In Our Vineyards
No herbicide or pesticide use
Elivette designated vineyards completing Organic Certification in 2010
Exclusive use of organic materials
UC-Berkeley partnership for experimental regimen using beneficial insects (SMV was first Napa Valley vineyard to pilot this regimen against vine mealybug in 2006 and continues this successful program)
Building of bird and bat houses in vineyards to encourage species that control pests by natural methods, not chemicals
Vertical Gobelet vine training method used in 70 acres of vineyard
-Vines follow hillside contours
-Replaces erosion-prone terraces
-Preserves topsoil
-Meter by meter spacing @ 4,000+ vines per acre improves yield and quality
-Optimum yields from low-production hillside vines
-Few clusters per vine reduces stress on vine to ripen fruit
-Canopy management on all sides of vine means even ripening and higher wine quality
Exclusive use of organic materials to control mildew
Cover crops sown on hillsides add naturally green fertilizer and preserve topsoil
Composted vine cuttings and plant material is recycled in vineyard and gardens
No till policy in vineyards preserves topsoil
No burn policy preserves air quality
Do no harm policy protects animal habitat and population
Use of sheep to graze on springtime grasses in vineyards means no herbicides or mechanical removal
Efficient, planned equipment passes reduce soil compaction in vineyards
Exclusively hand-picked fruit for block-specific small lot fermentation
Limited clusters per vine reduces vine stress and improves fruit concentration/quality
Conservation of water resources by capturing rainfall and directing into wells
Meticulous irrigation of 350,000 vines for conservation and optimum fruit quality
Use of C-Probe and Pressure Bomb technology to determine exact water needs of each vine improves fruit quality and conserves precious water resources
Placement of rice straw on steep hillsides during winter rains prevents erosion and loss of topsoil
Use of water bars to channel runoff and prevent erosion on steep vineyard slopes
Year round employment of trained vineyard crew provides economic stability and continuity of trained workforce
To learn more about Spring Mountain Vineyard sustainable practices in the garden and winery, or about our journey toward organic certification, please email pr@springmtn.com. |
