Sustainability

At Trecini, we farm Vicini Vineyards in accordance with “The Code of Sustainable Wine Growing Practices”. It is built on the idea that Environmentally Sound Practices, Economic Feasibility, and being Socially Equitable are not mutually exclusive. It is a voluntary self-assessment tool for vintners on how to conserve natural resources for the vineyards and local ecosystem, protect the overall environment, and work with the local community to improve the health and overall awareness of the environment. By following the code and developing a sustainable vineyard, the tangible benefits are: long-term viability of the land, improved wine quality, improved California wine market, conservation of natural resources, improved farm health and well-being, relationship with winery employees, and neighbors, and the development of a set of practices that can help the environment and the wine business.

From a viticultural perspective, the vine canopy is maintained to promote maximum grape quality and minimum disease pressure. This results in reduced use of fungicides and chemicals. The chemicals applied to Vicini Vineyard are all certified organic materials through bloom. At bloom, we do not use non-organic materials, but they are low toxicity, lower than sulfur, which is a certified organic material. One reason our vineyard management team switched to the non-organic materials is because they last longer in the vineyard. One of the principles of sustainable farming is to make minimum tractor passes through the vineyard. Tractors produce carbon emissions, but they also compact the soil. Soil health is the number one issue in long-term agricultural sustainability, which is why John and the vineyard management team use soil composts. By monitoring the mildew index and using advanced equipment and long lasting, low toxicity materials, our vineyard managers limit abrasive spraying which helps the environment and our vines.

Visit www.sustainablewinegrowing.org for more information.