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• Shenandoah Valley - Appalachian Highlands Road Trip Part 1: The Winery at Kindred Pointe

  Posted: 2026-07-30 10:00

  

  Recently I spent a couple days traveling the backroads of the Shenandoah Valley into the Appalachian Highlands visiting as many craft beverage establishments as possible. This endeavor included four wineries in the Shenandoah Valley, two breweries in the Appalachian Highlands, and a couple cider houses within both regions. Here's the story. 

  The Shenandoah Valley is a 140–150 mile long and 25 miles wide geographic corridor located in western Virginia and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.  It is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains and to the west by the Allegheny Mountains. Plus, the valley floor is bisected by Massanutten Mountain, a 50-mile ridge that splits the valley into sub-valleys and separates the north and south forks of the Shenandoah River.  The region features karst topography with limestone bedrock that creates fertile soil, sinkholes, and extensive cave systems.

  Grape growing in the Shenandoah Valley is shaped by the region’s position between the Allegheny Mountains and the Blue Ridge. These ranges create a rain shadow that results in lower annual precipitation compared to other parts of Virginia. Lower humidity reduces disease pressure, which can allow growers to extend the growing season when conditions permit. Vineyard elevations commonly range from roughly 900 to 1,500 feet, contributing to cooler nighttime temperatures. Soils in the area include limestone, shale, and loam, which drain efficiently and support varieties that benefit from moderate fertility and consistent water management. Like the rest of the Commonwealth, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc are popularly planted grapes, but the cooler climate is also suitable for Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino, Seyval Blanc, and late‑ripening vinifera varieties such as Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

  Our first stop of this trip was at The Winery at Kindred Pointe which sits within the central agricultural landscape of the Shenandoah Valley. The winery operates on a property that originally functioned as an equestrian farm. The transition to grape growing began in the early 2010s, when the owners planted varieties suited to the conditions of the region. The tasting room and surrounding structures retain elements of the site’s earlier use, including the horse imagery that appears on several wine labels. The winery produces small quantities of wine from estate fruit and from growers within the Shenandoah Valley American Viticultural Area.

  The tasting flight offered at Kindred Pointe shows how they leverage the history and regional strengths of the Valley. We started with the Saving the Edinburg Mill ($32) , a blend of Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc, and Dazzle, that references the preservation of the historic pre-civil war era mill. For those like us newly introduced to the Dazzle grape, it was developed by the University of Arkansas that they describe as "floral and fruity with herbal and spicy aromas".  Expect to enjoy peaches and other lively stone fruit while admiring the artwork. 

  We then moved on to a pair of Seyval Blanc wines starting with the stainless steel 2022 Seyval Blanc ($28). The is a fresh grapefruit forward wine with fantastic acidity. In contrast, the 2021 Seyval Blanc Skins ($28) was fermented on the skins which adds texture, tannin, and deeper color, while providing a more savory dimension that differs from the stainless‑steel style. 

  Turning to reds, Petit Verdot is a major focus appeared in two vintages and a blend. The 2019 Petit Verdot French ($35) is aged 36 months in French oak and shows how long aging softens tannins and integrates dark fruit flavors. The velvety fruit is layered with soft vanilla and earthy characters. The 2020 Petit Verdot ($32) offers a comparison shaped by both the vintage and aging in American oak for the same 36 month period. This version is spicier, not as velvety, and with closer to smokey cedar. The final wine wine to discuss is their 2021 Hungarian Blend ($38), an interesting and unique blend of equal parts Chambourcin, Petit Verdot, and Dornfelder.  The typical Chambourcin profile is hidden as the 28 months in Hungarian oak and one year bottle aging softens the grapiness and allow the black fruit characters of the other two grapes to dominate.  This is a savory fire pit sipper. 

  But instead of purchasing the Hungarian Blend I came home on a hunch with their single varietal 2021 Dornfelder ($36) that was aged for 36 months in new Hungarian oak. Check back to see if that was a good all. 

• What are the Various Organic, Biodynamic, and Regenerative Certifications?

