Cover crops provide many benefits and can have important effects on vineyard balance and vine vigor.
Vintner Julie Johnson has been learning about and using regenerative farming practices at Tres Sabores winery and vineyards for more than 30 years.
These practices include planting cover crops to provide nutrients and add organic matter to the soil, limiting tilling to preserve soil organic matter and prevent erosion, and using sheep to “mow” around the vines (and deposit natural fertilizer).
Recently, she learned that because of these practices, her property is close to being “carbon neutral,” meaning that it is able to sequester the same amount of carbon as what is emitted during farming operations.
“We’ve been able to reduce tractor passes (with their carbon emissions) by switching to crimping — that is, breaking the plant stalks and leaving the plant material in the vineyard rows. We’ve also planted hedgerows and native pollinator plants, which are integral to the vineyard health and sequester even more carbon,” Johnson said.
The goal of becoming carbon neutral and eventually carbon negative, or climate positive, is a cornerstone of the new Napa Green Vineyard certification program being rolled out this spring.
Napa Green, an independent non-profit since late 2019, runs sustainability certification programs for vineyards and wineries. The new certification will take the place of the Napa Green Land program, bringing it to the next level of direct action on climate change and social responsibility.
Anna Brittain, executive director of Napa Green, said, “The original Napa Green Land program launched in 2004 recognized third-party certifications focused on preventing erosion and runoff for the health of the Napa River and watershed. What were leading best practices for many years are now required for environmental compliance. Our commitment is to help our members continue to grow their leadership in sustainability and climate action.”
The new program is the first sustainable winegrowing certification to focus specifically on climate action, regenerative farming, and social equity. It contains six core elements:
Developed with a great deal of input from the agricultural community, the certification’s Social Equity, Justice and Inclusion element builds on common best practices for human resources, workforce and neighbor communications to include deeper standards like implicit bias training, sustainability engagement and opportunities for upward mobility for farmworkers.
Gustavo Aviña, viticulture director at Pine Ridge Vineyards, and member of the social equity working group said, “We had the opportunity as growers to give our input to the program, and to share our ideas, opinions and experience from working the vineyards. This certification will benefit our workers by ensuring workers’ rights, increasing benefits, and giving more opportunities for training.”
“One of the most important requirements is to encourage employees to attend training outside the company,” he added. “For me, the more prepared and educated our workers are, the better we can do as a company.”
Several of the certification elements were developed in partnership with the Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD), including aspects addressing carbon farm plans, irrigation and conservation burning.
“A carbon farm plan makes use of the US Department of Agriculture’s COMET and COMPOST Planners to quantify how different practices impact carbon sequestration, which in turn affects soil health,” said environmental scientist Dr. Miguel Garcia, RCD’s Sustainable Agriculture Program manager. “We look at a lot of parameters to determine soil health, and at the center is its carbon content. A carbon farm plan allows growers to balance practices that put carbon into the ground with those that put carbon into the air—and choose which practices to use.” These practices include adding compost, growing cover crops, and reducing tillage among others, he explained.
With respect to irrigation, Garcia said, “The irrigation assessment has a tremendous value for protecting our water resources so that growers are only using the amount of water they need, which also benefits grape quality. During the assessments, I’ve seen problems come up with old irrigation systems, but most changes needed are minor, for example adjusting water pressure or cleaning out irrigation lines.”
Conservation burning is the minimum required method of pile burning for pulled vines. RCD and Napa Green have been hosting workshops on this technique and will continue to do so.
“Our workshops have been led by Raymond Baltar from the Sonoma Ecology Center. He shows there is an alternative way to burn piles that reduces smoke and air pollution by 75-85% and leaves more material as charcoal,” Garcia said. “By producing this charcoal or biochar, one limits how much material goes into the atmosphere and how much carbon stays on site.”
Julie Johnson of Tres Sabores sees many benefits in the comprehensive new program. “This expands my farm plan and sets a standard for best practices. Here at Tres Sabores, we get such positive feedback from our guests and such engagement and excitement about the regenerative practices we are able to do. Our visitors love discovering growers who are making genuine efforts to be sustainable.”
Making the commitment to third party certification takes time and effort, but it is worth it to demonstrate our commitment to the community and to protect our watershed, our land and the air we breathe.
- Susan Boswell, Chateau Boswell Winery
Book your exquisite food & wine experience at @bcellars this August and support the wonderful work being done in climate smart winemaking!
