NORTH COUNTY WINEGROWERS Photo by Skye Ravy/VINO
Courtesy of Castoro Cellars
Castoro Cellars recently installed 42 solar panels on its land, as well as one large one on the roof of its events building. Their popular Summer Concert Series is 100 percent solar powered.
Oso Libre uses sheep instead of weed killers in its vineyards. In winter months, the sheep roam the rows, eating weeds and old fruit. The animals also aerate the soil with their hooves.
Photo by Skye Ravy/VINO
Oso Libre Vineyard uses both solar and wind to help power its operation.
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old fruit and weeds: an easy, cost effective, albeit ancient alternative to using chemicals. Another alternative to pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers is the use of cover crops. Cover crops enrich the soil, help to create a balance of “good bugs” and are also an important food source for bees and butterflies. According to some experts, the colony collapse disorder seen in California and beyond was a direct effect of nonsustainable practices, such as destruction of natural habitats and harsh pesticide use. If the bee problem goes unfixed, food chain collapse could be imminent. SIP Certified vineyards also employ the use of owl and bat boxes. Owls and bats are an important part of maintaining healthy land, as they are natural pest controllers. All in all, sustainable farming really comes down to working with the land, rather than against it. Another fa c e t of sustainability is fair treatment for workers. Ancient Peaks Vineyard grows its wine under the SIP guidelines. “There are three tiers of sustainability,” explained Doug Filliponi, one of Ancient Peaks’ owners. “It’s about being environmentally friendly, economically feasible, and there is also the human aspect.”
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Ancient Peaks and other SIP vineyards guarantee their workers a living wage. “They are like a part of our family,” Filliponi said. “We even have a staff garden for them to use.” Ancient Peaks also creates its own compost for the vines and for the garden, and they even have a worm farm. Worms are another natural alternative to chemical farming, and are an important factor in soil health. The third facet of sustainability is economic sustainability. It’s believed that growers, who become a caring steward of the land, are repaid with longevity and consistency. Sustainable farming guarantees a richer soil, and usually a better fruit. In times of drought, water-conscious farming is important. Sometimes methods that conserve water mean lower yields, but farmers have found that it also equates to higher quality. SIP started with only 14 vineyards, and it has grown in the last seven years to nearly 200. “I think it comes down to it just being the right thing to do,” said SIP Certification Manager Beth Vukmanic Lopez. In fact, every vineyard when posed the question of, “why grow sustainably’ gave that same exact answer; that simply put, “It’s the right thing to do.” Winter/Spring 2015
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