Because we are committed to the wellbeing of our people, our special community, and our planet —a pledge that ultimately delivers better wines for our consumers. We believe that making great wines and preserving this special place—from the deepest, coldest bay in California’s wine country to Monterey’s rich biodiversity —are goals that go hand in hand. Our vineyards sit adjacent to the properties of our friends, families and the local farmers who grow the crops we eat each day, so our commitment to conservation is always top of mind.

Constant innovation, whether in the vineyard or winery, helps us maintain this commitment.  We plant our vines more closely together which requires less water and energy use in the vineyard and ensures tighter clusters for more concentrated, higher-quality fruit. From water management in the vineyard and cellar to using natural predators like falcons to manage vineyard pests, to restoring a natural blueline stream on our property (a waterway that diverts rainwater) we are always looking to conserve energy and preserve our land for future generations.

• Land Restoration: Rather than planting vineyards over a natural former stream bed, we restored the blueline stream, providing a natural place for diverting rainwater and maintaining the original environment.
• Water Conservation and Quality: Only drip irrigation is used to conserve water and the energy required to pump it. Winery rinse water from barrels and tanks is reused three times before being recycled for vineyard irrigation. One of the first wineries to introduce high-pressure barrel washers, we are now using 45% less water as a result of our efforts.
• Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy: Since 2008, we have retrofitted winery equipment to reduce our energy intensity nearly 15%. This has reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) associated with winemaking operations. As a next step, we are constructing an 840kW solar PV system at our winery to further decrease the GHGs associated with our electricity consumption.
• Ecosystem Management: Open space corridors allow wildlife to live in and about the vineyard and to travel freely to the natural resources of water, food and shelter. Habitat conservation provides biodiversity. Falconers are used to control rodent damage.
• Integrated Pest Management: Cover crops provide beneficial insect habitat and improve water holding. Leaf pulling reduces disease and we reduce road dust to control mite populations.