Introducing MINDSET: A Regenerative Viticulture Symposium in Santa Barbara County, June 8–10, 2026

I am honored to speak at this inaugural wine industry symposium dedicated to regenerative leadership in California — and invite you to join us.

A Regenerative Viticulture & Leadership Symposium for the Future of Wine

This June, California’s Central and South Coast wine communities will come together for something both timely and necessary: the MINDSET Regeneration & Resilience Symposium.

Taking place June 8–10 at Cambria Winery & Vineyard, this three-day, action-oriented gathering brings world-class expertise into direct conversation with the wine community to explore holistic, nature-based approaches to farming that support soil health, water retention, and biodiversity while strengthening both ecological and economic resilience—and how these practices ultimately translate into greater wine quality, more compelling storytelling, and deeper connection with consumers.

At its core, the symposium is about supporting the Central Coast wine community in stepping forward as leaders in regenerative viticulture.

This is not simply a conference. At a time when the wine industry is being called to evolve—responding to changing consumer expectations, environmental pressures, and a deeper demand for authenticity—it represents a defining moment for the future of wine.

From Awareness to Action: Why This Moment Matters

For years, I’ve been exploring and speaking about the intersection of wine, mindfulness, and sustainability—often making the case that how we farm, how we think, and the quality that shows up in the glass are deeply interconnected.

Wine is not just a product, but a reflection of people, place, and purpose. Stewardship is not separate from quality—but essential to it. The responsibility for a more sustainable future does not sit solely with growers and farmers, but across the entire wine ecosystem.

These ideas have been evolving—from my work as a sommelier to industry consultant and regenerative vineyard owner, and through my training in mindfulness and yoga, where awareness is the starting point for meaningful change. Until now, they have largely lived in pockets: small gatherings, one-off panels, conversations across the industry, and personal practice.

This is the first time I’ve seen a dedicated platform bring together leaders across disciplines to engage directly with the wine community around regenerative leadership—not just as a concept, but as a shared direction forward. It signals a shift: from isolated efforts to collective momentum, from conversation to application, from awareness to action.

And perhaps most importantly, it reflects a growing recognition that the future of wine will be shaped not only by what we produce—but by how we choose to steward the systems that make it possible.

My Role in the Conversation

Where practice meets perspective—Groundstar Vineyard & Estate in the Sta. Rita Hills offers a powerful lens into how climate, place, and farming intersect to shape the future of wine.

What makes this gathering especially meaningful is the caliber and diversity of voices coming together.

MINDSET is the creation of Anna Brittain—former Executive Director of Napa Green and founder of the RISE symposium—whose work has long been at the forefront of sustainability and climate action in wine. Her leadership in bringing this kind of focused, action-oriented gathering to Santa Barbara County feels both timely and deeply aligned with the region’s potential.

The symposium features an impressive lineup of experts, growers, and thought leaders across regenerative agriculture and wine—including inspirational figures whose work I deeply admire such as Raj Parr, Mimi Casteel, Kelly Mulville, and John Kempf among many others.

My own perspective is rooted in the intersection of wine production, site expression, and regenerative viticulture—and in the belief that wine quality and vineyard stewardship are not separate pursuits, but fundamentally linked. This is work I engage with daily through both Groundstar Vineyard & Estate and Mindful Wine™, where the focus is on aligning ecological values, business strategy, and long-term vision.

It is a true honor to participate as a speaker in the Critical Questions Forum on Wednesday, June 10—a session designed to foster structured, evidence-based dialogue around the most pressing questions facing our industry. To be part of a conversation alongside individuals who have been shaping this movement in such meaningful ways is both humbling and energizing.

What Sets MINDSET Apart

Each day of the symposium is intentionally designed to move from foundation to application:

• Morning workshops with leading practitioners

• Visionary keynote perspectives

• A Critical Questions Forum grounded in structured dialogue

• Afternoon masterclasses for deeper, hands-on learning

  
  

The goal is not just to inspire—but to empower.

Event Details & Registration

MINDSET Symposium program overview—three days of workshops, dialogue, and applied learning.

MINDSET: Regeneration & Resilience Symposium

June 8–10, 2026

Cambria Vineyard & Winery, Santa Maria

Santa Barbara County, California

A limited-time Early Bird offer of $50 off registration is available through May 1.

If you’ve been considering attending, this is a meaningful opportunity to engage with a community of growers, winemakers, and thought leaders shaping the future of regenerative wine.

Explore the event and register here: https://www.agmindset.com/

An Invitation

If this resonates—if you’re thinking about the future of your vineyard, your wines, or your role within the broader wine community—this is a conversation worth stepping into. MINDSET offers a rare opportunity to engage deeply, ask better questions, and connect with others committed to evolving how we farm, produce, and lead.

I hope you’ll join us this June on California’s Central Coast.

About Mindful Wine™

Mindful Wine™ is an extension of this work—supporting wine businesses at the intersection of production, strategy, and regenerative agriculture.

Through consulting and advisory, I work with vineyards, brands, and founders to align how they farm, how they build, and how they grow—with a long-term vision rooted in both quality and stewardship.

If you’re exploring how these principles might take shape in your own work, I’d be glad to connect.

With intention,

Chiara

Join Chiara & Leaders at MINDSET: Regeneration & Resilience Symposium 2026