San Rafael, Calif. -- California’s vineyards and wineries can choose from a wealth of options to accredit their green credentials, and in recent weeks, five entities announced certification from three different agencies.

Ancient Peaks Winery in Paso Robles earned for its 966-acre estate Margarita Vineyard at the southern extreme of the Santa Lucia Mountains. The historic vineyard, originally planted to vines by Franciscan missionaries in 1774, uses sustainable practices including deficit irrigation, natural cover crops, wildlife corridors, rotational groundwater use and compost tea to replace synthetic fertilizers.

In order to qualify for the credential developed by the Central Coast Vineyard Team, “Growers must farm in a way that protects both natural and human resources.” They must achieve and document 40 requirements and earn 75% of the available points through implementation of management enhancements; an independent inspector audits practices through onsite inspections. “This certification recognizes what we are doing to ensure natural quality in our wines, and it reflects our passion for being good stewards of the land,” stated Doug Filipponi, co-owner/vineyard manager of the 10,000-case per year winery.

 

Kennewick, Wash. -- Research funding and revenue flows were on the minds of Washington state grapegrowers who met in Kennewick this week for the annual convention of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers.

A move by legislature committee members in Olympia to cut more than $21 million in state support for agricultural research at Washington State University pushed research funding to the top of the agenda. WSU president Elson Floyd on Feb. 3 spoke out against the cuts, which would annihilate agricultural research at WSU as part of efforts to pare the state’s $2.6 billion budget shortfall.

 

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