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GRAPE GRO WING practice, and electronic weather monitoring and disease forecasting is widely used today by California winegrowers. Additional work by UC Davis Extension plant pathologist Doug Gubler helped introduce growers to organically certified materials such as JMS Stylet Oil, Serenade, Sonata and other materials that provided alternatives to sulfur-only programs. Research by the author and others showed that reducing sulfur applications in turn resulted in more biological control of spider mites by predacious mites. Many conventional vineyards now use the same techniques in their sustainable winegrowing systems. Finally, there was a move away from sprinkler irrigation to drip irrigation, which reduced humidity in the vine canopy and other fungal problems such as bunch rot, and allowed more careful water management. Simultaneously, sustainable growers adopted many of the same techniques. Weed control without herbicides Since there were no effective organic herbicides, and conventional herbicides were prohibited by organic certifiers, some organic growers brought out their old French hoe plows and began to use them again. Many of these farmers quickly remembered why they parked them in the first place! New, hydraulic under-the-vine cultivators were commercially developed and trialed by growers. Before long, there were good alternatives to herbicides for organic growers, even though the machinery can be somewhat expensive to purchase, maintain and operate. Organic growers have experimented with sheep to manage the vineyard floor—with very good success in some cases. Sustainable growers also have been inspired to reduce their herbicide use beneath the vine rows, and many are trying new approaches such as using smaller spray strips, just mowing or a glyphosate-only spray program (no pre- emergent herbicides) for weed control. Perception as good neighbors For growers farming close to urban populations, another benefit to organic farming is that its techniques are safer for the environment. There is also a perception that organic winegrowers are trying to work with nature and promote biodiversity. Sustainable growers are adopting many of the same techniques and working to improve the image of winegrowing as a farming system that is environmentally benign while producing a healthy product if consumed in moderation. Good-neighbor techniques include talking about what pest-management practices are being used in the vineyard, how natural enemies of pests are being encouraged, installation of owl boxes and perches for hawks and other raptors. Many winegrowers are showing that they are interested in their communities and the health of the watersheds in which their vineyards are located. So, certified organic vineyard acreage continues to grow in California and the U.S. Many of these environmentally friendly practices that started with organic winegrowing have been adopted by sustainable growers, and the two farming systems show that quality winegrapes and wine can be made while farming with a soft touch on nature. Glenn McGourty is the UC Cooperative Extension winegrowing and plant science advisor for Lake and Mendocino counties. He is the technical editor for the newly released "Organic Winegrowing Manual," published by the University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources division. He also tends a 1-acre vineyard of the aromatic Italian winegrape variety Arneis on his property along the Russian River near Ukiah, Calif. An opportunity for Tasting Room Suppliers A new eNewsletter from Wines & Vines: Tasting Room Focus Sell to your target audience Contact us for more details (866) 453-9701 • winesandvines.com Wines & Vines FeBRUARY 2012 69