Lodi, Calif.—Former Lodi Winegrape Commission executive director Mark Chandler, who now runs his own vineyard and winery consulting firm Chandler & Company, has partnered with Walnut Creek, Calif.-based AgroThermal Systems to bring the firm’s thermaculture technology to the Lodi AVA. AgroThermal developed a system that treats vines with hot air, which it claims increases yields reduces pest pressure and helps manage weather-related crop damage. Chandler plans to use the AgroThermal system on his own 180-acre vineyard and contract the equipment out for other growers in the region as part of his consulting services.