Growing Forward at Groundstar: Advancing Regenerative Viticulture in Santa Barbara County Through the One Block Challenge™
- Feb 16
- 2 min read
At Groundstar Vineyard, our work has always been rooted in a simple belief: healthy soils create resilient vineyards, vibrant ecosystems, and more expressive wines.
That’s why we are proud to be part of the Santa Barbara County launch of the One Block Challenge™ — a global regenerative farming initiative led by the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation.
On Thursday, February 26, growers, vineyard managers, winemakers and agricultural leaders from across the region will gather for the official Santa Barbara County kickoff field day, hosted by our friends at Solminer Wine in Los Olivos, CA. This marks an exciting new chapter for regenerative viticulture in our region—and we hope many of our peers will join us.
What Is the One Block Challenge?
The One Block Challenge (1BC) invites growers to dedicate a portion of their vineyard—whether one row or several acres—to testing and implementing regenerative practices. Participants commit to adopting at least three regenerative techniques, such as:
Cover cropping
Livestock integration
Compost application
Reduced tillage
Eliminating systemic herbicides
Growers then track changes using simple field observations like water infiltration, soil compaction, and biology counts. The goal isn’t certification. It’s learning, sharing results, and building confidence in practices that regenerate land over time.
As journalist Matt Kettmann recently wrote, regenerative agriculture has moved from a fringe idea to a defining conversation in modern viticulture. While “regenerative” can sometimes be loosely defined, initiatives like the One Block Challenge bring structure, accountability, and community to that momentum—transforming good intentions into measurable progress.
Why This Matters to Groundstar
At Groundstar, regenerative farming isn’t a trend. It’s the foundation of how we steward this land—for today’s community and for generations to come. Through living soils, biodiversity, thoughtful grazing, and long-term ecosystem planning, we strive to farm in ways that give back more than they take.
Participating in the One Block Challenge aligns directly with our mission: to demonstrate that regenerative practices are not only environmentally responsible, but economically viable and culturally meaningful. When growers experiment together, share outcomes openly, and support one another, real change becomes possible.
Santa Barbara County One Block Challenge™ Field Day #1
The first Santa Barbara County One Block Challenge field day takes place:
Thursday, February 26 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Los Olivos (location shared upon registration)
There is no cost to participate, and all interested vineyard owners and managers are welcome.
We encourage our fellow growers, partners, and neighbors to attend, learn, and consider joining the challenge. Whether you’re just beginning your regenerative journey or deepening an existing practice, your participation strengthens the collective impact.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/santa-barbara-one-block-challengetm-field-day-1-tickets-1980987660419
Together, we can help shape a more resilient, transparent, and regenerative future for Santa Barbara County winegrowing—one block at a time.
