herbicide-free case studies

- CASE STUDY VIII -

ESTATE VALLEY

Vineyard area:

~20 Acres in the St. Helena area

Site Characteristics:

Flat, benchland

Tools/Equipment used:

Tractor: Clemens
Handwork: Weed wackers - in-house
Handwork: Shovels - both in-house and contracted

Passes:

2 with Clemens; 1 with weed wackers; 1 with shovels

Organic Herbicides?

Yes, but seldomly. Only used as an early pass to manage weeds when the soil is too wet to avoid tractor compaction.

GRAZING?

No

Tillage?

Standard practice is to till but there is also a small, long-term no-till trial.

Weeds of concern?

Bermuda grass; Yellow Starthistle; Puncturevine

Aesthetics?

Yes, ownership has strong feelings about visual weed management.

Certification(s):

CCOF
Napa Green Vineyard

Undervine Weed Management Costs:

Tractor w/Clemens
Labor: $800/pass
Fuel: $500/pass 2x a year = $163/Acre/Year
Handwork, Weedeater 4-5 Days = $119/Acre/Year
Handwork, Shovel 12 Hours = $18/Acre/Year
Handwork, Shovel, VMC = $318/Acre/Year
Annual Total Undervine Management = $618 /Acre/Year