Nick Anderson

English 145-09

May 24, 2007

                                     Cal Poly Viticulture: A Sustainable Future?

              The idea that we meet the requirements of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own desires is what best describes sustainability. For the practice of Sustainable Viticulture, also known as grapevine growing, at Cal Poly to meet these criteria, ecological health issues have to be addressed, there is an economic approach that needs to be considered and there is a social structure that must agree and be responsible to the plan.

          Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and other California State University schools, is part of a new Sustainability Policy as of 2006, which encourages the campuses to conserve energy, use renewable power and to build with sustainable practices. To practice sustainable viticulture at Cal Poly, the Wine and Viticulture Department in association with the Agricultural Department, is fulfilling the guidelines of the policy and the beliefs of the students, faculty, staff and community at large.

          Sustainability in the vineyards protects the environment. From the methods of planting that are used, to the proper use of materials for fertilization, to the correct water distribution, and even to providing habitats for native animals that will last for generations all must be considered. The outcome is ensuring the best quality grape that can be grown for the present and for the future. 

        What are the potential benefits of sustainable wine growing practices? First, one must consider the economic benefits. Among these are long-term cost savings, improved wine quality, enhanced value of real estate and enhanced relations with European markets and “green minded” consumers. The environmental benefits consist of long term viability of land and conservation of natural resources. Social equity benefits must also be considered such as enhanced relations with neighbors and communities which in turn enhances the economic viability of the wine community.

Ironstone Vineyards, of Murphys, California, which has practiced sustainable viticulture for nearly thirty years, is already a leader in bio-friendly approaches. According to a recent article published in Market Wire, Joe Valente, Vineyard- Orchard Manager for Ironstone Vineyards and John Kautz Farms states, “Sustainable viticulture is our way of helping protect the environment…As a family winery we want our children and grandchildren to be able to continue farming in an environmentally sensitive way”. At Beringer Vineyards of Napa, California, sustainable practices have been going on for over twenty years. They employ biologists to survey land and protect existing ecosystems, as well as reduce the use of insecticides and pesticides and shifting to more sustainable methods.

         What are the differences between sustainable and biodynamic viticulture practices? According to Vineatrust.com, “Sustainable Viticulture is a more philosophical approach than a set of farming practices”. Biodynamic farming is less philosophical and more practical and includes such practices as adapting the farm to certain biorhythms, such as planting seeds in certain lunar phases and having less impact on the soil by using low impact tractors and other farming machinery”. Organic farming, like biodynamic farming, certifies that the farmer is excluding the use of any synthetic chemicals, but less concern is paid to the “forces” of nature that may influence the vineyard growth. All three of these practices have the commonality of sensitivity to the future of the earth and the people who inhabit it.

There are obstacles in becoming sustainable and most of them appear to be economically based. When converting to a “green” or biodynamic operation there will be more initial expense .With the rising costs of inputs such as fuel and shortages of water, (i.e. rainfall in the last year), there will be expenses that fluctuate. In order to keep a vineyard running and profitable the viticulturist, enologist and business people must devise a plan that is both economically viable and mutually agreeable to their growth desires and quality not quantity of grape. A biodynamic vineyard, which is a holistic farming approach, will have initial start-up expenses. Employing herb-based preparations over chemical preparations, the use of cover crops to maximize the vineyard’s health, crop rotation, and aligning the planting and harvesting with the Earth’s natural rhythms all require time and man power. Close attention to land management around the vineyard is just as important as managing the grapes themselves. The use of water that is UV treated, using tractors and trucks that run on ethanol and building sustainable farm buildings all need to be considered.    

In order to encourage the public to embrace sustainable and eco-friendly changes, vineyards have begun incorporating information about these trends on their wine labels. An example of this can be seen on wine labels from Kautz Farms, owner of Ironstone Vineyards, where they are beginning to include a brief summary of their sustainable practices on the back of their wine label. The hope behind incorporating this information is to inform their customers, and to cater to a certain demographic, that supports the use of fully organic or biodynamic practices. This raises the question, is the use of sustainable practices simply a marketing ploy? Some may feel it is, especially the skeptics. The argument can go both directions, however, by looking at the current state of our environment, the need for eco-friendly approaches cannot be overlooked, not even in the vineyard.