  Posted: 2026-07-27 07:00

  

  
  

  Growers and consumers navigate a complex ecosystem of agricultural certifications -- each with its own standards, inspection protocols, and philosophical foundations. What does each certification mean? How do they differ? Some focus strictly on inputs, others on ecological outcomes, and even more incorporate social or animal‑welfare criteria. What follows is an overview of the major certifications used in organic, biodynamic, and regenerative agriculture.

  
  

  Overview

  Program	Scope & Focus	Verification Model	Core Principles
  USDA Organic	National organic standard for crops & livestock	Third‑party audit under federal regulation	No synthetic fertilizers/pesticides, no GMOs, 3‑year transition
  Certified Naturally Grown	Community‑based alternative to USDA Organic	Peer review inspections	Small‑farm oriented; aligns closely with USDA Organic rules
  Real Organic Project	Add‑on label reinforcing soil‑based organic farming	Annual inspection	Soil‑grown crops; excludes hydroponics; pasture‑based livestock
  Demeter Biodynamic	Whole‑farm ecological system	Third‑party audit	Biodiversity, closed nutrient cycles, biodynamic preparations
  A Greener World – Regenerative Certified	Regenerative outcomes across crop & livestock systems	Third‑party audit	Soil health, biodiversity, measurable ecological improvement
  Soil & Climate Initiative	Outcome‑based regenerative verification	Annual measurement & reporting	Continuous improvement in soil function & climate impact
  Regenerative Organic Certified (ROA)	Regenerative organic agriculture	Tiered certification (Bronze–Gold)	Soil health, animal welfare, social fairness
  Regenified™	Regenerative performance standard	Tiered verification (Levels 1–6)	Six soil‑health principles; whole‑system outcomes
  Soil Regen	Regenerative agronomy consulting & verification	Data‑driven assessment	Soil testing, biological improvement, farmer profitability
  Regenerative Viticulture Foundation	Regenerative grape‑growing & education	Voluntary participation	Soil restoration, biodiversity, One Block Challenge™
  Land to Market	Regenerative sourcing for food, fiber & leather	Outcome-based verification using Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV)	Soil health, biodiversity, ecosystem function measured annually
  Fibershed Climate Beneficial™	Regenerative fiber & textile systems	Practices verified through carbon‑farm planning	Soil carbon drawdown, climate‑positive land stewardship
  Ethos™	Regenerative supply‑chain transparency	Digital verification & traceability platform	Outcome tracking, soil‑health metrics, producer‑level data integrity

  
  

  Organic Certifications

  

  USDA Organic (National Organic Program)

  The USDA Organic seal represents the United States’ federal regulatory standard for organic production. It prohibits synthetic fertilizers, most synthetic pesticides, sewage‑sludge‑based amendments, and genetically modified organisms. Land must undergo a three‑year transition period before certification. Farms maintain an Organic System Plan (OSP) and undergo annual third‑party inspections.

  
  

  USDA Transitional Organic

  This designation supports farms during the required three‑year transition to full USDA Organic status. It does not permit organic labeling on products but verifies that land is under compliant organic management. Transitional certification helps growers communicate progress to buyers and lenders.

  

  
  Certified Naturally Grown (CNG)

  CNG is a peer‑reviewed alternative to USDA Organic designed for small, direct‑market farms. Standards closely mirror USDA Organic, but inspections are conducted by fellow farmers rather than accredited auditors. CNG emphasizes transparency and community‑based verification.

  
  

  
  

  

  Real Organic Project (ROP)
  

  ROP is an add‑on label for USDA‑certified farms that meet additional soil‑based requirements. It excludes hydroponic production and confinement livestock systems, reinforcing traditional organic principles centered on soil health and ecological integration.

  
  

  
  

   

  
  

  Biodynamic Certification

  

  
  Demeter Certified Biodynamic

  Demeter is the global biodynamic standard and one of the oldest ecological farming certifications. It builds on organic requirements and adds whole‑farm ecological criteria, mandatory biodiversity areas, limits on imported fertility, and use of biodynamic preparations. Certification requires annual inspections and licensing fees based on gross sales.

