CRU FARMING
Currently we utilize 6 separate regional teams to farm more than 19,000 acres throughout Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Napa and Lake Counties. Every vineyard is unique and should be farmed accordingly. Our two “Crus” of farming protocols – Grand Cru and Premier Cru – allow us to minimize the risk that comes with every unique terroir, (everything we can’t control) to accommodate and balance the desires of the winery and client. It ensures that grapes destined for a $100 bottle will be farmed differently than those intended for a $15 wine.
Grand Cru Farming
Superior sites can only yield superior grapes if they are farmed accordingly. For blocks and sub-blocks intended for luxury-class wines we utilize site-specific, labor-intensive programs, encourage sustainable, balanced vines, moderate yields, uniform ripening to enhance aromatics, concentrate flavors and secondary metabolites. We farm on a vine-by- vine basis using traditional and progressive practices including best management practices (BMP) from organic and biodynamic systems, to ensure that each plant and its progeny is healthy, hearty and vital. While these techniques are not inexpensive, our size, experience and efficiency allow us to keep expenses reasonable.
Premier Cru Farming
Not all blocks are destined for luxury-class wines. Some sites are best suited for premium-class and everyday wines. For these vineyards, our goal is to maintain the health of the site, especially the soil microbiome and enhance the overall quality and character of the fruit. Using sustainable and regenerative methods, we can tailor crop levels to enhance structural secondary metabolites and flavor precursors for discerning winemakers.