Overview

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (9 - 11am)
Almost Famous Wine Company
2271 S Vasco Rd Unit D
Livermore, CA 94550

Days Until

2. Vineyard Decommissioning & Abandoned Vineyard Risks

We are pleased to invite you to the next event of the Livermore Viticulture Education Series 2026, focused on vineyard decommissioning, aka mothballing, and the management implications of abandoned vineyards in commercial production areas.

This session is designed to provide practical, field-relevant guidance on how to successfully take vineyards out of production while minimizing agronomic, economic, and regional pest and disease risks, with a focus on challenges currently affecting the Livermore Valley.

Featured Presentation — Dr. Chris Chen (UCCE Sonoma County)
“Vineyard Mothballing: Strategies for Successfully Taking Vineyards Out of Production”

Dr. Chen will deliver a dedicated, in-depth talk centered on real-world mothballing strategies, drawing from hands-on regional experience. His presentation will cover:

Decision frameworks for temporary vs. permanent shutdown
Operational steps to stabilize a vineyard during non-production periods
Risk mitigation for pests, diseases, and invasive weeds
Infrastructure, irrigation, and soil management considerations
Long-term land-use planning and reactivation pathways

Event Highlights:

Vineyard Decommissioning Fundamentals
Key considerations when deciding to remove or idle a vineyard, including timing, economics, and contractual or regulatory aspects.

Risks from Abandoned Vineyards
How unmanaged blocks can become reservoirs for pests, diseases, and weeds, and the potential impacts on neighboring vineyards and regional biosecurity.

Why Attend?

This session will equip you with actionable strategies for safely taking vineyards out of production, while Dr. Chen’s featured presentation provides a rare, practice-oriented deep dive into mothballing methods that can protect both your operation and the surrounding viticultural landscape.

We look forward to seeing you there!