Sheep and Owls and Bees, Oh My!

sheep in grape vineyards eating

Why animal life is crucial to maintaining a Certified Regenerative Organic vineyard. 

Nature isn’t broken. Evolution has created a delicate balance between the plants and animals that make a habitat thrive to its greatest caliber. Consider the giant sequoia trees that live on our California coast – nature has created a system that has allowed them to grow for thousands of years and reach enormous sizes. The old adage ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is certainly applicable here: If nature can succeed in such a dramatic way, why should we humans intervene?

We are proud to be pioneers of Regenerative Organic Farming; each of our five vineyards have been certified by the Regenerative Organic Alliance in March of 2023. This method of farming insists that agricultural land should be viewed as an ecosystem, drawing inspiration from the most successful cultivator in the world: Mother Nature.

 

Nature isn’t broken. Evolution has created a delicate balance between the plants and animals that make a habitat thrive to its greatest caliber. Consider the giant sequoia trees that live on our California coast – nature has created a system that has allowed them to grow for thousands of years and reach enormous sizes. The old adage ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is certainly applicable here: If nature can succeed in such a dramatic way, why should we humans intervene?

We are proud to be pioneers of Regenerative Organic Farming; each of our five vineyards have been certified by the Regenerative Organic Alliance in March of 2023. This method of farming insists that agricultural land should be viewed as an ecosystem, drawing inspiration from the most successful cultivator in the world: Mother Nature.

The way ecosystems naturally function is inherently efficient: many different species of organisms reside together within an area, and each one fulfills a unique role that contributes to the overall health of their environment. Though grapevines and sequoias may seem like apples and oranges, the principles are universal when it comes to all living things: In order to create the healthiest possible environment for our grapes to grow in, they need the presence of other creatures, as they would have in the wild.

 

 This is why we choose not to discourage a whole host of creatures from taking up residence throughout our vines, in fact, we even go to great lengths to attract or raise specific animals that perform important jobs! By ensuring that all our ecosystem jobs are fulfilled, we eliminate the need to use any artificial fertilizers and pesticides, letting nature become the true manager of our vineyards.

So while you might imagine vineyards decorated in blooms of yellow mustard, or even dotted with a handful or two of grazing sheep, A Grgich Hills vineyard has employed even the birds and the bugs!

If you’re interested in learning more about the many ways we’ve created symbiotic relationships with a variety of animal species, stay tuned! This is the first in a series that will explore the diverse array of animals that call our vineyards home. Join us on this journey and see that our vineyards are more than just vines and soil – they are dynamic habitats teeming with life, from the depths of the soil to the blue skies above.

close up of owl face