Steps Towards a More Sustainable Future
August 3, 2023 (Paso Robles, Calif.) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) awarded the Paso Robles CAB Collective (PRCC) a Conservation Agriculture Planning Grant Program (CAPGP) in the amount of $248,000. The CAPGP is a new program through the CDFA and the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation.
The Paso Robles CAB (Cabernet and Bordeaux) Collective will apply the grant funds to support a variety of sustainable agriculture initiatives aimed at improving the quality and sustainability of Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux winegrape growing in Paso Robles. The areas of research among the PRCC’s member vineyards include Transition to Organic, Pollinator Habitat, Pest Management Conservation, Irrigation Water Management Design, Carbon Farm, and Carbon Sequestration.
“This program will fund the development of 24 site-specific plans to help PRCC member wineries identify actions for climate change mitigation and adaptation while furthering environmental stewardship initiatives in their vineyards,” said PRCC Executive Director Linda Sanpei.
Each of the six areas of research offers specific insights for PRCC member wineries to incorporate into their vineyard management with climate change in mind. The Transition to Organic plans addresses resource concerns for farms transitioning to certified organic production, while Pollinator Habitat plans look at the improvement, protection, restoration, and enhancement of flower-rich habitats that increase diversity in our vineyards. The Pest Management Conservation plan provides actionable steps to manage pests using sustainable approaches to pest control through biological control, insect ecology, natural enemy enhancement, and the applied use of pheromones.
Vineyards focusing on Irrigation Water Management Design will monitor the volume, frequency, and application rate of irrigation water to optimize water use for the future of farming. The Carbon Farm plan is a whole-farm conservation plan that, when implemented, will enhance soil health, increase carbon sequestration, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Carbon Sequestration plan provides a quantitative assessment of carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies in the vineyards.
Spearheading the research are renowned industry experts, including Dr. David Montgomery, Dr. Kent Danne, Tao Orion, and Ian Vietti, who will work with each member winery to develop a plan specific to the needs of the vineyard site.
The Paso Robles CAB Collective previously received the Western SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research Education) grant to create a sustainable agriculture action plan. The results of the study help inform the need and application of future grants such as the CAPGP to make a significant impact for not only PRCC members but also the larger Paso Robles wine community.
The Paso Robles CAB Collective (PRCC) is a 501(c)6 nonprofit agricultural producer group with 24 independent producer members and over 60 wine industry sponsors. For the past decade, the PRCC has dedicated its attention to promoting and marketing wines made from the Cabernet Sauvignon and red Bordeaux (CAB) wine grapes grown by its members and ancillary winegrape growers in the region. With the effects of climate change threatening the growing conditions of these grapes, the PRCC continues to proactively seek opportunities to support the sustainability of its wine-producing members.
The PRCC is a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the full potential of the Paso Robles AVA in producing superior-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and red Bordeaux varietal wines. The distinguished members of the Paso Robles CAB Collective include Allegretto Vineyards & Wines, Ancient Peaks Winery, Brecon Estate, Calcareous Vineyard, Cass Vineyard & Winery, Castoro Cellars, Chateau Margene, Continental Wine Collection, Copia Vineyards and Winery, DAOU Vineyards & Winery, Eberle Winery, Glunz Family Winery & Cellars, Hearst Ranch Winery,High Camp Wines, Hope Family Wines, J. Lohr Vineyard & Wines, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, LXV Wine, McPrice Myers, Opolo Vineyards, Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery, Riboli Family Wines, Robert Hall Winery, SixMileBridge, The Farm Winery, and Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery.
The sponsors of the Paso Robles CAB Collective include Title Sponsor Hood Container, Grapevine Capital, Filipponi & Thompson Drilling, The Somm Journal and The Tasting Panel Magazine, Wine Business Monthly, Agrovin, Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Bank of the Sierra, Borjon Auto Center, The Bottle Meister, Cork Supply, Enartis, Ag West Farm Credit, Fiji Water, Glenn Burdette, Saver Glass, Saxco International, TriCorBraun, World Cooperage; Demptos Napa Cooperage, ETS Laboratories, Encore Glass, H&A Barrel Management, Martinez Farming, Patricia Diane Vineyards, Sanitary Stainless Welding, Seguin Moreau, Tonnellerie Sylvain, Tastry, Tonnellerie Ô, Umpqua Bank, Vintrace, Vinventions, Wine Direct, Wine Shipping, Amcor, AMORIM Cork, ATP Group, Cal Coast Irrigation, G3, JB Dewar, Lafitte Cork & Capsule, Longcrier & Associates, MASilvaUSA, Miller Family, Moss Adams, Paso Robles Tank, ATP Group, Hunter Ranch, Vineyard Professional Services, and Wonderful Nurseries.
ABOUT THE PASO ROBLES CAB COLLECTIVE
Formed in 2012, the Paso Robles CAB (Cabernet and Bordeaux) Collective (PRCC) is an independent collaborative effort of leading Paso Robles growers and producers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals specific to the Paso Robles AVA in California. The PRCC strives to promote to trade, media, and consumers the full potential of the Paso Robles region in producing superior quality, classic and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals that compete on a global stage. For more information, please visit pasoroblescab.com.
