Sustainability is a lot more than just taking care of grapevines. The sustainable viticulture we practice at Collier Falls involves the integrated management of land, water, vegetation, animals and insects. Our goal is not only to enhance the quality of our fruit, but to preserve and improve the entire ecosystem on and around our property. These continued practices ensure a responsible and viable way of life for ourselves, our neighbors and future generations of Sonoma County winegrowers.
Our commitment to sustainability includes:
Erosion control: All vineyard blocks are terraced to reduce the impact of erosion. Underground drainage, catch basins on every other row and silt ponds below every block collect soil and water run-off, protecting the ecosystem of the natural streams and ponds surrounding our property.
Cover crops: We plant two different types of native grasses (Zorro Fescue and Blando Brome) to stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, and reduce dust and spider mites in the vineyards. We also plant Crimson Clover which attracts beneficial insects and acts as a green manure by adding nitrogen to the soil.
Organic fertilizers: We add a mixture of manure, grape pomace and compost to our vineyard soil to improve soil quality and structure, and to increase the levels of beneficial microorganisms.
Natural pest control: We maintain a completely pesticide free environment. Owl boxes in our vineyards provide homes for native Barn Owls, while Douglas-fir and Redwood trees on our surrounding hillsides serve as raptor perches for hawks and falcons. These bird populations reduce the numbers of gophers and voles in the vineyard. We also release ladybugs on the property which are natural predators of the detrimental spider mite.
Leaf pulling: Removing leaves around the grape clusters improves air circulation throughout the vine canopy, which reduces the risk of bunch rot and allows us to farm without spraying fungicides on the vines. Leaf pulling also helps to reduce the numbers of leafhoppers and mites that may be present.
Water conservation: A well fed by natural underground springs is our water source, and the installation of a drip irrigation system allows us to minimize water usage in the vineyard. This system also lets us add targeted and concentrated amounts of potassium, calcium and nitrogen to the soil.