Regenerative viticulture is a vineyard management approach that aims to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and build resilience in the fields, while also sequestering carbon and reducing environmental impacts. Through practices that mimic natural processes it focuses on restoring and revitalizing ecosystems.
Regenerative viticulture increases biodiversity, restores soil and plant microbiome, and eliminates the need to introduce toxic pesticides, herbicides, and GMO's into our soils, waters, and grapevines. Equally important are the broader environment benefits. Regenerative agriculture has the potential to reverse climate change by capturing carbon in the soil and removing it from the atmosphere.
How is this done?
In traditional industrial agriculture, the soil is tilled. This practice allows for the most economical farming. Unfortunately this process is terrible for soil health; in addition to toxic tractor emissions it fractures the soil’s natural structure and instigates soil erosion, water runoff, and poor water infiltration. At Peloton Cellars we seed between vine rows with a variety of plants as cover crops that welcome pollinators, increase permeability of soil and defend against undesirable weeds, erosion and the need for pesticides. It helps to reduce the use of excess irrigation helping to conserve our water resources. Simultaneously, these cover crops elevate soil nutrients levels and provide the biodiversity essential to a healthy ecosystem.
We welcome sheep, chickens, geese, pygmy goats, owl & bat boxes and ducks throughout the vineyard. As they stroll and nibble away at pests and weeds, they add nutrient-rich manure to the soil, improve soil health, and further eliminate the need for pesticides and more tractor usage.
Regenerative farming also assists with carbon sequestration. Where plants naturally capture and store, rather than emit into the Earth’s atmosphere, atmospheric carbon dioxide. This contributes to the health of our farming community, local wildlife, neighboring rivers and its inhabitants, and the planet as a whole because it stops the perpetuation of global warming.
We are energetic to be a part of this movement towards a better, healthier earth and will continue our heart felt mission to create wines that are natural, delicious and healthy.