hand planting grape vine in soil

Soil to Soul Podcast

Hosted by Jess Baum, Senior Director of Regenerative Impact at Bonterra

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About Soil to Soul 

In the Soil to Soul podcast, now in its second season, Host Jess Baum interviews inspiring change-makers who are passionate about making a positive impact on our planet. Each episode explores our guests’ origin stories and motivations to do the work that they do, with themes of hope and progress woven throughout.

hand planting grape vine in soil

About the host 

Soil to Soul is hosted by Jess Baum, Bonterra’s Senior Director of Regenerative Impact.  

Jess is an idealist with a gift for channeling passion into measurable, transformative action. As Senior Director of Regenerative Impact at Bonterra Organic Estates, she leads a broad scope of sustainability initiatives on behalf of the B Corp-certified winery. 

Sheep grazing at McNab Estate Ranch

What Jess does for Bonterra

Working closely with executive leadership and across departments, Jess steers the company’s overarching sustainability strategy and planning with a holistic eye. In addition to developing, managing, and communicating the winery’s efforts to reduce energy, waste, water consumption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, she also works to advance the social aspects of sustainability, and engage employees and consumers in the regenerative revolution through creative storytelling and empowered connection. 

The vineyard at McNab

Jess’s Impact

In 2021, Jess successfully initiated and guided the company’s efforts to achieve a Silver level of Regenerative Organic Certified® – verifiably prioritizing human and animal health as well as that of soil and environment. She has also shepherded Bonterra Organic Estates through recertification as a B Corp, secured climate-neutral certification for the Bonterra brand, spearheaded the company’s formal commitment to the Science-Based Targets initiative, and helped to launch an employee engagement group called the B Squad. 

Jess holds a Master of Science in environmental studies from Antioch University New England. Her urgent commitment to sustainability stems from a lifelong love and reverence for nature. 

Where to listen 

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Season 2 Episodes

  1. April 9: Elin McCoy: wine critic for Bloomberg News; U.S. columnist for The Wine Conversation podcast; contributor to The World of Fine Wine, Decanter, and Elite Traveler; author of The Emperor of Wine 
  1. April 16: Ray Isle: Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine; Wine & Spirits Editor of Travel + Leisure; author of The World in a Wineglass 
  1. April 23: Meridith May: Owner of The SOMM Journal and The Tasting Panel 
  1. April 30: Betsy Andrews: Contributing editor for Food & Wine, Eating Well, and SevenFifty Daily; author of three poetry books, New Jersey, The Bottom, and Crowded 
  1. May 7: Kathleen Willcox: Writer for Wine Searcher, Wine Enthusiast, Modern Farmer, The Drinks Business, and Wine Industry Advisor; coauthor of Hudson Valley Wine: A History of Taste & Terroir 
  1. May 14: Brian Freedman: Columnist for Food & Wine and Forbes; author of Crushed: How A Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink 
  1. May 21: Wanda Mann: Founder, Wine With Wanda; East Coast Editor of The SOMM Journal and The Tasting Panel 
  1. May 28: Sophie Menin: Writer for The New York Times, Barron’s, Wine Spectator, Edible Communities, and Saveur; author of A Year in the Vineyard