A SONG OF SOIL

Synopsis

A Song of Soil is a feature-length, present-tense observational documentary set at Babcock Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley — a place where every grapevine has recently died due to a devastating convergence of Pierce’s Disease, fungal pathogens, water strain, and environmental collapse.

Instead of replanting with conventional methods, vineyard owner Bryan Babcock, in collaboration with Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation (Duke Richardson & Annalee

...

A Song of Soil is a feature-length, present-tense observational documentary set at Babcock Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley — a place where every grapevine has recently died due to a devastating convergence of Pierce’s Disease, fungal pathogens, water strain, and environmental collapse.

Instead of replanting with conventional methods, vineyard owner Bryan Babcock, in collaboration with Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation (Duke Richardson & Annalee Knudson), will introduce 40 wild mustangs onto the land. In partnership with USDA scientists led by Dr. Chris Wallis, the team intends to pioneer a new model of biodynamic, low-water, regenerative viticulture that could change agricultural practices across the Central Coast and beyond.

The film spans multiple years, watching the land itself as the primary character — patient, wounded, and slowly healing.

Behind the agricultural crisis is a larger truth:

No farms, no food.

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Style & Tone

Highly cinematic, rooted in stillness, patience, and elemental forces. Visually in conversation with Baraka, Lessons of Darkness, and Harlan County, USA.
A deliberate big-screen observational film. Limited sit-down interviews, Minimal exposition

Only what unfolds in real time: soil, horses, humans, weather, trial-and- error, and the slow return of biological life
The film shows rather than tells — trusting imagery, sound, and natural behavior to carry the meaning.

...

Highly cinematic, rooted in stillness, patience, and elemental forces. Visually in conversation with Baraka, Lessons of Darkness, and Harlan County, USA.
A deliberate big-screen observational film. Limited sit-down interviews, Minimal exposition

Only what unfolds in real time: soil, horses, humans, weather, trial-and- error, and the slow return of biological life
The film shows rather than tells — trusting imagery, sound, and natural behavior to carry the meaning. This approach humanizes science, romanticizes wine and wild horses, and awakens the viewer to the urgency of soil health. Through scene-work and juxtaposition, it guides the audience to a fresh, visceral understanding through personal observation. My camera, like the Terminator, is a learning robot and through it the audience learns alongside me.

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Background

A SONG OF SOIL explores the relationship between agriculture, ecology, and human responsibility to the land at a moment when climate pressure and industrial farming are forcing that relationship to change. The film takes place at Babcock Vineyard in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, where every grapevine recently died due to disease and environmental stress. Instead of replanting conventionally, the vineyard’s owner has begun an unusual experiment: introducing wild

...

A SONG OF SOIL explores the relationship between agriculture, ecology, and human responsibility to the land at a moment when climate pressure and industrial farming are forcing that relationship to change. The film takes place at Babcock Vineyard in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, where every grapevine recently died due to disease and environmental stress. Instead of replanting conventionally, the vineyard’s owner has begun an unusual experiment: introducing wild mustangs to help regenerate the soil and restore ecological balance.

The film observes this process in real time over multiple seasons, allowing the land itself to become a central character. As horses, people, weather, and soil interact, the story raises larger questions about how we farm, how we repair damaged ecosystems, and whether modern agriculture can evolve into something more resilient and reciprocal.

These themes are increasingly urgent as farmers across the country face soil depletion, water scarcity, and climate instability. By documenting a real-world regenerative experiment as it unfolds, the film brings these issues out of theory and into lived experience.

I am uniquely positioned to make this film because I live and work in the Santa Ynez Valley and volunteer on a mustang ranch, giving me both access and a personal connection to the world the film depicts. As a documentary cinematographer, my work focuses on patient, observational storytelling that allows real moments—and real change—to unfold naturally on screen.

PROJECT STATUS
Current Status
Full, multi-year access secured with Babcock Winery & Vineyard USDA (Dr. Chris Wallis) access granted via USDA Media team. Baseline soil tests completed
Mustangs have been introduced to the first parcels of land.
VSP vine terrece system has been partially replaced by new, experimental "Pedestular Cane Suspension" terrece system.
RVF One Block Challenge underway in the Santa Ynez Valley. Buy in from over 30 wine growers and winemakers.
Filming & editing in progress.

In order to see results, we're expecting at least two seasons of development which means at least two years of intermittent filming. Specific production schedule is difficult as I need to film as events occur based on the natural world. Luckily, I live here and already have all the equipment.

We'll be editing on a rolling basis. In total, we're budgeted for 12 weeks of editorial time spread out over two years.

With this in mind, we'll be targeting a festival run, community/institutional screenings, and a limited theatrical release in 2028 at the earliest.

AUDIENCE AND DISTRIBUTION
We begin with a targeted festival run aiming for prestige fests like Sundance and TIFF; cinematography fests like Camerimage; and climate/environment fests like DCEFF. Simultaneously, we will pursue institutional screening events that include Q&As with the filmmaker and the farmers involved at local institutions known for agricultural and oenological programs; Allan Hancock College, Santa Barbara City College, Cal Poly, Cuesta College, UC Davis, etc. The intended audience for this film is twofold: first, a wide festival audience at prestige documentary venues then the niche institutional audience. I intend to take lessons from The Distribution Playbook to develop the largest and most impactful distribution strategy for this piece. If we can create enough groundswell for a limited or wide theatrical release, that would be incredible but our primary focus is community engagement.

Comps: Biggest Little Farm, Lessons of Darkness, Baraka

INTENDED AUDIENCE
The primary audience for A SONG OF SOIL is anyone who eats food, drinks wine, or lives on the planet. This is an existential issue and, though it is cloaked in a veneer of beautiful horses and wine, the themes within it are essential to human history and survival on the planet. The younger generation of Gen Z'ers tends to be concerned about the global climate and the issues raised in A SONG OF SOIL are right in line with those concerns. The film also appeals to elder millennials, Gen X, and older audiences who engage with documentaries about land, climate, and rural life. These audiences are often highly curious about how food and wine are produced. The film also speaks to a growing community interested in regenerative agriculture and soil health, a movement that spans farmers, scientists, students, and environmentally engaged consumers. It also aims to serve future generations of growers and ranchers.

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Our Ask

Presently seeking a producing partner in the form of experienced documentary producers, production companies, or studio partners.

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A SONG OF SOIL

Logline

Stills

Team

Daniel Brothers

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