(April 3, 2025; Sonoma, Calif.)—Building on Ram’s Gate Winery’s thought leadership in sustainability, Owner and Founder Jeff O’Neill has spearheaded a new agroforestry initiative at the estate’s 28-acre vineyard in Sonoma’s Carneros AVA. As part of Ram’s Gate’s long-term vision for responsible land management and stewardship, the team, led by Winemaker Joe Nielsen and Head of Sustainability Caine Thompson, is implementing a two-phased approach to agroforestry that will enhance biodiversity and resiliency in the vineyard.
A small set of wineries across France, led by icons including Château Cheval Blanc in Bordeaux and Ruinart in Champagne, are boldly pioneering agroforestry as a revolutionary force in accelerating diversity in viticulture. Ram’s Gate, standing proudly alongside these global trailblazers, is bringing this same level of innovation to Sonoma, Calif., setting a new standard for the future of farming. Agroforestry is a catalyst for transformation—by planting trees within the vineyards, Ram’s Gate is enhancing soil health, boosting biodiversity, and creating a resilient ecosystem that thrives in the face of climate change. These trees will regulate and protect the vineyard’s microclimate, safeguarding the vines from the effects of a warming climate. In doing so, Ram’s Gate isn’t just protecting its vineyards, it’s securing the future of its wines and leading the charge in building more resilient vineyards that are better equipped for climate change.
The first phase of the initiative involves strategically integrating carefully selected heirloom fruit tree varieties directly into existing vine rows. Together, Thompson and Nielsen worked with Trees of Antiquity, a Paso Robles-based nursery, to select tree varieties that have strong ties to the region including apples, pears, cherry, quince, plum, peach, apricot, fig, nectarine (42 different heirloom cultivars) and began the first stage of planting in March 2025. The initial phase covers nine acres, approximately one-third of the estate vineyard in Carneros AVA, where 50 fruit trees are interplanted per acre within vineyard rows.
Parallel with these efforts, the Ram’s Gate team is actively working toward Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) for its 28-acre estate vineyard through the Regenerative Organic Alliance, which achieved CCOF certification in September 2024. This initiative builds off a commitment set in motion when Nielsen joined the team in 2018; alongside O’Neill, he prioritized transitioning the estate vineyard to certified organic farming. Since then, the team has also implemented a range of sustainable practices, including falconry and owl boxes for natural pest control, grazing sheep for weed management and natural nutrient recycling, and eliminating the use of all synthetic chemicals in the vineyard. By leading the charge in regenerative winegrowing practices, Ram’s Gate is dedicated to driving a new era of sustainable viticulture, setting an unprecedented standard in the region.
“The implementation of agroforestry at Ram’s Gate’s estate vineyard will build a more robust ecosystem—a polyculture that is more diverse and resilient to climate extremes, which in turn will help protect wine style,” says Thompson. “This marks another milestone in our commitment to sustainable winegrowing and aligns with our goal of achieving ROC within the year.”
About Ram’s Gate Winery
Perched upon the rolling hills that define the landscape of the Carneros AVA, where the San Francisco Bay meets the edges of Napa and Sonoma counties, lies Ram’s Gate Winery. Founded in 2011, Ram’s Gate is entering a new era of winemaking excellence. Today, the winery’s portfolio showcases wines that are fresh, compelling and uncompromising in quality sourced from vineyards that encompass the breadth that Sonoma County has to offer. Rooted in a spirit of exploration, the Ram’s Gate Winery team brings a new perspective on refined elegance through thoughtful farming, intentional winemaking, genuine hospitality and sublime culinary experiences. The winery’s connection to the land is reflected in the breathtaking tasting room that overlooks the Ram’s Gate Estate Vineyard: 28-acres of organically farmed vines. The tasting room is currently open Thursday-Monday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations can be made online, and walk-in guests are welcome.
