New Benchmarking for Vineyard Budget Success: Insights and Practical Applications
January 28, 2026
1:00 pm - 2:45 pm
New Benchmarking for Vineyard Budget Success: Insights and Practical Applications
This two-part session begins with Dr. Sumner presenting comprehensive financial benchmarking reports for the North Coast, North Valley, and Central Coast growing regions. Attendees will gain valuable insights, and a deeper understanding of the true costs associated with grape growing in these key areas.
The second segment features a panel of C-suite executives sharing practical insights on the vineyard budget process and its real-world application. Attendees will learn how to effectively utilize benchmarking data to develop and refine budgets, manage costs, and align with target pricing and quality expectations across diverse regions and market segments.
Together, these sessions will equip participants with the tools to optimize vineyard economics and enhance long-term profitability.
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Moderator
Randy Heinzen
Vineyard Professional Services, Inc., California
Sessions:
New Benchmarking for Vineyard Budget Success: Insights and Practical Applications
Randy Heinzen is the owner of Vineyard Professional Services (VPS), a farm management company operating across the Central Coast of California and based in Paso Robles.
Before becoming President of VPS, Randy farmed for Beckstoffer Vineyards Napa Valley, and prior to that was the Director of Vineyard Operations at Saintsbury Winery. Beyond being an ASFMRA Accredited Farm Manager, his educational background includes studying Viticulture at the University of Adelaide, earning a degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Winery Business Management Certificates from Sonoma State and UC Davis.
Randy’s commitment is demonstrated through involvement in a number of organizations. He serves as an At-Large Board Member of the National Grape Research Alliance, Treasurer of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, Board President of the CDFA Pierce’s Disease and Glassywing Sharpshooter Commission, and appointee to the AgWest Local Area Committee (Coastal Region). His leadership contributions were recognized recently as CAWG’s 2025 Wine Industry Leader of the Year.
Outside of work, Randy and his family lead full lives engaged in local activities from athletics to agricultural pursuits. Randy and his wife, vineyard Realtor Jenny Heinzen, contribute as animal haulers and sports coaches, while their children assist in running the family vineyard and businesses.
Speakers
Craig Ledbetter
Vino Farms, LLC, California
Sessions:
New Benchmarking for Vineyard Budget Success: Insights and Practical Applications
Craig Ledbetter graduated from California State University, Fresno; with a BS in Agriculture Economics. He is the part of the third generation that has joined Vino Farms, LLC, and the fourth generation in California farming.
Craig joined Vino Farms, Inc May 1st, 2006 as Vice President of Sales. While he manages the day-to-day operations of the family and clients 5300 acres of vineyards in Lodi, he also handles all winery relations and grape sales for Lodi and Paso Robles areas. He is part of the G3 generation that operates roughly 16,000 acres of vineyards throughout CA. He is also closely tied to several of Vino Farms large clients which requires him to travel the state.
Daniel Sumner
University of California, Davis
Sessions:
New Benchmarking for Vineyard Budget Success: Insights and Practical Applications
Daniel A. Sumner is the Frank H. Buck Jr. Distinguished Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis. He is also the director of the University of California Giannini Foundations for Agricultural Economics and for about 25 years was the director of the University of California Agricultural Issues Center. For many years Sumner has taught “The Economics of Agricultural Sustainability” to a diverse group of undergraduates. He also teaches “Agricultural Economics” to graduate students.
Sumner’s academic research, teaching, and outreach have concentrated on challenges facing farms, agribusinesses, and industries. He studies cost and supply conditions for farms and agricultural industries, farm product demand tied to farm-based attributes, and competition among firms, regions, and industries. Much of his research has focused on international trade and government subsidy and regulatory policy. He was honored with the award for policy contribution and is a fellow of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. In 2022 he was recognized with the annual distinguished faculty award from the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Before returning to California in 1993, Sumner was a senior economist at President Reagan’s Council of Economic Advisers and was the Assistant Secretary for Economics at USDA, appointed by President George H.W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. In that role, Sumner led economic policy analysis and research, statistical services, and commodity outlook at USDA, with oversight responsibilities for USDA’s professional economists and statisticians. Sumner earned his Ph.D. in economics, with specialty fields in agricultural and labor economics from the University of Chicago, an MS in economics from Michigan State, and his BS in agricultural management from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. A native of Suisun Valley in Solano County California, Sumner grew up on a fruit farm and was active in 4-H and FFA.
Kara Maraden
Foley Family Farms, California
Sessions:
New Benchmarking for Vineyard Budget Success: Insights and Practical Applications
To be announced.
Tim Kensinger
AgWest Farm Credit, California
Sessions:
New Benchmarking for Vineyard Budget Success: Insights and Practical Applications
Tim Kensinger is a Sr. Vice President at AgWest Farm Credit Services in Paso Robles, CA with over 20 years of experience in vineyard and winery lending. He leads a team of Relationship Managers with a focus on the vineyard and winery industry along the Central Coast of California. He has had the privilege of working with vintners to finance vineyard developments throughout the state over the past two decades. He is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and Pacific Coast Banking School.