WEED MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT

Napa Green is the first sustainable winegrowing certification globally to require the phaseout of Roundup, and ultimately synthetic herbicides. When we looked for a roadmap and resources for going herbicide-free we didn’t find it all in one place, so we created this Weed Management Toolkit to support our Napa Green community and other perennial growers looking to cultivate healthier soils and regenerative farm systems.

Since Napa Green became an independent nonprofit in 2019, our goal has been to set the highest bar for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry. Our next-level Napa Green Vineyard program, launched in 2021, is unique in its whole-systems focus on: Social Justice, Regenerative Ag & Soil Health, Irrigation Efficiency, Forest Health, Climate-smart burning/alternatives, and Pesticides. 

While pesticide and herbicide use is just one element of a holistic approach to sustainable winegrowing and climate action leadership, this leadership matters to our families, our communities, and our customers. As a world-renowned winegrowing region, producing the premier agricultural product, we must leverage our powerful leadership platform to galvanize change locally and globally.  

Napa Green takes this bold stance for the health of the ecosystems and communities in which we farm, and for the health of the stewards whose careful management results in the finest wines in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions

herbicide-free cost Studies

Eliminating herbicides can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be, in fact, there is often a cost savings over time. Here are some real-world cost studies to show the practical pathway to going herbicide free. 

CASE STUDY I

Grgich Hills Estate
364 Vineyard Acres
Read More

CASE STUDY II

Spottswoode Estate
45 Vineyard Acres
Read More

CASE STUDY III

V. Sattui
29 Vineyard Acres
Read More

CASE STUDY IV

Dominus Estate
103 Vineyard Acres
Read More

CASE STUDY V

Estate Valley Floor
44 Vineyard Acres
Read More

CASE STUDY VI

Vineyard Management Co.
600+ Vineyard Acres
Read More

CASE STUDY VII

Estate Valley Floor
170 Vineyard Acres
Read More

CASE STUDY VIII

Estate Valley
~20 Vineyard Acres
Read More

CASE STUDY IX

Cain Vineyard
40+ Acres
Read More

Weed management tools

Wondering what weed management tools to try in your vineyard? This list was compiled assembled from members who have used these tools in the field. 

Clemens Weed Knife

Pros: Lower soil disturbance, no soil inversion. High ground speed. The frame can also support a ‘twister’ type mower for a pre-knife pass, or a french plow for deeper disturbance. Single- or double-sided.

Cons: Low level of disturbance means weeds can re-sprout depending on timing and soil moisture. Not great with heavy weed cover. Can either be one sided (lower efficency) or, on flat ground, can have a second side, but might require multiple passes.

Gramegna Power Harrow

Pros: Lower soil compaction than others. Effective in varying soil types. Can handle terraces. Head articulates to adjust for slope.

Cons: Single-sided, doesn’t do well with lots of rocks. Expensive and lots of maintenance required.

Calderoni Rotary Disk Harrow

Pros: Double-sided and efficient. Handles rocks well.

Cons: More compaction, especially on moist soil.

Pellenc Sunflower

Pros: Double-sided, lower number of passes. Limited soil disturbance.

Cons: Can cause soil compaction. Can require multiple passes due to lower termination efficacy.

Gearmore Spedovator

Pros: Low soil disturbance. Can handle tall weeds.

Cons:  Requires several passes: One to turn the soil/weeds and another to replace the soil on each side.

French Plow

Pros: Very effective at smothering weeds and preventing regrowth.

Cons:  Significant soil disturbance (inversion of the top layer). Possible compaction in wet soil. Long term use can displace topsoil. Single-sided.

Fischer TWISTER Mower

Pros: No soil disturbance. Fast groundspeed. Keeps living roots in the ground.

Cons: Does not kill herbaceous cover. Possible understory growth depending on timing.

Sheep

Pros: Ability to manage the entire vineyard floor, even steep, terraced, and tight rows, without fossil fuels. Increased nutrient cycling, as well as soil and vine health.

Cons: Require knowledgeable shepherds to be managed/rotated effectively. Small parcels are inefficient. Damage to vines and infrastructure is possible.

Organic (OMRI) Herbicides

Pros: Helpful as a foliar spray when the soil is too wet to cultivate. Reduces weed competition in unfavorable conditions

Cons: Organic herbicides do not match the effectiveness of synthetic herbicides, but are another tool in the weed management kit. They are ineffective once weeds have fully established root systems and can be expensive.

