SUSTAINABLE FARMING

All of our 1,000 acres are farmed sustainably according to  LODI RULES,  a third party certified program created for the Lodi Appellation by a committee of scientists, growers, a wildlife biologist, and farm advisors. These are stringent rules that we currently farm by and have been farming since our great-grandparents began growing wine grapes. It is the care for the land, air, water, habitat, and worker with a long-term vision focusing on farming for the future of the land. We were one of the first growers to receive certification for this program.

For us, sustainability isn’t only about honoring what’s best for the environment, it’s what’s necessary to adapt to an ever changing industry and to create a brighter future for generations to come.

Thank you BioFiltro for the worms and Genzo Pictures for the video!

VINEYARD PRACTICES

OWL BOXES are placed throughout our vineyards to encourage a natural habitat for owls who become the pest control for gophers and meadow voles

COVER CROPS are planted in our vineyards to promote soil health, prevent erosion and increase organic matter which reduces tractor use and dust while promoting healthy air quality

WATER CONSERVATION is achieved with drip irrigation which efficiently irrigates the vines

LAND HABITAT and native plants are preserved to protect endangered species

EMPLOYEES undergo in-depth training to promote efficiency and safety

SOIL is kept healthy with the addition of organic matter and compost

WINERY PRACTICES

ENERGY USE is made efficient with the use of a solar water heater to clean our tanks

SOLAR PANELS cover our entire crushpad to provide natural energy for our winery operations

THE WORM FARM is an energy efficient way to treat our process water for re-use in the vineyard. This system is essentially a 3,000 square foot box full of wood shavings and California Red Worms. On an as needed basis, process water is pumped over the top of the system, and as gravity pulls it down, the worms wiggle around, eating microbes and aerating the system. What comes out is high quality, regenerated water, free of 99% of wastewater contaminants for reuse in the vineyard. The process takes just 4 hours as opposed to the two weeks it takes traditional systems and we’re able to use 95% less energy.