  
  

  
  

  Regenerative Certifications

  

  Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC)

  ROC is administered by the Regenerative Organic Alliance and layers regenerative requirements on top of USDA Organic. It evaluates farms across three pillars: soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. Practices include cover cropping, reduced tillage, and verified labor standards. ROC offers three tiers—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—based on performance. See also Regenerative Farming at Grgich Hills Estate and Domaine Bousquet, GAIA, and Regenerative Farming.

  
  

  

  Regenified™

  Regenified™ provides a structured way to document how farming decisions influence soil function and long‑term site health. Its 6‑3‑4 Standard aligns with many practices already familiar to growers: reduced tillage, permanent or seasonal cover crops, mixed‑species plantings, maintaining living roots through the year, and the controlled use of livestock for vegetation management. See also Understanding Certified Regenified™ Through Ashton Creek Vineyard.

  
  

  Land to Market (Savory Institute)

  Land to Market, developed by the Savory Institute, is an outcomes‑based regenerative verification. It uses Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) to measure soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem function through short‑ and long‑term monitoring. Certification is tied to demonstrated ecological improvement rather than prescribed practices.

  
  

  

  Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI)

  SCI is a regenerative verification program focused on measurable improvements in soil health and climate outcomes. It prioritizes continuous improvement rather than strict practice‑based standards, making it accessible to farms at various stages of transition.

  
  

  Fibershed Climate Beneficial™

  Fibershed’s Climate Beneficial™ certification applies to fiber and textile producers. It verifies that farming and grazing practices sequester carbon and improve soil health within regional fiber systems. The program is part of Fibershed’s broader effort to localize textile production.

  
  

  

  A Greener World (AGW) 

  A Greener World promotes practical, sustainable solutions in agriculture by supporting farmers and educating consumers. They offer a regenerative certification emphasizing soil health, biodiversity, and verified ecological outcomes. Standards apply to farms of various sizes and production types, including mixed crop‑livestock operations.

  
  

  

  Soil Regen

  Soil Regen is a science‑based agronomy group that supports growers transitioning to regenerative systems through soil‑health testing, data‑driven consulting, and practical on‑farm guidance. The organization emphasizes measurable biological improvements rather than prescriptive practice lists. Their work connects soil function with economic resilience, helping producers adopt regenerative methods that fit their specific soils, climates, and operational goals.

  

  
  Regenerative Viticulture Foundation  (RVF)

  RVF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing soil‑centered, climate‑positive grape growing through education, collaboration, and measurable outcomes. Its mission is to help winegrowers transition from extractive to regenerative practices that restore ecosystem function, improve soil health, and strengthen vineyard resilience. The foundation’s flagship initiative, the One Block Challenge™, invites growers to dedicate a single vineyard block to regenerative management—serving as a living demonstration of how small, evidence‑based changes can yield ecological and economic benefits. 

  Ethos™

  Ethos™ provides regenerative verification for farms and ranches, focusing on soil health, ecological outcomes, and transparent documentation. It is a data-driven platform that collaboratively monitors and reports on the holistic impacts of regenerative agriculture, from soil health to farmer and community wellbeing.

  Other Resources

  
  

  Dodon Center for Ecological Farming

  
  

  The Dodon Center for Ecological Farming promotes a transition to ecological farming and a sustainable food system through practical education, regenerative practices, and strategic partnerships. Their focus is on soil health, biodiversity, and local food production—bringing together farmers, consumers, and policymakers to build a resilient and fair future. 

