Pause or Proceed – Evaluating the Future of Your Vineyard
January 27, 2026
9:15 am - 10:45 am
Pause or Proceed – Evaluating the Future of Your Vineyard
Current industry conditions are causing growers to evaluate every block they farm to determine economic viability. For blocks that will not produce an economic return, there are several options to consider including minimal farming of blocks, “mothballing” of blocks, the strategy of “cut and retain” for block renovation, and removal of blocks. Practices associated with each of these options will be discussed as well as the impact of these practices on vine physiology and future productivity. The goal is to provide information that will assist growers in their decision-making process.
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Moderator
Norm Peters
Silver Oak, California
Sessions:
Norm Peters
Director of Vineyard Operations
Silver Oak
Norm Peters is Director of Vineyard Operations at Silver Oak Wine Cellars, where he oversees estate farming for the portfolio—Silver Oak, Twomey, OVID Napa Valley, and Timeless Napa Valley in California, plus Prince Hill Vineyards in Oregon. Never far from a pair of dusty boots, Norm’s experience spans 24 harvests, and he’s devoted to the art and science of growing exceptional wine grapes.
He entered the wine industry on an unconventional path, leaving a career as a vice principal and educator on assignment to run a former boss’s 100-acre vineyard and winery. He went on to serve as Winemaker and then Director of Winemaking at California Cellars. At The Wine Group, he worked as a Grower Representative, purchasing fruit and managing vineyard quality across Lodi, Clarksburg, Sonoma, and Livermore while collaborating with more than 60 growers. Drawn back to the pressures and rewards of full-time farming, he became Director of Central Valley Vineyard Operations at Trinchero Family Estates (Sutter Home) for four harvests before finding his home at Silver Oak.
Norm holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California.
Speakers
Larry Bettiga
University of California Cooperative Extension, Monterey County
Sessions:
To be announced.
Tyler Klick
Redwood Empire Vineyard Management, California
Sessions:
Tyler is currently the Vice-President/Partner and Viticulturist at Redwood Empire Vineyard Management. He first joined Redwood Empire Vineyard Management in 1997 while attending U.C. Davis and became a partner in 2006. Tyler earned his B.S. in Viticulture and Enology from U.C. Davis in 2000, as well as a B.S. in Health Science from St. Mary’s College in 1997.
Among other responsibilities, he oversees the farming of approximately 2,500 vineyard acres in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Marin Counties. Tyler is currently serving as the vice chair at the Sonoma County Winegrowers and has previously served on the Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group for several years.
Tyler has received several awards, including Young Farmer of the Year in 2013, Excellence in Viticulture by the Sonoma County Wine Growers in 2024. Tyler also completed the pilot UC Climate Stewardship certificate program in 2021. In 2011, Tyler led Redwood Empire Vineyard Management to become the 1st third-party operator to be CSWA Sustainability Certified in CA. Tyler has also been serving on the American Vineyard Foundation board for 10 years.
Luke Pedotti
Results Partners, Oregon
Sessions:
To be announced.
Brad Peterson
Silver Oak, California
Sessions:
To be announced.