"Becoming Regenerative Organic Certified validates the work of our farming team and reflects our belief that exceptional vineyards begin with healthy, living soils," said Chiara Shannon, co-owner of Groundstar Vineyard.
Groundstar Vineyard in Lompoc, California, has become the first Regenerative Organic Certified estate in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the vineyard announced July 16, 2026. The certification, administered by the Regenerative Organic Alliance and verified through California Certified Organic Farmers, covers 81.5 acres of the estate's roughly 82 acres, with about 25 acres planted to Pinot Noir, Syrah and Grenache.
"From the day we acquired Groundstar, our vision has been to cultivate a vineyard that promotes ecological health, supports the people who work the land, and contributes positively to the broader agricultural community," said Chiara Shannon, co-owner of Groundstar Vineyard. "Becoming Regenerative Organic Certified validates the work of our farming team and reflects our belief that exceptional vineyards begin with healthy, living soils."
From Ampelos to Groundstar
Shannon and her partner Joseph Brent acquired the property in 2024 from Peter and Rebecca Work, who had farmed it as Ampelos Vineyard. The new owners, who describe themselves as farmers rather than winemakers, rebuilt the operation around regenerative practices: cover cropping, compost application, rotational sheep grazing, biodiversity plantings and reduced tillage.
Brent, speaking at the vineyard's debut release in March 2025, said the couple's focus as farmers rather than winemakers lets them concentrate on farming innovation and land stewardship, with regenerative agriculture providing the tools and a roadmap to care for the vineyard while making a lasting positive impact on the environment and the community.
What ROC actually requires
Regenerative Organic Certified is administered by the Regenerative Organic Alliance and verified through accredited certifiers, in Groundstar's case California Certified Organic Farmers. The standard layers three pillars over USDA organic: soil health, animal welfare and farmworker fairness. Vineyards must demonstrate practices like cover cropping and reduced tillage, document soil organic matter trends and meet labor standards that go beyond conventional certification.
Few wine estates have cleared the bar, which is why the certification carries weight with buyers. In a market where regenerative claims are increasingly common and increasingly scrutinized, an audited ROC certificate is the difference between a story and a credential.
The distinction matters for the ROC label. Regenerative Organic Certified builds on USDA organic with required standards for soil health, animal welfare and farmworker fairness, making it one of the most demanding certifications a vineyard can hold.
Growing the footprint
Groundstar's ambitions extend well beyond its original boundaries. On February 13, 2026, the owners acquired Williams Ranch, a 247-acre property on Highway 246, bringing their total land stewardship to more than 320 acres. Shannon was also elected President of the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance as the appellation marks its 25th anniversary, putting a regenerative farmer at the head of one of California's most respected cool-climate wine regions.
Why the trade should care
Regenerative claims are proliferating in wine marketing, but audited certifications remain rare, and ROC is the standard with the most teeth. As distributors and retailers tighten their sustainability screens, a certified estate in a marquee AVA gives buyers a verifiable story to put in front of consumers. Groundstar's certification sets the bar for Sta. Rita Hills, and the rest of the region will be measured against it.