Stewards of the Land : Caring for the Land
California’s wine-grape growers are committed to making sure their growing practices are mindful of the environment, resources and people that support the state’s vineyards. Being responsible about the way they do business is the right thing to do, and it also produces superior grapes.
Cover Crops:
A non-economical crop that is planted between vineyard rows to help reduce soil erosion, improve soil quality and structure, and provide an environment for beneficial insects.
Our Practices
What does it mean to be environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically feasible? Here are some examples of the way California’s wine-grape growers help care for the land and people that make a great bottle of wine possible.
Reducing Pesticides – Wine-grape growers use a variety of tools to reduce their use of pesticides and herbicides, including integrated pest management, leaf removal and introducing predator insects and animals to control vineyard pests.
Conserving Water – A precious natural resource, water needs to be managed as effectively and efficiently as possible, and wine-grape growers throughout California have adopted water-conserving and deficit-irrigation systems that use soil moisture sensors and plant stress monitors to determine the proper level of water application.
Enhancing Soils – Healthy soil is the foundation of a high-quality vineyard, and growers use a number of techniques to maintain vibrant, nutrient-rich soil, including planting cover crops to build organic matter, composting and minimizing compaction by limiting tractor passes.
Restoring Habitats – Today, vineyards in California are designed and maintained with the larger ecosystem in mind; preserving oak woodlands and aquatic habitats, and creating nest boxes for owls, raptors and other birds is “business as usual.” California wine-grape growers are at the forefront of habitat restoration and preservation efforts, working with government agencies to establish conservation easements and restore watersheds.
Conserving Energy – Wine-grape growers and vintners are increasingly turning to solar power as an energy source in both the vineyard and the winery. The use of alternative fuel sources to power farm equipment, particularly bio-diesel, is also on the rise.
Treating Employees Well – California wine-grape growers understand that attracting and maintaining excellent employees is a key ingredient to success, and they routinely implement “best practice” programs such as salary surveys, bonus systems, performance reviews, continuing education and professional development programs.
