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Regenerative Viticulture: Farming for the Future
At Groundstar Vineyard, we believe true terroir begins beneath our feet.
Regenerative viticulture is our guiding light — a holistic way of farming that goes beyond “sustainable” to ask:
How can viticulture become a force for renewal?
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Rooted in soil, soul, and science, this approach invites us to nurture a thriving ecosystem — where vines, microbes, animals, and people coexist in balance. When the vineyard thrives, the wines reflect that vitality, clarity, and sense of place.
A Living Journey
Our commitment to regenerative viticulture is both practical and philosophical — a belief that healthier soils create healthier vines, communities, and wines.
Every vine, root, and cover crop at Groundstar is part of this living promise: to nurture, revitalize and restore the land that sustains us.
What is Regenerative Viticulture?
Regenerative viticulture is a forward-thinking approach to growing wine grapes that views the vineyard as a living, breathing ecosystem.
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According to the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, it is “more than a method — it’s a mindset” that focuses on restoring soil health, fostering biodiversity, and working in harmony with natural systems.
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Unlike conventional or even organic farming, regenerative viticulture emphasizes outcomes — living soil, carbon capture, clean water, biodiversity, and community well-being — rather than simply avoiding certain inputs.
It’s about giving more than we take.
Key Principles
1. Soil Health First
Everything begins with living soil. We promote rich microbial life, increase organic matter, avoid compaction, and build strong root systems — the foundation of resilient vines and expressive wines. → Healthy soils grow soulful wines.
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2. Minimize Disturbance + Keep It Covered
We limit tillage to protect fragile soil structure, plant cover crops between rows, and maintain living roots year-round to prevent erosion, regulate temperature, and feed soil life.
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3. Biodiversity Above and Below Ground
We encourage native plants, pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife corridors that strengthen natural balance. Every creature plays a role in the vineyard’s story.
4. Integrate Animals + Natural Cycles
Where possible, we invite sheep and other animals to graze the vines — naturally managing vegetation, fertilizing the soil, and reducing mechanical passes. Nature becomes our collaborator.
5. Water Wisdom + Carbon Capture
Our soils are our sponges. By improving water-holding capacity and deepening root systems, we reduce irrigation needs and sequester carbon in the process.
6. Work with Nature, Not Against It
Each vineyard is a living landscape. We farm with slope, aspect, wind, and wildlife in mind — designing for long-term resilience in a changing climate.
7. Continuous Improvement + Outcome Focus
Regeneration is a journey, not a checklist. We track soil health, biodiversity, and carbon metrics to measure progress and continually evolve.
“When you farm in service of life, nature responds with abundance — and the wines tell the tale."
— Chiara Shannon, Groundstar Vineyard
Our Stewardship Practices
A living vineyard is more than rows of vines — it’s a thriving ecosystem.
Here’s how we cultivate vitality from the ground up at Groundstar Vineyard in California's Sta. Rita Hills.
Biodynamic Traditions
Honoring our vineyard's roots in biodynamic farming, we weave biodynamic practices into our regenerative philosophy — working with natural rhythms and preparations that enliven the soil and support resilient vines in harmony with the forces that influence our land.
Compost & Soil Building
We return organic matter to the soil through composting and mulching, feeding a rich web of life underground.
→ Healthy soil = resilient vines.
Cover Crops
Seasonal cover crops of legumes, grasses, and wildflowers protect against erosion, build organic matter, fix nitrogen, and attract pollinators.
Habitat Corridors
Wildlife strips and native plantings invite beneficial insects, birds, and pollinators to share the vineyard, restoring ecological balance.
Carbon Sequestration
Through living roots, compost, and perennial plantings, we capture and store atmospheric carbon — turning the vineyard into a living carbon sink.
Water Stewardship
Enhanced soil organic matter and deep-root systems increase the vineyard’s water-holding capacity, reducing irrigation needs.
Observation & Continuous Learning
Regeneration is a journey, not a formula. We monitor soil health, biodiversity, and vine vitality, adjusting practices with the rhythm of the land.
Grazing Animals
Grazing sheep, goats and chickens helps manage groundcover, fertilize naturally, and reduce tractor passes — nurturing both soil and soul.
People, Community & Joy
We foster connection through education, shared meals, hands-on experiences, and partnerships rooted in curiosity, care and joy.
→ Healthy communities cultivate thriving landscapes.
"At Groundstar, we are looking beyond fence lines to cultivate a living example of how grape growing and ecology can thrive."
— Joseph Brent, Groundstar Vineyard