In fall 2024, members of the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association (SCMWA) and the Viticultural Association of Santa Cruz Mountains (VASCM) were surveyed on issues related to wine grape grower and winery research needs for the Santa Cruz Mountains American Viticultural Area (AVA). The survey aimed to understand current challenges and research needs of those in the wine industry, as well as interest in partnering with UC Santa Cruz researchers. We intend to use these survey results to inform development of an organic viticulture initiative at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
The UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology is exploring the development of an organic vineyard and, potentially, a campus-linked winery. These sites would allow for hands-on educational experiences and applied research to support development of efficient and sustainable organic viticulture techniques in coastal vineyards.
The survey identified strong interest from respondents to have UC Santa Cruz engage in viticulture research and extension. Based on the long history of agroecology and organic farming on the campus through the Center for Agroecology, and because a majority of survey respondents reported farming organically, it seems appropriate for a focus on organic viticulture and how agroecology as a discipline of practice could inform it.