From New Varieties to the Vineyard: A Morning with Dr. Michelle Moyer

What role could disease-resistant grape varieties play in the future of California winegrowing? At the 2026 Sustainable Ag Expo, growers will spend a morning exploring that question from the science behind modern grape varieties to what it takes to actually get them planted and managed in the vineyard.

The day starts with breakfast burritos and networking before headliner Dr. Michelle Moyer of Washington State University takes the stage. Her presentation will be followed by a panel bringing together perspectives from grape breeding and research, the nursery, and the vineyard.

Breakfast Before the Big Questions

The day starts at 7:00 AM with coffee, breakfast burritos, and time to connect before seminars and the trade show get underway.

Breakfast burritos are sponsored by JB Dewar.

Then at 8:00 AM, Dr. Michelle Moyer will present Modern Grape Varieties and Their Role in Sustainable Farming.

Modern grape varieties, including disease-resistant hybrids, could create new opportunities to reduce disease pressure and pesticide use. But adopting them also means reconsidering some of the assumptions behind traditional vineyard disease management.

Dr. Moyer will explore what defines a modern grape variety, how these varieties are developed, and how managing disease in them could challenge current approaches to sustainable viticulture.

The session is approved for 0.5 DPR - Other; 1 CCA - Soil & Water Management and is sponsored by Beckstoffer Vineyards.

From Nursery to Vineyard

At 9:00 AM, the conversation moves from the science to what happens when new varieties make their way into commercial vineyards.

Modern Grape Varieties: From Nursery to Vineyard brings together Kevin Judkins of Inland Desert Nursery, Dr. Michelle Moyer of Washington State University, and Adam Tolmach of The Ojai Vineyard.

The panel will explore modern grape varieties from multiple points along the path to adoption, giving growers a chance to hear perspectives from research, plant material production, and hands-on winegrowing.

Together, the two sessions offer a look at not only what's possible with modern grape varieties, but what it could take to put that potential into practice.

Continue the Conversation Over a Glass of Wine

And there’s another connection to the morning’s panel waiting at lunch!

From 12:00–1:00 PM, attendees can grab the provided lunch, explore the trade show, and taste wines from The Ojai Vineyard, where panelist Adam Tolmach brings his grower and winemaker perspective to the conversation around modern grape varieties.

The Sustainable Ag Expo will be held November 10–11, 2026, at the Madonna Expo Center in San Luis Obispo.

Learn more and register at SustainableAgExpo.org.

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