214: Patrick Riggs - Jack Neal & Son Vineyard Managment

In this episode, viticulturist Patrick Riggs dives deep into the realities of organic farming in Napa Valley. We unpack what it takes to convert vineyards from conventional to organic, from soil testing and rethinking fertilizer programs to choosing equipment for under‑vine weed control and managing more volatile, season‑driven budgets. Patrick explains how tools and machinery for cultivation have evolved, how he approaches weed control without herbicides, and why organic systems demand a more diagnostic, problem‑solving mindset. Patrick also details integrated strategies for managing vine mealybug organically—combining year‑round mating disruption, biological controls like parasitic wasps and mealybug destroyers, and very selective use of organic sprays. From there, we explore floor management, soil moisture dynamics, and irrigation strategy in drought years: when to irrigate, how to prioritize limited water, why shaded interior leaves can be "water hogs," and how canopy design and trellis choices are shifting to protect fruit in a hotter, drier future. We close with newer tools like Surround (kaolin clay), spore trapping for mildew risk, updated organic nematode approaches, and even a duck‑powered experiment to clean a reservoir overrun with Azolla.