Respect for Nature and the Land Results in Wines of Great Balance and Grace
At Knights Bridge, we believe balance is the key to healthy vines and superior wines. We seek to preserve and support the natural resources of our land to allow future generations the same opportunities to farm what we farm today. Working with nature, not against it, we strive to bring out the best in our soils, vines, and ultimately our wines. Our Estate hillside vineyards are carefully tended using low impact, ecosystem-centered, sustainable vineyard practices, and the vineyards we source from use similar practices. In September 2011 we were certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winemaking Alliance.
To keep our soil healthy and productive, we enrich our vineyards with organic additions. This includes organic mulch, grape pumice for full-circle recycling of grapes going back into the land to nourish the next growing season, crushed stone (e.g., lime), and a slurry of molasses infused with soil microorganisms to add life-giving organisms back to the soils. We also provide "biodynamically-inspired" additions to our compost as needed, which can include chamomile (stabilizes nitrogen in compost and stimulates plant growth), yarrow (aids in absorption of trace nutrients), cow horns and manure (stimulates root activity and photosynthesis and encourages growth of micro-organisms and other life within soil), nettle (provides nutrition in compost), oak bark (combats disease in compost), dandelion (attracts beneficial cosmic influences), and horsetail (prevents fungus formation). To suppress problematic weeds we use natural cover crops, mixes of clovers, legumes, cereals and other low growing grasses to maintain a healthy balance between soil and vine; ensuring a diverse environment for beneficial macro and micro flora and fauna.
We continue to preserve and enhance the existing habitats and natural riparian corridors that surround and help frame our vineyards. These natural hedgerows and open spaces support beneficial insects and animals that help us maintain a balanced approach to pest management. By fencing the vineyards in, not the animals out, we can maintain wildlife corridors for wildlife to access creeks and streams. By adding owl boxes at strategic points on our property, we can help to control gophers, field mice and other rodents naturally, without the use of pesticides.
To conserve water, irrigation is methodically tracked using both stationary and portable pressure sensors to monitor water stress in the vines, while drip systems are used to ensure no water is wasted. To encourage that winter rains resupply the local aquifer, winter sods, straw bales and other germinating products are used to prevent water run-off and soil erosion.
These practices highlight our larger philosophy: treating the land and our wines as living organisms results in balanced vineyards and spectacular, graceful wines that show a strong sense of place.