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COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability has been a core value at V. Sattui throughout all aspects of Winery and vineyard operations since it was founded in 1976. As a California Certified Sustainable winery, V. Sattui’s commitment to stewardship of the land is inherent in all techniques it employs from soil and vine to the bottle.
Throughout the Winery, energy conservation is prioritized from the use of solar power to adherence to a stringent composting and glass recycling program and the selection of organic and biodegradable products to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
The viticulture team is constantly evaluating the environmental impact of its farming practices. Certified through the Fish-Friendly Farming program, V. Sattui introduces beneficial predators and organisms in the vineyards to reduce the need for use of damaging pesticides or herbicides, in line with its commitment to preserving natural wildlife habitats. This dedication extends beyond the Winery to a family of private grape growers who tend their vineyards with the same care and concern required to make the distinctive wines for which V. Sattui is known.
VITTORIO’S VINEYARD, ST. HELENA: The original Estate vineyard property of V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, adjacent to the Winery itself. It is currently planted to seven varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon comprising well over half of the 34 acres. As of the 2012 vintage, Vittorio’s Vineyard is USDA Certified Organic, and so our Vittorio’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, from that vintage, is our first estate wine that will be entitled to use the designation.
“We’ve always tried to take a proactive role in preserving the health of the lands we have,” explains vineyard consultant Larry Bradley. “Vittorio’s has actually been organic for the past five seasons, but the process of certification takes a while.” What this means is that no chemicals or inorganic fertilizers are used that could leach into the groundwater. “This of course is more costly,” says Larry, “but we believe we’re doing the right thing and that the resulting wines will be more flavorful.”
The spacing between Vittorio’s vines have been planted with all organic cover crops, mostly bell beans and other legumes and grasses. “Green manures,” as Larry describes them. “We want lean soils,” he says, “and we supplement the weaker areas with fish emulsions and other organic composts.”
BLACK-SEARS VINEYARD, HOWELL MOUNTAIN: At just over 2400 feet, it is among the highest vineyards in all of Napa Valley. The unique climate of Howell Mountain produces wines with a firm structure, intense fruit flavors, earthy spice, and round acidity. The ashy, iron-laden soils are perfectly suited for growing full-bodied, peppery Zinfandel that have inspired a dedicated following from many V. Sattui fans. The Black-Sears family is committed to caring for the land they call home, farming organically and biodynamically in the vineyard and in their orchards and gardens. Wine lovers who have enjoyed the fruit and the wines of the Black-Sears vines will testify: “there’s just something special about that vineyard.”
What is “biodynamic” farming?
Biodynamic agriculture is a method of organic farming that treats farms as unified and individual organisms, emphasizing balancing the holistic development and interrelationship of the soil, plants, and animals as a self-nourishing system.
Regarded by many as the first modern ecological farming system, biodynamic farming has much in common with other organic approaches, such as emphasizing the use of manures and composts and excluding the use of artificial chemicals on soil and plants. Methods unique to the biodynamic approach include the use of fermented herbal and mineral preparations as compost additives and field sprays (preparations 500-508), and the use of an astronomical sowing and planting calendar.
Q: “Are you guys crazy, practicing this voodoo?”
A: “Yes. But crazy people grow the best wines.”
THE PEOPLE: The value of sustainability extends beyond the ecological sense of the word, and into the ethos of employee (and guest) relations at V. Sattui, where members of the staff are valued highly and treated like family. The environment at V. Sattui provides such a healthy work/life balance that it isn’t uncommon for employees to stay with the winery for decades.
V. Sattui is committed to all changes resulting in the preservation of the habitat for generations to come. We’re very excited about participating in preserving our vineyard land and watershed, reinforcing the idea that we not just see the vineyards for the vines, but for all the living things that share our ecosystem.
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We invite you to celebrate Earth Day every day with V. Sattui Winery!
