Sustainable Farming on Special Land

As custodians of this spectacular land, our core values and ideals naturally include sustainable farming that seeks to preserve and enhance the health of the land for the enjoyment of future generations. 

Our vines are planted in nature's gift to grapes: dark, rich organic Balake soils with gravelly, silt loam textures that lie above deep layers of sand and gravel deposited during the ancient glacial floods of Lake Missoula 12,000 to 18,000 years ago. 

Other physical properties associated with our vineyard include the southerly facing aspect of the land to maximize sunlight on the grape clusters and canopy leaves, a modest slope to ensure good drainage, and prevailing westerly maritime winds that provide robust air flow through the grapevines and minimize disease pressures.

As part of our sustainable effort, we use Olde English "Babydoll" Southdown sheep as our "organic lawnmowers" in the vineyard during the seasons when the grapes are not too tasty for them to resist. The adorable sheep groom the vineyard rows well and fertilize the soil as they graze. 

Additionally, Babydoll fleece is in the 19 to 22 micron range, which puts the fleece in the class of cashmere and merino. We welcome expressions of interest in the wool, available each spring following our annual shearing of the sheep.