  
  
  

• The Essence of the Olive: Single Source Tunisian Olive Oil from Terra Delyssa

  Posted: 2026-07-23 15:19

  Our history goes back to many generations cultivating olive trees and producing olive oil. In the 1990s, CHO Company began selling its olive oil in bulk to co-packers and manufacturers in Europe. Dismayed to see our beautiful, golden, smooth tasting olive oil blended with lesser quality oils from other countries, we developed Terra Delyssa to be the ambassador brand of Tunisian olive oil. -- Terra Delyssa®

  

  Farmers in Tunisia have cultivated olives for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence showing organized production during the Phoenician and Roman eras. Today it remains one of the world’s largest olive‑growing regions, and the Chemlali cultivar dominates central and southern Tunisia, where semi‑arid conditions, sandy loam soils, and limited rainfall favor its growth. Chemlali is well adapted to these environments, producing small, dark fruits and resilient to drought, poor soils, and temperature extremes. 

  Terra Delyssa® is named after Queen Elyssa, (Dido in Virgil's Aeneid) - the legendary Phoenician princess from Tyre who fled her homeland to found the city of Carthage in modern-day Tunisia around 814 BC.  They are also the sister brand to Moresh - the Moroccan brand we recently featured.  Terra Delyssa® sources Chemlali olives from certified organic estates, relying on the stable climate and traditional agricultural practices to maintain uniform quality across each harvest. Olives are generally picked between November and January and milled within hours to preserve freshness. 

  The company’s Single Source bottling emphasizes traceability: each bottle includes a QR code linking to harvest location, milling and bottling dates, and laboratory analysis using  IBM’s blockchain technology. These analyses routinely include phenolic measurements, and the Single Source Smooth olive oil typically falls within a moderate phenolic range appropriate for a mild Chemlali profile. Recent batches have shown total phenolic content around 200–300 mg/kg, reflecting the cultivar’s naturally soft character while still meeting recognized thresholds for freshness and stability. Terra Delyssa publishes these results alongside pesticide‑residue testing showing non‑detectable levels, reinforcing its organic and zero‑residue positioning. The bottle also displays multiple certifications documenting compliance with international quality and safety standards, including USDA Organic, Non‑GMO Project Verified, Kosher certification, ISO 22000 and ISO 9001 management systems, and SQF Level 3. 

  The resulting oil reflects the Chemlali cultivar’s typical sensory attributes: mild and fruity, typically showing notes of green apple, almond, and herbs, with low bitterness and a gentle, delayed pepper finish. This makes the Single Source Smooth suitable for salads, drizzling, baking, and other applications where a mild extra virgin olive oil is preferred.

  Update
  Based on the suggestion from Terra Delyssa® we scanned our bottle to learn the pertinent facts. The olives for this lot were harvested in November 2025 from orchards in the region of Sidi Bouzid, Mahdia, Kairouan, Sfax, Siliana and Sousse.  Fields in these regions are tilled 3 times a year, pruned and harvested once a year. There are stories about some of the individual farmers here.

  After pressing, the olive oil was stored in CHO’s main storage facility. Storage was made in stainless steel tanks in a temperature controlled environment under 70 F. Oil was protected from light and oxygen to protect its chemical and organoleptic profile.

  The lot  was filtered on Jan 16, 2026 to eliminate all micro-particles of olive pit and skin residues that were in the oil. It gave the oil a golden shine and eliminated all the cloudiness in the oil.

  The olive oil went through two analysis  on Jan 22, 2026 and Jan 24, 2026 and the quality of your olive oil is guaranteed by several internal and external laboratories that are accredited ISO 17025, and recognized by the International Olive Oil Council IOOC.

  The IOOC accredited tasting panel crafts the Terra Delyssa® olive oil profile by blending different production batches to create the same flavor profile you expect of Terra Delyssa®. The flavor profile for our lot was crafted and approved on Jan 24, 2026.

  The actual bottle was filled on Jan 22, 2026. The Terra Delyssa® bottling facilities are food safety certified: HACCP, IFS, BRC and GMP by third party certifiers. No other oil is allowed on site to eliminate all risks of cross-contamination or allergy exposure.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

• Start Practicing Regenerative Agriculture Through the NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program

  Posted: 2026-07-20 08:00

  "This pilot program addresses whole-farm resource concerns through support for voluntary regenerative agriculture conservation plans. It also puts American farmers first as a part of the solution to provide access to American-grown whole foods, critical to addressing the chronic disease crisis nationwide." --  Natural Resources Conservation Service

  If vineyard owners - and farmers in general - are interested in moving to more organic and regenerative practices, in December 2025, the U.S. U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a program to provide assistance. The NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program was initiate through the department's Natural Resources Conservation Service as a "farmer first, outcomes-based approach to conservation designed to return the agency to its core mission – helping people help the land. NRCS is investing $700 million to specifically support regenerative agriculture." 

