Viticulture & Safety Best Practices and Resources
The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation provides a collection of resources to support vineyard management, environmental stewardship, and the well-being of farmworkers. These tools are designed to equip vineyard professionals and employers with essential information on agricultural practices, safety protocols, environmental conservation, and more.
From regulatory guidance provided by the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner to field-specific insights from the University of California Cooperative Extension, these resources cover a broad range of viticultural needs. The goal is to foster a healthy, productive, and sustainable work environment in Napa Valley's vineyards.
Explore each section below for targeted information, best practices, and support services available to the Napa County viticulture community.
Viticulture & Safety Best Practices
In collaboration with the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, videos and documents on best wine practices in Spanish and English were developed to provide instructional guides highlighting agricultural best practices for Napa County farmworkers.
Soil Health Report
UC Davis’ Soil Health and Biodiversity Lab and the North Coast Soil Health Hub conducted independent studies across 62 Napa Valley vineyards to assess soil health variability. In partnership with UC Davis, the Napa RCD, and the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, a guide was developed to assist growers in collecting and managing soil samples. The joint study results are detailed in the report.
Background: 2020 Vineyard Trials
In 2020, NVG collaborated with a team of California soil scientists and extension agents, led by Dr. Cristina Lazcano, PhD, from UC Davis, to submit a 3-to 5-year vineyard trial project to investigate soil health and the potential for carbon sequestration in Napa Valley soils. Our ultimate goal is to develop tangible metrics for what constitutes a “healthy soil” for premium wine grapes. As we learn, we aim to educate our members and all growers on the practices that have the most significant impact on soil health, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction in our vineyards.
Project Objectives
The first step is to develop a baseline of soil health attributes in relation to current vineyard management, identify which attributes are most relevant to wine grape production, and gain insight into growers’ current state of knowledge and decision-making related to soil health. Focusing on Napa as an experimental area, the project proposes to:
-(i) establish a baseline of soil health indicators and disseminate information on their variability within the various Napa Valley soil types
-(ii) examine grower perception and comprehension of these indicators and the desired qualities of a healthy soil relative to production goals by using a combination of social and biophysical measurements
-(iii) form ‘soil health regions’ that will be integrated with guidelines to inform growers on the possible outcomes of healthy soil practices depending on the soil type.
A Special Thanks
A special thanks to Dr. Kristin Lowe, Co-Chair NVG Member Services Committee, and Dr. Cristina Lazcano for their work on the development of this timely and important research project, and to all of our NVG Grower members who have agreed to participate in the study.
Videos de Mejores Prácticas
En colaboración con los Napa Valley Grapegrowers se elaboró una serie de vídeos y documentos sobre las mejores prácticas vitivinícolas en español para ofrecer un conjunto de guías instructivas que destacan las buenas prácticas agrícolas para muchos de los principales acontecimientos vitivinícolas que se producen a lo largo de la temporada de cultivo.
Hongo Botrytis
Cultivos de cobertura
Chicharritas
Oídio (mildew)
Estructura del suelo: la labranza
Poda de caña
Raleo de racimos
Deshoje
Estructura del suelo: cómo Identificarla
Soca (desbrote)
Poda de cordón y espuelas
Control de erosión
Ácaros
Estructura del suelo:
evaluación y preparación para la labranza
Control de malezas y gestión del suelo bajo la hilera
Best Practice Videos in English
Collaborating with the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, a series of English-language videos on best vineyard practices were developed to provide instructional guides highlighting agricultural best practices for Napa County farmworkers.
Botrytis
Cover Crop
Leafhoppers
Powdery Mildew
Soil Structure: Tillage
Cane Pruning
Crop Thinning
Botrytis
Leafing
Soil Structure: Identifying
Suckering
Cordon Spur Pruning
Erosion Control
Mites
Soil Structure: Testing & Preparing for Tillage
Under the Row Weed & Soil Management
Documentos de Mejores Prácticas
En colaboración con los Napa Valley Grapegrowers se elaboró una serie de vídeos y documentos sobre las mejores prácticas vitivinícolas en español para ofrecer un conjunto de guías instructivas que destacan las buenas prácticas agrícolas para muchos de los principales acontecimientos vitivinícolas que se producen a lo largo de la temporada de cultivo.
Viticulture & Safety Resources
Napa County Agricultural Commissioner
How to Prepare Fieldworkers for Inspection
Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD)
University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE)
Agricultural Operations
Health & Safety