We believe that successful farming starts with nurturing an ecosystem, not just a crop. Regenerative Viticulture Practices aim to minimize human intervention while establishing the right conditions to allow nature to self-regulate.
So, what is Regenerative Viticulture?
Regenerative agriculture embraces a long-term vision over short-term vineyard enhancements. It’s a holistic approach to ecosystem health that avoids the traditional pitfalls of monoculture, which often chases short-term gains at the expense of long-lasting, negative implications. Instead, regenerative practices reject the harmful practices of spraying pesticides, herbicides, and other human-intervention methods that strip the soil of its natural, healthy biome.
The essence of the practice is to establish the right conditions to allow nature to lead the way. Key benefits of this approach include natural ways to manage:
- Soil Health: Regenerative viticulture practices optimize soil quality through introducing cover cropping, composting, and reducing tillage. Local wildflowers, grasses, and legumes are introduced as part of the process to regulate soil temperature and establish a healthy microbiome.
- Biodiversity and Pest Control: Planting local cover crops and native plants fosters an environment for local insects and wildlife to flourish, which in turn helps to mitigate pests.
- Water Management: Cover cropping also increases water retention and reduces runoff through its roots systems, which is especially crucial for vineyard health during the hot summer months.
Ultimately, regenerative practices are about learning and returning to the natural processes that nature has perfected over centuries.