#winery #winetasting #wineandfood #chef #napa #napavalley #climatesmart #sustainability #winereels #cheers
Thank you to all who came out to @complinewineshop for Vino & Vinyl featuring Napa Green winemakers!
We love getting out into the community and talking all things green!
📸: @tisharoundtown
Book your visit to @sterlingvineyards this August and receive 50% off your tasting while supporting Napa Green! 🍷🚠
#cheers #climatesmartagriculture #winery #napa #napavalley #visitnapavalley #winetrip #winwin
Join these rockstars of winemaking this week at @complinewineshop for Vino & Vinyl night featuring all Napa Green Certified Wineries!
🗓️: Thursday, July 18th
📍: Compline Wine Shop
⏰: 7:00pm
Get your tickets now at the link in our bio! 💃🍷
@tressabores, @ashesxdiamonds, @spottswoodewinery, @closduval, @larkmeadvineyards, @complinewineshop, @tisharoundtown
Plan your tasting at @phiferpavittwine in August! 🍷
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
We are thrilled to officially kick off our ‘Cheers to Climate Smart Wines!’ campaign with the first press release going out and the announcement of the involvement of 21 of our Napa Green Certified members!
Join us in the month of August at a participating winery to celebrate the beautiful harmony & synergy between sustainability and luxury while supporting a great cause!
Full details at the link in our profile. Cheers to Climate Smart Wines!!
You’re invited..
Join us for a fun night featuring some awesome Napa Green wineries! Link in profile for tickets. 🎵🍷
📍: @complinewineshop
🗓️: Thursday 6/18/24 7:00-9:00pm
🎟️: Linked in profile
Plan your tasting at the beautiful new Garden Pavilion at Napa Green Champion winery @whitehalllane!
Help support Napa Green while sipping on delicious Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot amongst the scenic views. Cheers to Climate Smart Wines! 🍷
#napavalley #winereels #sustainability #winetasting #winetrip #visitnapavalley #cheers #vineyardviews #winelovers
Plan your trip to @cliffamily this August for our ‘Cheers to Climate Smart Wines’ campaign!
Clif Family Winery & Farm will be creating a beautiful food and wine tasting menu for the month of August with a percentage going straight to support Napa Green!
Plan your visit to the tasting room, food truck or gorgeous Enoteca Private Tasting Salon in August to enjoy great food & wine while helping to support this important initiative!
#napavalley #sustainability #napa #cheers #winereels #winetasting #visitnapavalley #winebusiness #wineindustry #winetrip
We’re thrilled to announce our ‘Cheers to Climate Smart Wines’ campaign starting in August!
Several of our champion members will be curating special offerings to support Napa Green and highlight the brilliant work being done in Climate Action here in Napa Valley.
Join us this August and visit @spottswoodewinery & @mkshepp!
Economics of Organics on June 25th at @grgichhills. Register at the link in our bio.
🎙️: @soilrainandhope
🎞️: @mvino1
Team Green outing today at the stunning @boeschenvineyards as we celebrate big things that we can’t wait to share with you! 🌿
One of the main resistances to phasing out glyphosate is increased labor and equipment costs. However, the costs of herbicides and fertilizers have risen dramatically, so increased labor demands can be offset by reduced supply chain purchases.
In addition, leaders like Grgich Hills Estate have shown that regenerative organic farming can be cost-effective. According to an analysis by Brotemarkle Davis & Co. LLP accounting firm, the average annual per acre cost of vineyard management in the Napa Valley is $14,800, with $3,800 in depreciation. At Grgich, they spend $11,000 per acre, with only $1,300 in depreciation due to the longer life of their vineyards.
Learn from regional leaders about the practical costs, benefits, and ROI of herbicide-free, organic, and regenerative vineyard management.
Confirmed Speakers:
• Ivo Jeramaz, Grgich Hills
• Phil Coturri, Enterprise Vineyard Management & Winery Sixteen 600
• Brad Kurtz, Gloria Ferrer
• Brenae Royal, St. Supery
• Rebekah Wineburg, Quintessa
Register at the link in our bio.
“Storytelling is key… and sustainability is the most important topic in wine.”
Thank you @elinmccoy for an incredible and insightful conversation with @napagreen members about the stories most likely to capture journalists attention.