STEVE MATTHIANSONTitolare Matthiasson Wines

BIODINAMICA E ALTRI APPROCCI:L’ESEMPIO CALIFORNAINO

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Vineyards in Nature:Sustainability Efforts in Napa

Steve Matthiasson

“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…

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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

A Watershed Perspective

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Riparian Restoration 1991-2016

Riverbank Restoration Project

Restored Seasonal Stream

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!

Native Grass No-Till Cover Crop

Native Grass No-Till Cover Crop

Native Grass No-Till Cover Crop

Cover Crop for Spring Tillage

Soil Biological Activity

Designing for Soil Conservation

Erosion from Poor Preparation

Preparing Avenues for Winter

Preparing Avenues for Winter

Water Conservation

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

Vineyard Uniformity

Differential Cover Crop to Balance Vine Vigor and Conserve Water

Sep. 15, 3:00pm - PDTSun Azimuth:224o

Sun Elevation: 46o

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S

EW

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EW6’

26” - 38” Fruit Zone

6’

26” - 38” Fruit Zone

Credit: Mike BobbittMike Bobbitt & Associates(707) 996-1719

Row Orientation to Conserve Water

Crossarms Added for Heat Protection

20”

16”

12”

Shade Cloth for Heat Protection

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

Hedgerows for Biodiversity

Hedgerows for Biodiversity

Hedgerows for Biodiversity

Hedgerows for Biodiversity

Owl Box for Rodent Control

Bluebird boxes and Raptor Perch

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

Thank you for your time!