Dry-Farming Conversion Consulting

Helping Vineyards Transition from Irrigated to Climate-Resilient Viticulture

Consultant: Linda Johnson-Bell, Wine Writer, Climate & Water Specialist, Founder of The Wine and Climate Change Institute (Oxford, UK)

As Founder of The Wine and Climate Change Institute (TWACCI), one of my key missions is to help producers transition toward climate-resilient viticulture, practices that respect water, soil, and the heritage of winegrowing itself.

Too many vineyards today remain dependent on irrigation, a fragile system in a warming, drying world. Through TWACCI, I guide estates in converting from irrigated to dry-farmed vineyards, reviving the traditional European model that sustained the world’s great wines for centuries.

Dry farming is not just about water conservation; it’s about resilience, authenticity, and terroir. The wines that emerge are more authentic expressions of place, stronger, deeper-rooted, and better adapted to the future.

I now offer this guidance online through my Dry-Farming Conversion Map™, a bespoke roadmap and consultation designed to help growers begin the transition step by step.

If you’re a producer, importer, or sustainability professional exploring regenerative approaches to wine, I’d love to connect.

Overview

Modern viticulture has become dangerously dependent on irrigation. As climate change intensifies and water becomes scarce, this model is no longer sustainable, economically, ethically, or environmentally. My consultancy helps vineyards reclaim the traditional European practice of dry farming, restoring soil health, reducing water use, and producing wines of greater authenticity and terroir expression.

Why Switching to Dry Farming Is Worth It

Converting a vineyard from irrigation to dry farming isn’t easy, or cheap at first, but it’s one of the most innovative, most climate-resilient moves a grower can make. Irrigated vines grow lazy, with shallow roots that need constant water. When you take irrigation away, the vine has to dig deep to find natural moisture and balance. It can take a few years of lower yields and hard work restoring soil health, but the reward is enormous: stronger vines, richer wines, and dramatically lower water use. Dry-farmed grapes express their place with purity  - it’s how Europe’s great vineyards have worked for centuries, long before irrigation pipes appeared in the fields.

Phase 1: Site Audit & Water Resilience Report

Every project begins with a full diagnostic of the estate’s growing conditions and water footprint.

Includes:

  • Climate and rainfall assessment

  • Soil sampling and structure analysis

  • Review of irrigation systems and vine health

  • Root-depth evaluation and yield history

  • Benchmark “Water Resilience Score”

Deliverable: A concise Vineyard Water Resilience Report highlighting constraints and opportunities.

Phase 2: Soil Restoration & Transition Plan

Dry farming thrives on living soils. I work with the vineyard team to rebuild soil structure and organic matter so the ground itself becomes a natural reservoir.

Actions may include:

  • Eliminating synthetic inputs and tillage reduction

  • Introducing diverse cover crops and mulching regimes

  • Compost and biochar application schedules

  • Soil-carbon improvement roadmap

Deliverable: A Soil & Water Transition Plan tailored to your terroir.


Phase 3: Phased Irrigation Withdrawal

A gradual, data-driven approach ensures vine survival and long-term health.

Plan covers:

  • Year-by-year reduction schedule

  • Deep-watering techniques during transition

  • Rootstock and variety recommendations

  • Vine stress monitoring protocols

Deliverable: A Three-Year Dry-Farming Conversion Strategy.

Phase 4: Implementation & Monitoring

I provide seasonal support and progress reviews to ensure the strategy is on track.

Tools include:

  • Soil moisture and temperature sensors

  • Canopy and ground-cover management guides

  • Yield and vine-stress data analysis

  • Annual progress summary

Deliverable: A Dry Farming Dashboard showing improvements in soil carbon, vine resilience, and water savings.

Phase 5: Storytelling & Certification

Once the system is established, we turn your environmental leadership into marketing value.

Support includes:

  • “Dry-Farmed / Water-Wise” branding language for labels and websites

  • Sustainability or organic certification guidance

  • Winery tour and media storytelling support

Deliverable: Brand Integration & Communication Toolkit.

Timeline

Typical conversion: 3–5 years, depending on soil condition, vine age, and rainfall patterns.
Site audits and transition plans can begin immediately. TWACCI can be a part of this process, or just you started, there are flexible plans that will suit your needs.

Fees

Projects are quoted individually according to vineyard size and scope. I am also happy to hand the Conversion Map over to your team as a one-time fee/product so that you can work through it yourself.  Or, I guide you through the process via Zoom meetings.

Outcomes

✔ Up to 1 million litres of water saved per hectare per year (depending on your current use/size)
 ✔ Healthier, deeper-rooted vines
✔ Greater terroir expression and wine quality
✔ Reduced input costs and increased sustainability credentials

Contact

To discuss your vineyard’s transition:
📩linda@twacci.org
🌐 www.lindajohnsonbell.com