve Regenerative Organic Certified® Bronze status.
This milestone reflects our commitment to soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness, building on our existing organic farming foundation. But certification is not an endpoint. For us, regeneration is an ongoing process of observation, learning, and adaptation. Our vision extends well beyond the vines.
Alongside our soil work, we're embarking on an ambitious native habitat restoration initiative supported by a grant through the California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Pollinator Habitat Program. The project includes new hedgerows, more than a thousand California native plants, and dedicated habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
All this work may be less visible than harvest, but its importance is no less significant. By investing in healthier soils and a more biodiverse landscape today, we're working to build a more resilient estate for the seasons and generations ahead.
There's much more to come from Groundstar! Stay tuned for updates on the return of our grazing sheep, the transformation of our native habitats, and exciting new releases—including Groundstar sparkling wine and the debut of our regenerative gin.
