Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/602988
70 WINES&VINES December 2015 GRAPEGROWING Costs and benefits David Gates, vice president of vineyard opera- tions at Ridge Vineyards based in Cupertino, Calif., began going through the certification process in 2008. Ridge has gradually certified 300 acres of estate vineyards, making it one of the largest organic vineyard owners in Sonoma County and Santa Clara counties. An ingredient labeling pioneer, Ridge re- leased its first vintage with organic labeling in 2015: the 2013 East Bench Zinfandel, which boasts the words "Ingredients: Organic Grapes" on the back of the bottle. Gates said Ridge decided to certify its vine- yards for philosophical reasons, to adhere to better farming practices, and because the win- ery thinks "organic" has clearer messaging and commands more respect in the marketplace than "sustainable." "We wanted to get away from the systemics and herbicides. And there are more and more people who want to know how your grapes are grown. With sustainability, you can't give a three-sentence explanation of what sustain- ability is that means anything. "People trust when you say you're organic. At the beginning, we started to grow organi- cally, but we were not certified. I did not want to be like those wineries that say they're or- ganic, but they're not certified. I decided if we were going to do this, I wanted us to be certified." Kevin Morrissey at Ehlers Estate in St. Hel- ena, Calif., says that being able to display the CCOF roadside signage on Highway 29 is an- other benefit of certification. "I used to feel awkward having the signs out there, like we were bragging, which is not my thing," Morrissey says. "But then, it oc- curred to me that customers see our signs and then they may go into the tasting room next door and ask why they're not organic. So now I like the signs, because I think they're inspiring a conversation, which is great." The CCOF website lists the vineyards and wineries it has certified for consumers to see. Other certifiers do not necessarily provide this information to the public; however all of the SAMPLE RATES FOR THE VINEYARD CERTIFICATION CATEGORY: "INGREDIENTS: ORGANIC GRAPES" Organic Vineyards: Year One Vineyards: Subsequent Years Crop CCOF $325 initial fee + $250-$500 inspection $250-$500 inspection Sliding scale Oregon Tilth $75 initial fee + $399 annual fee + $200 inspection deposit $399 annual fee + $200 inspection deposit Sliding scale Stellar Certification Services* $480 (includes $160 for inspection) $380 (includes $160 for inspection) Flat rate of 0.5% Biodynamic Vineyards: Year One Vineyards: Subsequent Years Crop Demeter USA* $480 (includes $160 for inspection) $380 (includes $160 for inspection) Flat rate of 0.5% *A single certification entitles clients to use the logos for Stellar Certification Services and/or Demeter USA. Largest Manufacturer of Grape Stakes Nationwide Mention promo code JSC2015W&V to receive $10 of every $100 spent on merchandise. Promo Code Expires 12.31.15. Does not include freight. Discount offer not to exceed $500. Restrictions Apply.