testimonials

"Regenerative practices are a proactive approach to farm health. If you’re healthy enough you don’t get sick – you’re able to fight off pests and disease. It’s a paradigm shift."
Ivo Jeramaz, Vice President of Vineyards & Production at Grgich Hills Estate
"We need to have a cultural shift in vineyard aesthetics. Is bare ground how we want to present our skill as farmers? Or cultivating life under our vines?"
Steve Matthiasson, Matthiasson Winery and Premiere Vit
"Regenerative farming starts with a mindset to build biological and human communities…On farm after farm the soil is naked, hungry, thirsty and running a fever."
Ray Archuleta, Certified Soil Scientist, Soil Science Society of America
"The Napa Green Vineyard certification provides growers a beneficial roadmap for continual improvement. The process lead Dominus Estate to measure our environmental impact and, since we can only change what we measure, has strengthened our methods for interacting with our site's vital resources: soils, water, flora, fauna and people. Ultimately, this certification improves the grower's relationship to the land and deeply informs farming decisions."
Tod Mostero, Director of Viticulture & Winemaking at Dominus Estate
"You don’t hear more stories about how farmers eliminate herbicides because usually they just decide to do it, and they don’t look back. The decision is the hardest part."
Mimi Casteel, Hope Well Wine
"Eliminating Roundup and other synthetic herbicides is a significant step towards more just, resilient agricultural communities and local ecosystems. A non-exhaustive list of the benefits: Farmworker health, Soil health, Ecosystem health, Community health, Consumer health, Consumer perception/Market demand, Visibility of Napa Valley and the wine industry."
Ben Mackie, Vineyard Progam Manager at Napa Green
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resources

If you have any other suggestions for tools or resources please send them to vineyard@napagreen.org. Consider joining our Regenerative Viticulture google group, and Newsletter mailing list for regular updates.

napagreen

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From soil to bottle - the leading sustainable wine growing certification program for Napa County Vineyards & Wineries.
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Biodiversity is essential for any resilient vineyard.

Join us on February 26, 2026 at @grgichhills American Canyon to learn how to integrate biodiversity within vineyard blocks.

Experts from @wildfarmalliance @monarchjointventure @napapastureprotein and @naparcd will be on hand to discuss all the various species that a vineyard can support.

Ticket link in bio.

#biodiversity #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture

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Biodiversity is essential for any resilient vineyard. Join us on February 26, 2026 at @grgichhills American Canyon to learn how to integrate biodiversity within vineyard blocks. Experts from @wildfarmalliance @monarchjointventure @napapastureprotein and @naparcd will be on hand to discuss all the various species that a vineyard can support. Ticket link in bio. #biodiversity #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture
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Learn how @closduval used Verallia lightweight glass to help reduce their environmental impact and meet their sustainability goals.

Read more at napagreen.org

#climateaction #lightenup

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Learn how @closduval used Verallia lightweight glass to help reduce their environmental impact and meet their sustainability goals. Read more at napagreen.org #climateaction #lightenup
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What a great #OneBlockChallenge first field day!

Not only was it a gorgeous day with a great community of people we also heard from some awesome speakers:
🍇 @cainethompson about the @regenerativeviticulture foundation and the implementation practices
🍇 Jordan Lonberg @coastalvineyardcare about continuous improvement and shifting the industry mindset
🍇 @soilrainandhope about the practical aspects of the regeneratives practices and how @napagreen and @naparcd can provide support
🍇 Dustin Owen @celaniwines about their their vineyard’s regenerative journey

Thanks to all who attended and to @celaniwines for hosting!

➡️ To learn more about regenerative vineyard practices or to enroll in either the One Block Challenge or Napa Green Vineyard certification, head to the links in our bio.

#regenerativeag #climateaction

Open post by napagreen with ID 18073947275123726
What a great #OneBlockChallenge first field day! Not only was it a gorgeous day with a great community of people we also heard from some awesome speakers: 🍇 @cainethompson about the @regenerativeviticulture foundation and the implementation practices 🍇 Jordan Lonberg @coastalvineyardcare about continuous improvement and shifting the industry mindset 🍇 @soilrainandhope about the practical aspects of the regeneratives practices and how @napagreen and @naparcd can provide support 🍇 Dustin Owen @celaniwines about their their vineyard’s regenerative journey Thanks to all who attended and to @celaniwines for hosting! ➡️ To learn more about regenerative vineyard practices or to enroll in either the One Block Challenge or Napa Green Vineyard certification, head to the links in our bio. #regenerativeag #climateaction
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It’s hard to believe it’s already been 3 years since @marisataylorwines joined our team, but time flies when you’re having fun (and wine)!

Join us in celebrating Marisa Taylor, who is an accomplished winemaker and sustainability leader with over two decades of experience in the wine industry, and also the Napa Green Winery Program Manager, where she partners with wineries across Napa Valley to advance meaningful environmental stewardship and sustainable winegrowing practices. 
 
Thank you for bringing your passion and positive energy to our team every day!

The team celebrated with our @napagreen certified #NapaNeighbors @rombauervineyards.

#winebusiness #womeninwine #sustainablewine

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It’s hard to believe it’s already been 3 years since @marisataylorwines joined our team, but time flies when you’re having fun (and wine)! Join us in celebrating Marisa Taylor, who is an accomplished winemaker and sustainability leader with over two decades of experience in the wine industry, and also the Napa Green Winery Program Manager, where she partners with wineries across Napa Valley to advance meaningful environmental stewardship and sustainable winegrowing practices.    Thank you for bringing your passion and positive energy to our team every day! The team celebrated with our @napagreen certified #NapaNeighbors @rombauervineyards. #winebusiness #womeninwine #sustainablewine
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Join us for the @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture #OneBlockChallenge first field day on February 12, 2026 from 10-12 @celaniwines.

