Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/210765
GRAPEGROWING as much as possible during this final stage of the journey. W&V: As vineyard machinery gets more complex, training the workforce can be a challenge. What advice would you give to other growers about this? McIntyre: Task your area grape or wine association to solicit your local junior college to provide instructional programs specific to your industry's needs. This has worked quite well here in the Salinas Valley, at Hartnell College. Alternatively, assemble a group of companies or an organization such as the (Central Coast) Vineyard Team to provide privately funded group training in the appropriate language. W&V: Although you farm organically and/or Biodynamically for some clients, you prefer to practice sustainable viticulture. Why? McIntyre: Our operation has vineyards that are certified under the Sustainability in Practice (SIP) and Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing programs. Currently, we have decided to use just the SIP program for our certification needs, primarily because it is local and I was involved in its formation. I believe we need to embrace, promote and define sustainable agriculture that combines beneficial, scientifically proven practices from conventional, organic and Biodynamic farming systems that considers all the cumulative impacts of our decisions. The process of adoption would be a dynamic one, since science is a self-correcting discipline. "We need metrics to evaluate our progress, but to set standards will place practitioners once again within the proverbial box." —Steve McIntyre There are many environmental benefits to certified organic, but what about the extra equipment, diesel, air pollution and compaction required to tend an organic vineyard? Most organic growers use culti- Get the best out of your grapes. The Europress exclusively by Euro-Machines vation to tend to organic weed control instead of herbicides. However, anyone who has tended a garden knows that when you cultivate the weeds they grow back quite rapidly, as opposed to using a contact herbicide, where new weeds take much longer to re-establish. Consequently, an herbicide program has a smaller carbon footprint than an organic cultivation strategy due to the fact it requires less equipment, smaller equipment (that uses less fuel and thereby emits fewer pollutants) and fewer passes to accomplish the same control. Additionally, cultivation releases methane gas, which is 30 times more reactive than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. Studies have also shown greater mycorrhizal and beneficial bacteria activity and populations under non-cultivated vineyard floors. The carbon footprint continues to favor herbicides even when you consider the carbon footprint required to manufacture the herbicide. Unless there is a marketing niche, to adhere strictly to any one farming system such as organic is painting oneself in an expensive box. What if it was discovered and proven scientifically that pine needles spread in the vine row would suppress the growth of the bacteria that causes Pierce's Euro-Machines offers high-quality equipment based on your vision to bring out the best of every vine, with our proven history in the careful handling of grapes and together our love of good wine. Europress 6-320 hl Europress-Cool with cooling jacket Euroselect berry selector Destemmer crushers Sorting equipment Conveyor belts Vibrating tables Custom-made tanks Pumps Braud grape harvesters and much more Euro-Machines, Inc. West: Fairfield, CA 94534 - Phone 707-864-5800 East: Culpeper, VA 22701 - Phone 540-825-5700 info@euromachinesusa.com www.euromachinesusa.com A subsidiary of Scharfenberger Company Germany 56 W in e s & V i ne s DEC E M b e r 20 13