Sustainably Farmed Vineyards 

In 2010, our sustainable vineyard practices were officially certified by the California Sustainable Winegrower’s Alliance, a statewide certification program that provides third-party verification of a winery or vineyard’s adherence to a "process of continuous improvement" in the adoption and implementation of sustainable winegrowing practices. Sustainable farming means that we engage in practices that meet the wine-growing needs of the present without threatening the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainability combines three principles: environmental health, economic feasibility and social equity.

Environmental Health: While growing the best wine grapes possible, we are good stewards of our natural resources. This means protecting or even improving the general eco-system, specifically the soil, water, air, and creatures who inhabit it.

Soils: Conservation of soils includes proper runoff management and erosion prevention, reduction of soil compaction, competent soil analysis to minimize amendment, returning composted grape pumice as organic matter, minimal tillage, and the intelligent use of cover crops.

Water: Drip irrigation lessens water use, along with tools and strategies to monitor water in soils and vines with metering devices. Preventing erosion also keeps silt and fertilizers out of the local watershed. Since we often farm along creeks, we practice Fish Friendly Farming, which includes the removal of harmful vegetation and replacement with California native riparian plants.

Air: Cover crops greatly reduce dust from vineyard activity. We have eliminated the burning of winter prunings, chipping the canes instead. We reduce the use of fossil fuel by minimizing tillage. Vineyard roads are wetted down or treated with environmentally safe wetting agents.

Wildlife: All farming is done so that it minimizes adverse affects to threatened or endangered plant or wildlife species. Sensitive areas are left undeveloped. Deer are fenced out so they don’t damage vines, but are provided normal movement with wildlife and waterway corridors. Large areas of our property are left as green open space, and we place bluebird and owl nesting boxes in our vineyards.

Economic Feasibility: The farming activities we undertake in our vineyards must make economic sense. Long-term viability is key, or practices may not be repeated. Fortunately, many excellent conservation methods, if applied successfully, can actually decrease input while enhancing sustainability.

Social Equity: We consider our neighbors in all of our vineyard practices, and our Sonoma County farming enhances the local community with job creation and the support of local businesses. Vineyard workers, both seasonal and full-time, are provided with housing by our vineyard management company