Organic Farming in California’s Wine Country
While less than 10% of all wineries in California use some grapes that are organically certified, their numbers are growing. The California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) oversees and regulates organic farming in California Wine Country.
Organic farming maintains the diverse organisms that live in a specific ecosystem. Techniques include using manure for fertilize as well as using earthworms, alfalfa and mustard help to retain the integrity of the soil.
This philosophy also includes avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals to treat vines against pests and diseases. Adherents try to find natural predators to safeguard against certain pests. Beneficial predators such as ladybugs and owls keep pest populations down. Rose bushes can attract pests away from the vines. Chemicals used to kill pests may also kill the pests’ natural predators and cause more problems in the long run.
While there are clear benefits to organic farming, a strong case can be made that methods are simply not feasible in every location that grapes are grown. Some regions may need a degree of inorganic treatments to produce high-quality grapes.
This is particularly true in areas where mildew presents a regular problem. It is also true that producers with a larger financial cushion are often more able to fully pursue organic farming techniques, though this is not always the case.
The philosophy of organic farming is intimately connected to the concept of terroir. Terroir describes not only a vineyard’s inherent physical characteristics, but also the beliefs and actions of the people who tend the soil.
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