12 Dec 2025
S3E9: Farming Philosophies - Regeneration
Climate change is threatening the world's great vineyards and the beautiful wines they produce. But can farming vines and drinking wine actually reverse these effects?
Regenerative farming is a ray of hope for the agricultural industry that promises a way to feed the masses without bringing down the house in the process. And the key to saving the world is right beneath our feet: soil.
Our final episode of Season 3: Farming for Terroir peels back the layers of regenerative farming, soil health, and the future of our planet as we know it. No big deal.
We're joined in this discussion by some of the greatest minds in the business, including the team at the first ever certified Regenerative Organic vineyard in the world, Tablas Creek, sommelier and friend Raj Vaidya (https://www.rajvine.com), farming super-fan Paul Wasserman (https://www.beckywasserman.com), and some of the most inspirational producers we know including Cyril Courvoisier, Chiara Pepe (https://www.emidiopepe.com), and Chisa Bize.
Expect a healthy dose of soil science – and lots of baby lambs!
Brenna also announces the start of her new wine club: The Single Vineyard Collective – a collaboration with the incomparable NYC retailer, Leon & Son. It's the most earth-focused wine club on earth. Go HERE to join!
Thank you so much for joining us on this incredible journey of farming and terroir this season. We are so happy to have you along for the ride. Cheers!
Sponsors
This episode is brought to you by the incredibly thoughtful team at Becky Wasserman and Company, the inspirational farmers at Tablas Creek Vineyard, and the education-obsessed importers at Lone Wolf Imports.
Thank you to our guests: Cyril Courvoisier, Paul Wasserman, Raj Vaidya, Jason Haas, Erin Mason, Chiara Pepe, Chisa Bize, and Austin Collins.
Thank you, as always, to our grand cru patrons Steven and Amy Lipin.
If you liked this episode, please share it and give us a review–it really does make a difference!
This season wouldn't be possible without the support from all of you!
Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about this season (https://www.roadsideterroir.com/season-3), this epiosde, and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW by staying in touch, donating, sponsoring, or becoming a Roadside Insider or substack subscriber. Insiders get access to extended interviews, maps, photos, and more–including invitations to events and travel opportunities to explore terroirs around the world with us.
Credits
Roadside Terroir is hosted and produced by Brenna Quigley
Sound engineering, original music and sound design by Jeff Alvarez
Research, writing, and hosting support by Paul Knittel
With special thanks to Clare Shaheen and Esa Eslami.
Resources and Recommendations
Books
Jamie Goode (2023): The New Viticulture. The Science of Growing Grapes for Wine.
Jeff Lowenfels & Wayne Lewis (2010): Teaming with Microbes. The Organic Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web.
Toby Hemenway (2001): Gaia's Garden. A Guide to Homescale Permaculture.
Robin Wall Kimmerer (2013): Braiding Sweetgrass
Audio
We recommend listening to literally anything the great Mimi Casteel has to say, here are some of our favorites:
The Intellectual Agrarian
Ungrafted
I'll Drink To That
Online Resources
The Regenerative Organic Alliance (https://regenorganic.org/)
The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (https://regenerativeviticulture.org)
Napa Green – Carbon Farm Plan: Viader Vineyard
Citations and (even further) reading
Agroforestry systems may play vital role in mitigating climate change
Regenerative agriculture should anchor EU green, farming and economic policies, says EESC
Regenerative Agriculture and Related Food Product Labeling and Marketing Claims
Soil Carbon Sequestration: Myths, Realities, and the Biden Administration's Proposals
Why Regenerative Organic?
Site characteristics determine the effectiveness of tillage and cover crops on the net ecosystem carbon balance in California vineyard agroecosystems
Conservation Tillage of Cover Crops in Vineyard Soils to Improve Carbon Sequestration and Diminish Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Carbon footprint assessment on a mature vineyard
Definition of regenerative agriculture in a research briefing for the UK parliament, June 2025
Overview of the 5 main types of agroforestry systems by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Definition of agroforestry by the EURAF (European Agroforestry Federation)
