NAPA, CA (July 26, 2016) – On July 21, 2016 the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) hosted the highly anticipated Organic Winegrowing Conference, the only one if its kind in the country attracting top quality grape growers and winemakers from Napa and the North Coast and as far away as Oregon, Washington and New Mexico.
This year’s conference was kicked off by keynote speaker Renata Brillinger, Executive Director of the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN), a coalition of sustainable and organic agriculture organizations that seeks to change state and federal policy to advance agriculture’s powerful climate solutions. “California is a global leader on climate change,” remarked Ms. Brillinger, outlining the work CalCAN is doing to address climate change through: the cap-and-trade program, farmland conservation, renewable energy and planning and adapting to climate change.
Ms. Brillinger reported that organic farming practices play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing resilience to climate changes, and storing carbon in soils. “Of any profession I know, farmers are the most adaptable as they are always at the whim of nature having to adapt,” she said. Ms. Brillinger highlighted several organic practices that are climate solutions farmers can use as part of their “tool kit” in carbon sequestration:
- Applying compost
- Protecting or introducing permanent plants (windbreaks, hedgerows)
- Habitat creation
- Water conservation and irrigation efficiency
- Fuel reduction
- Ag waste to produce energy
- Farmland conservation
The day progressed with attendees having the rare opportunity to tour three unique vineyard sites to learn about a wide range of topics on organic farming including:
- Promoting biodiversity in the vineyard
- Economics of farming organically
- Weed management in an organic environment
- Gaining organic certification
- A sommelier perspective on marketing organically farmed wines
- Managing viruses through organic practices
At Grgich Hills Yountville Vineyard, Ivo Jeramaz, Director of Vineyards at Grgich Hills Estate, began by stressing the importance of nourished soil in organic farming and how healthy soil leads to healthy vines. “It is all about the soil. We need to move away from feeding plants to feeding the soil,” he explained. And added that soil properties, including the right proportion of soil organic matter and microbes, are significant. “The more you increase the soil organic matter, the more carbon you are storing and the better the quality of grapes.”
Jeramaz also spoke about the more favorable economics of organic farming, as opposed to conventional methods, noting that while today’s Napa vineyards are replanted approximately every 17-20 years, their organic vineyards are 57 years young. “In the long run, an organic farming system can be more viable and you don’t have to replant every 20 years.”
At Rudd Oakville Estate, Macy Stubstad, Vineyard Manager, and Frederick Ammons, Winemaker, shared practical information on transitioning farming practices for organic certification including what this process entails and the reasons why it is important. They also touched upon organic vineyard development and replanting, as well as geology and terroir. As an example of some of the high-level cutting-edge technology organic growers are employing today, Stubstad spoke about using Powdery Mildew spore trapping technology as a tool to help cut back on fungicide use in the vineyard.
At Matthiasson Vineyard, the focus turned to promoting biodiversity in the vineyard and questions were raised about how to manage pest and disease in organic farming. Steve Matthiasson, Owner of Matthiasson Vineyard, reported using Parasitoid wasps as just one of several approaches to pest management, including creating a habitat for beneficials. Jeramaz also addressed concerns about diseases explaining that while no system is perfect, “There are always signs of virus and other things going on in the vineyard. You cannot sterilize everything. But if the vines are healthy, the virus is not going to manifest itself as it is muted by healthy soil. If it is stressed, it is going to become more visible.”
In addition to farming practices, attention was focused on the consumer market and their perception of wines made from organically grown grapes. “What I’ve learned is that this is still a grey area and while it can be more generationally and geographically driven, it is an important conversation more and more people are having.” said Robin Gerber, Co-Owner of Spotlight Brands. “Many people are still figuring out what it means to be certified versus just growing grapes organically and sustainably,” she added.
The event concluded with a wine reception at the Grgich Hills Estate Victorian where attendees networked and exchanged ideas and information from the day’s events.
For more information about future conferences, please visit www.napagrowers.org or phone (707) 944.8311.
About Napa Valley Grapegrowers
NVG is a non-profit trade organization that has played a vital role in strengthening Napa Valley’s reputation as a world-class viticultural region for 41 years. Its mission is to preserve and promote Napa Valley’s world-class vineyards. NVG represents over 690 Napa County grapegrowers and associated businesses.
For more information, visit www.napagrowers.org
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