This event is open to all winegrowers and vintners who are curious about regenerative viticulture but space is limited so register today at the link in our bio.

#soilhealth #regenerativeviticulture

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Join us for the @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture #OneBlockChallenge first field day on February 12, 2026 from 10-12 @celaniwines. This event is open to all winegrowers and vintners who are curious about regenerative viticulture but space is limited so register today at the link in our bio. #soilhealth #regenerativeviticulture
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Congratulations to @domainecarneros for receiving the @napachamberofcommerce Sustainable Business of the Year award presented by @mcecleanenergy.

Thank you for your leadership, innovation and dedication to sustainability and the community!

#greenbusiness #winebusiness #napagreencertified #napagreen

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Congratulations to @domainecarneros for receiving the @napachamberofcommerce Sustainable Business of the Year award presented by @mcecleanenergy. Thank you for your leadership, innovation and dedication to sustainability and the community! #greenbusiness #winebusiness #napagreencertified #napagreen
110 2

@antinorinapavalley family’s winemaking legacy spans over six centuries. To ensure that legacy continues, they have a deep commitment to sustainability and the care of the land for future generations.

Hear why Antinori is exploring the use of @hopenvironmental1965 soil compostable tie tape in the vineyard.

#regenerativevineyard #greenbusiness #sustainablewinery #greenpurchasing #landstewardship

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@antinorinapavalley family’s winemaking legacy spans over six centuries. To ensure that legacy continues, they have a deep commitment to sustainability and the care of the land for future generations. Hear why Antinori is exploring the use of @hopenvironmental1965 soil compostable tie tape in the vineyard. #regenerativevineyard #greenbusiness #sustainablewinery #greenpurchasing #landstewardship
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‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️

@mvino1 has spent her career in the wine business telling the unique stories of wineries and as a Sommelier and Vintner. Here she has created an itinerary that showcases a rich variety of regional efforts in the Stag’s Leap District, Oakville and northern St. Helena. Check it out to experience the whole systems, regenerative practices at each of these @napagreen certified wineries that are as essential and unique as the terroir we pride ourselves on here in Napa Valley.

📍 @chimneyrockwinery
📍 @bcellars
📍 @boeschenvineyards

Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.

#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary

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‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️ @mvino1 has spent her career in the wine business telling the unique stories of wineries and as a Sommelier and Vintner. Here she has created an itinerary that showcases a rich variety of regional efforts in the Stag’s Leap District, Oakville and northern St. Helena. Check it out to experience the whole systems, regenerative practices at each of these @napagreen certified wineries that are as essential and unique as the terroir we pride ourselves on here in Napa Valley. 📍 @chimneyrockwinery 📍 @bcellars 📍 @boeschenvineyards Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong. #winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
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We love working with @mcecleanenergy to not only help you save energy but also money!

Hear from Dominus Estate’s Tod Mostero to hear how much they saved from a lighting change then connect with the Napa Green or MCE team to learn more.

🎥 @robot_productions

#energyefficiency #climateaction #sustainablebusiness #greenbusiness #sustainablewine

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We love working with @mcecleanenergy to not only help you save energy but also money! Hear from Dominus Estate’s Tod Mostero to hear how much they saved from a lighting change then connect with the Napa Green or MCE team to learn more. 🎥 @robot_productions #energyefficiency #climateaction #sustainablebusiness #greenbusiness #sustainablewine
25 3

‼️Save this Itinerary‼️

Check out these stunning @napagreen certified wineries in this itinerary from @evyncam that takes you from the bay to the forest to explore the wide range of ecosystems that Napa Valley has to explore.

📍 @bouchaine_vineyards
📍 @ruddestate
📍 @seaveyvineyard

Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.

#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary

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‼️Save this Itinerary‼️ Check out these stunning @napagreen certified wineries in this itinerary from @evyncam that takes you from the bay to the forest to explore the wide range of ecosystems that Napa Valley has to explore. 📍 @bouchaine_vineyards 📍 @ruddestate 📍 @seaveyvineyard Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong. #winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
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Find out what being @napagreen certified means to @joshwidaman and the team @pineridgewine, then go for a visit and taste the love in every bottle!

#sustainablewine #regenerativeviticulture #winetasting

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Find out what being @napagreen certified means to @joshwidaman and the team @pineridgewine, then go for a visit and taste the love in every bottle! #sustainablewine #regenerativeviticulture #winetasting
54 2

‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️

Check out this itinerary by @danpetroski of participating @napagreen wineries and vineyards that contribute to the long-term health of our land and ensure that Napa Valley remains a thriving and beautiful region for future generations.

📍 @larkmeadvineyards
📍 @silveroakcellars
📍 @vsattui

Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.

#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary

Open post by napagreen with ID 17910541287274704
‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️ Check out this itinerary by @danpetroski of participating @napagreen wineries and vineyards that contribute to the long-term health of our land and ensure that Napa Valley remains a thriving and beautiful region for future generations. 📍 @larkmeadvineyards 📍 @silveroakcellars 📍 @vsattui Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong. #winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
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