The Vineyards 1

Estate Vineyards

Our estate vineyards – Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills, and Octave – produce some of the most sought-after grapes in the state. Furthermore, these vineyards are leaders in the practice of sustainable agriculture. We are committed to environmental stewardship, implementing the following practices within the vineyards:

 

  • Applying compost tea to restore fungal and microbial components to the soil and feeding the tea with molasses. The compost tea contains living organisms and thus needs to be fed in order to stay alive!
  • Adding compost to the soil to restore the soil humus.
  • Using drip irrigation and buried soil-moisture monitors to ensure we do not waste water by irrigating below the roots of the vines.
  • Leaving some ground cover un-mowed to preserve the habitat for beneficial insects.
  • Planting wild roses and leaving blackberries where they exist to provide winter habitat for a parasitic wasp that attacks leafhoppers.
  • Utilizing organic products such as sulfur and liquid fish oil to replace hard chemicals that control powdery mildew.
  • Winemaker Jean-François Pellet plays an active role in management of the vineyards and is a founding member of the Walla Walla Valley’s sustainable viticulture program, VINEA. The ultimate goal is to make quality wine and leave the soil healthier for future generations.