  The Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Program, part of the Cal Poly Agricultural Department, have begun incorporating sustainable practices into the cultivation of their grapes for the past year. According to an interview, conducted by myself with Julian Malone of the Central Coast Vineyard Team, located in Paso Robles, California, they have begun using sustainable techniques at their vineyards. Some of the techniques include “reduced risk pest control, ant bait stations for ant control and several cover crop studies”.  When asked about the current impact sustainability is having on the Wine and Viticulture industry at large he replied, “ Companies like Gallo [associated with Cal Poly Vineyards], and nearby vineyards, have made sustainability a focus in their day to day operations. This can be seen through their adoption of sustainable management systems and ISO 14001 Certification (standards that help minimize operations that adversely affect the environment)...  Many of our growers are hoping to have sustainability certification sometime in the future. Not only does it act as a marketing tool but provides validation for the environmentally friendly approaches that they use”.

While Cal Poly Viticulture is in the beginning stages of sustainable practices, they are on the cutting edge of sustainable and biodynamic techniques in other areas of agriculture. The Sustainability Policy that has been adopted here on campus has had a direct effect on the way the Cal Poly Agricultural Department is operating. The College of Agriculture, which is in charge of the Cal Poly Organic Farm and the Sustainable Agriculture Resource Center (SARC), founded in 2000, have been using natural and environmentally sound processes in their growth and cultivation of their commodities for a number of years, such as the reduction of the use of artificial chemicals and fertilizers, and pest management techniques that are non-invasive to the earth. All of this is done in order to reach the ultimate goal of protection of the farmer, environment and public as well as meeting the requirements of the sustainability policy.

It is obvious that Cal Poly is on the right track for adapting the Wine and Viticulture Department towards a total sustainable approach. Clearly, programs such as SARC and the Organic Farm have much smaller budgets to operate with. However, they have managed to incorporate biodynamic practice into the way they operate their facilities. These two programs can serve as a template for larger vineyards, as well as Cal Poly Agricultural and Viticulture programs, and foster a lifestyle that exemplifies sustainability and generates awareness among young adults, and others, of the fragile world in which we live and the necessity for change.

While the Cal Poly system may be in its infancy, and lacking some curriculum in the area of sustainability, we are making headway. There is an ever growing pressure to be more eco-friendly, and Cal Poly Agriculture is a part of this trend. It is time now to look to the future and realize that organics, biodynamics and sustainability are the wave of the present.

                                                           Bibliography

“ Benzinger Family Winery” 16 May <www.benzinger.com/vineyards/biodynamics.php>

“Beringer Sustainable Practices” 21 May 2007 <www.beringer.com>

California Polytechnic Campus to Host Series of Events Throughout January on Theme 'Sustainability: Resolve to Change the World'" US State News (2007). Lexis Nexis. 16 May 2007.

Campbell, Angus, and Girja Sharma. "Composted Mulch For Sustainable and." www.recycledorganics.com. 2003. The University of New South Wales . 16 May 2007 <http://www.recycledorganics.com/publications/articles/compostedmulch-vitic.pdf>.

Graviet, Pamela. "Iron Stone Vineyards Practices Sustainable Viticulture for Nearly Thirty Years." Market Wire (2007). Lexis Nexis. 16 May 2007.

"Greening Australia." www.greeningaustralia.org. 16 May 2007 <www.greeningaustralia.org>.

Helmintoller, Stuart M. "Cal Poly Organic Farm." www.calpolyorgfarm.com. California .

Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo . 16 May 2007 <www.calpolyorgfarm.com>.

“Potential Benefits of Sustainable Wine Growing Practices” 21 May 2007 <www.wineinstitute.org/programs/swp/benefits.php>

Miller, Vikki , Lorraine Cushnie, and Dan Stewart. "Calling All Green Gurus." Financial Times Information (2007). Lexis Nexis. 16 May 2007. "The Winegrowers' Sustainable Trust." Walla Walla Valley Vinea. 2004. 16 May 2007 <www.vineatrust.com

Malone, Julian. E-Mail interview. 21 May 2007