  This $700 million program repackages existing funding in USDA conservation programs into a more streamlined approach with $400 million allocated through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program. The streamlined access is intended to allow farmers to pursue whole-farm planning instead of a piecemeal approach and results will be measured through an outcomes report. 

  
  

  
  

  The USDA program targets the most friction-filled phase of any regenerative investment: the three-to-five-year transition window during which farmers adjust practices, absorb upfront capital costs and wait for the agronomic and financial benefits to materialize. EQIP is a cost-share program that reimburses farmers for implementing specific conservation practices—directly reducing that burden and shortening the highest-risk phase for private capital. 

  The practical implications break down across two areas worth watching closely.

  First, operator behavior. Federal payments reduce the financial barrier to transition, which makes it more likely that farmland operators move toward regenerative practices over the next several years—not out of conviction, but out of economic incentive. For investors evaluating assets, this increases the supply of transition-stage and post-transition farms available for acquisition or partnership. It also raises the floor on what standard practice looks like, which has direct implications for how conventional farms are valued relative to regenerative ones.

  Second, the definition problem. As regenerative practices become more widespread, the premium that verified regenerative farmland commands—from buyers, supply chain partners and in lease negotiations—will depend increasingly on how credibly farms can demonstrate outcomes. Investors who have built rigorous evaluation frameworks are better positioned to identify which assets will retain and grow that premium, and which will see it compress as the label becomes more common. -- Forbes

  

  According to the Farm Journal, "USDA says farmers and ranchers interested in regenerative agriculture are encouraged to apply through their local NRCS Service Center by their state’s ranking dates for consideration in FY2026 funding. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can now be submitted under the new single regenerative application process." 

  Benefits to producers include:

  • Bundled practices will be integrated into a single application, making programs easier to access and more impactful;
  • Whole-farm holistic conservation planning is the centerpiece of the program, ensuring that all resource concerns (soil, water, and natural vitality) are addressed together, not piecemeal;
  • Conservation planning and producer objectives drive the process, ensuring site-specific solutions that work for the producer;
  • Outcomes are tracked, measured, and credited back to the farmer; and
  • Producers at every stage, from beginners just starting out with cover crops to advanced operations with years of conservation experience, will find a pathway through this pilot program.

  As part of participating in Regenerative Pilot Program, producers must:

  • Work with NRCS staff, partners, or technical service providers to conduct a whole-farm assessment.
  • Use at least one primary regenerative management practice.
  • Agree to perform soil health testing in the first and last year of the contract (at a minimum) to establish a starting baseline and to record the resulting changes. 

   Primary practices include:

  • Conservation Crop Rotation
  • Contour Farming 
  • Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crop
  • Cover Crop
  • Drainage Water Management 
  • Forage Harvest Management 
  • Forest Stand Improvement 
  • Irrigation Water Management 
  • Mulching 
  • Nutrient Management 
  • Pest Management Conservation System 
  • Grazing Management 
  • Residue and Tillage Management, No Till 
  • Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced 
  • Stripcropping 

  
  

• Spirits for the World Cup Finals: July 19, 2026

  Posted: 2026-07-20 19:10

  Over the years I’ve built a small global library of distilled spirits and fortified wines, and the World Cup Knockout Round feels like the perfect excuse to dig back into it - researching the producers, revisiting the bottles, and tasting my way through the bracket. Starting with the June 29th matches, I’ll be recommending one or two spirits for each game, whether they’re already on my shelf or simply deserve a place in the lineup. Click here to view the other World Cup matches.  Today’s final match: Spain vs Argentina.

