“Think Globally, Act Locally”
• Napa Valley• 4% of California wine
• 0.4% of global wine
• Mediterranean climate (wet winter/dry summer)
• 95% of wineries are family owned
• 90% of Napa land is under permanent protection from development
• Long narrow valley flanked by wild forests
• Current focus must be sustainability of land…
Sustainability Programs in Napa
• Napa Green
• Fish Friendly Farming
• LandSmart
• California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
• Certified Organic Farming
• Biodynamic Farming
• Over 50% of vineyard area certified by one or more programs
Sustainability Areas of Focus
• Restoring riparian areas
• Soil conservation and health
• Water conservation
• Minimizing chemical use
• Increasing habitat and biodiversity
• Carbon footprint
• A “watershed perspective”- Streams, rivers, bay/delta, ocean
Soil Conservation Starts withBuilding Organic Matter
• Improve soil available water holding capacity
• Reduce compaction and improve infiltration
• Buffer pH and salts
• Reduce leaching of nutrients
• Improve root tolerance to soil pests
• Reduce soil erosion
• Offset carbon from the atmosphere
• Cover crops build soil organic matter!
Soil Organic Matter for Water Conservation
• Increase of 1% soil organic matter increases thewater-holding capacity by 254,000 liters per hectare
• One of the many ways that soil quality, wine quality,preparing for climate change, improving theenvironment, and minimizing risk all work together
Sep. 15, 3:00pm - PDTSun Azimuth:224o
Sun Elevation: 46o
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26” - 38” Fruit Zone
6’
26” - 38” Fruit Zone
Credit: Mike BobbittMike Bobbitt & Associates(707) 996-1719
Row Orientation to Conserve Water
Habitat for Biodiversity
• Insectaries for beneficial insect populations
• Pollinators for native plants and crops
• Habitat for wildlife
• Mitigate problems with monoculture farming
• Enhance beauty and quality of life
Areas For Future Sustainability
• Electric tractors for solar farming
• Organic systemic herbicides
• More research on biological controls
• Long-lasting organic insecticides that are selective and safe for pollinators and other beneficials
• Public funding for habitat restoration