Can ‘One Block’ Change Everything? How Regenerative Viticulture is Reshaping the Future of Wine.
In a world where climate change is transforming the way we grow and make wine, regenerative viticulture offers a way forward—one that’s not just about reducing harm but about actively restoring and improving the land we depend on.
To explore this idea further, we sat down with our own Nick Gill, New Zealand’s Technical Advisor for the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (RVF), to talk about the One Block Challenge—a simple, practical way for winegrowers to dip their toes into regenerative farming without having to overhaul their entire vineyard.
Here’s what we learned.
What Is the RVF and the One Block Challenge?
The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (RVF) is a not-for-profit with roots in the Northern Hemisphere that’s quickly growing into a global movement. Its mission is to work with nature to create a sustainable future for vineyards, growers, and the planet—through science, communication, and practical support for winegrowers.
The One Block Challenge (1BC) is a program designed to make regenerative viticulture more accessible. It invites growers from all backgrounds to commit just one block of vines to regenerative farming for a year. The goal? To test, learn, and—critically—share those learnings with others. It’s about enabling change to happen faster across multiple vineyards, regions, and even continents.
How Did Nick Get Involved?
Nick’s path to the RVF began with a reconnection. Caine Thompson, a trustee of the Foundation, reached out after seeing Greystone’s regenerative practices gaining attention in the global wine media. Years ago, the two were virtually neighbours in North Canterbury—Caine as General Manager at Pyramid Valley and Nick as Viticulturist at Greystone Wines.
Over time, their shared philosophies around farming and land stewardship led to an invitation for Nick to join RVF as the New Zealand Technical Advisor. After two decades at Greystone, Nick now works independently, offering coaching and business consultancy to growers across the country who want to build healthier, more resilient vineyards.
So, What Is Regenerative Viticulture—and Why Does It Matter?
At its core, regenerative viticulture is about restoring and enhancing soil health to build a more resilient vineyard ecosystem. It’s regenerative agriculture, applied specifically to the growing of Vitis vinifera grapes for wine.
Why does it matter? Because healthy, living soil is the foundation of not just thriving vines, but also terroir expression. That sense of place we’re always chasing in wine? It’s intimately tied to the vineyard’s microbiome—the diverse life in and around the soil.
How Do I Get Started?
According to Nick, the first step is to form a group of interested growers—you can be located anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand. Each participant chooses a block or parcel to dedicate to the challenge for one year.
It might be a “problem” block, or simply one that’s representative of your vineyard. From there, you’ll learn to carry out simple soil health assessments: penetrometer tests, water infiltration tests, earthworm counts, and basic biodiversity surveys.
Next, you’ll choose a few practices from the regenerative “menu”—in New Zealand, that might mean:
- Reducing or eliminating herbicides
- Increasing cover crop diversity
- Integrating grazing animals
- Maintaining permanent soil cover
- Reducing or removing cultivation
The idea is to test what works in your context and start building knowledge from the ground up—literally.
Why Join the 1BC? Why Not Just Do It Alone?
“Regenerative viticulture is context-specific,” Nick says. “What works in your vineyard might not work in someone else’s. That’s why it’s important to develop solutions that fit your land, your values, and your business.”
But going it alone can be slow. By joining the One Block Challenge, you become part of a community that shares what’s working—and what isn’t. The hope is that by learning together, we can speed up the transition to more regenerative models of farming, and bring about meaningful change while there’s still time.
The Exploratory Workshop – July 30 at Greystone Wines
Interested in taking the first step? Nick is hosting a free 1BC Exploratory Workshop on Wednesday, 30 July at Greystone Wines, 8 Vineyard Lane, Waipara, from 10 am to 3 pm.
The session is open to all—whether you’re conventional, organic, seasoned in regen or just regen-curious. It’s a day for open sharing, asking questions, and connecting with a growing community. You’ll hear about the benefits and challenges of regenerative viticulture, learn from real-world experiences, and leave with clear next steps for your own vineyard.
Lunch is provided, and you’ll be invited to join the ongoing Slack community to make sharing and communication easy.
To RSVP, email [email protected] (don’t forget to mention any dietary requirements).
Want to Learn More?
Curious about how regenerative and organic practices are reshaping the world of wine? Explore more at:
Greystone Wines – visit us for a tasting or order online to experience the difference
Regenerative Viticulture Foundation – learn the principles behind regenerative viticulture
The One Block Challenge – discover how growers are getting started
The Food Farm – Learn more about Nick and Angla’s Food Farm Journey
Underground Festival – Join us and like-minded folks for NZ’s Festival of Soil