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  Spain vs Argentina

  

  Carajillo  (Spain)
  One of the Spanish watch parties in Washington D.C. is being held at the world class Casa Teresa restaurant and one of the cocktails they will be offering during the match is the Carajillo. This is usually an espresso based cocktail with equal parts Licor 43. However, the bartenders at Casa Teresa  have created a D.C. themed alternative using Licor 43, locally made Cotton & Reed PX Rum, and coffee liqueur. Since I actually have these ingredients I decided to replicate with a couple minor adjustments - specifically using honey syrup and chocolate bitters as a replacement for the carob syrup.

  Licor 43 is a semi-sweet golden liqueur comprised of 43 botanicals that was featured in the Spirits for the World Cup Knockout Round: July 10, 2026. At the heart of Licor 43 is its blend of 43 botanicals: bright citrus peels, vanilla, warm spices, and Mediterranean herbs that create its signature aromatic profile. Vanilla leads the nose, but orange blossom, cinnamon, and herbal notes add depth. 

  Cotton & Reed is Washington, D.C.’s first dedicated rum distillery that produces small‑batch rum using long fermentations from a blend of Louisiana and Brazilian molasses and using a hybrid pot‑and‑column still. Their PX Rum builds on this foundation: distilled from first‑press and blackstrap molasses, aged for over 18 months in new American oak for vanilla, caramel, and toasted wood notes, then finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry–seasoned casks that contribute dried‑fruit tones like figs and dates. 

  McClintock Distilling’s Mayorga Coffee Liqueur is the result of a collaboration between the Frederick, Maryland distillery and Mayorga Organics. McClintock builds the liqueur on a neutral organic spirit, then infuses it with Mayorga’s roasted beans using a cold‑brew extraction that preserves the coffee’s natural chocolate, caramel, and roasted‑nut character without introducing bitterness. A touch of organic cane sugar rounds the edges.

  The modified Carajillo cocktail:

  • 2 oz Cotton & Reed PX Rum
  • 1.5 oz Licor 43
  • 1 oz McClintock Mayorga Coffee Liqueur
  • .5 oz carob syrup or honey syrup and 3 dashes Scrappys chocolate bitters
  • Bay Leaf Espuma 

  Shake all ingredients with ice, then strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish: Finish with Bay Leaf Espuma.

  
  

  Lunfardo (Argentina)
  I'm sticking with Fernet Branca for the finals and this time creating a truly Argentinian cocktail using Argentina’s signature wine: Malbec. The is the working class favorite, Lunfardo, basically Fernet and Malbec. This combination balances the bitter, herbal notes of the Fernet with the fruity depth of the Malbec. I chose the Trivento Reserve Malbec 2024 primarily for its accessibility. 

  Trivento’s Argentina Reserve Malbec 2024 reflects the winery’s focus on accessible, fruit‑forward Mendoza reds shaped by high‑altitude vineyards and consistent sunlight. The wine leans into the hallmarks of modern Argentine Malbec: ripe blackberries, plum, and soft blueberry notes supported by gentle oak that adds vanilla and a touch of spice without weighing down the palate. Trivento uses a mix of estate and grower fruit from Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, regions known for producing balanced, approachable Malbec with smooth tannins and a clean finish. 

  As a recap, Fernet Branca is made from a grape‑distillate base infused with 27 botanicals sourced from four continents, including saffron, gentian, aloe ferox, chamomile, myrrh, and mint. These ingredients are macerated and matured in large Slavonian oak casks, where extended resting integrates the herbal components and softens the bitterness. Production relies on long extraction times and slow barrel aging, creating a profile defined by strong herbal intensity, cooling mint, and deep earthy notes. Visit Spirits for the World Cup Semifinals: July 15, 2026 for a longer description. 

  The Lunfardo cocktail:

  • 1 ½ oz Fernet
  • 2 oz Malbec wine
  • ¾ oz Classic Gum Syrup - Honey Syrup as an alternative

  Shake all ingredients with ice, then strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish: Finish with a lemon twist

  
  

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