About

Vineyard Environmental Leadership Practices

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

TFE has for many years been a leading practitioner of sustainable farming. All mature company vineyards are farmed sustainably, avoiding the use of harsh chemicals and aggressive fertilizers, and incorporating Integrated Pest Management techniques to naturally control vineyard pest problems.

TFE has for many years been a leading practitioner of sustainable farming.

Todd Berg, TFE's in-house Pest Control Advisor for company vineyards in Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Napa, and Santa Barbara counties, has been nominated for California's IPM Innovator Award, for his work in suppressing mite damage to vines by rearing predator mite populations, which consume the destructive mites. Todd has also received a grant from the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture to initiate a project to remove non-native plants hosting Pierce's Disease from riparian environments adjacent to the Napa River, which will both enhance native vegetation and fish habitats along the river and reduce the likelihood of the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter settling in Napa Valley.

Other TFE vineyard personnel, such as Bart Haycraft, Pest Control Advisor for vineyards south of Sacramento, are working with the state to develop new pest suppression strategies, such as planting French prune trees near vineyards to harbor the anagrus wasp, a natural predator of the leafhopper.

By 2000, TFE had reduced its vineyard use of elemental sulfur by 75%.

Chemical Usage

TFE does not use synthetic pesticides and insecticides in company vineyards. Instead, we combat nematode, phylloxera, and other pest problems by planting high-quality resistant rootstocks. TFE vineyard managers are working with the state and the agriculture industry to develop benign chemical pest suppresants. By 2000, TFE had reduced its vineyard use of elemental sulfur by 75%.

Botanical Oils

Oils extracted from plants are applied to the vines as a benign way of suppressing pest populations and early-season mite activity. The oils create a natural barrier between vine vegetation and spider mites and their eggs, and leafhoppers. They also combat mildew.

Covercropping

TFE grows cover crops in its vineyards. The goal is to naturally supplement the use of compost and IPM. Cover crops, such as barley and oats, also provide habitats for beneficial pests and helps reduce soil erosion. Tree Planting and Other Habitat Improvements At TFE's Los Alamos Ranch, we have planted over three thousand oak trees. In many of our vineyards, we have established natural grass greenbelts and lakes, which provide additional habitats for beneficial insects.

TFE harvests the majority of its fruit at night, when it is cooler, reducing the need for refrigeration.

Irrigation Water

Wastewater from the wine production process is treated and recycled into landscaping and vineyards for irrigation. Additionally, TFE has a contract with the city of American Canyon to use its treated wastewater as a supplemental irrigation supply. TFE uses drip irrigation to insure efficient use of water and to minimize impact on the landscape.

Composting

TFE annually composts its established vineyards with up to 7,000 tons of grape pomace from the fruit it processes in Napa Valley. Night Harvesting To save energy cooling freshly picked grapes, TFE harvests the majority of its fruit at night, when it is cooler, reducing the need for refrigeration.