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Founded in 1968, Fetzer Vineyards has been championing sustainable and organic farming practices since the 1980s. In years since, Fetzer Vineyards has continued to innovate, experiment and seek out new methods to improve its sustainable wine-growing, working in collaboration with University of California scientists and extension specialists. These methods have helped ensure long-term health of the soil, vines, and ecosystem, while producing flavorful, premium quality grapes and wines for today’s table. Fetzer Vineyards crafts the Fetzer and Bonterra Organic Vineyards brands, in addition to a number of other premium wines from California grapes.
 

Regenerative Agriculture 

Regenerative agriculture helps to increase the health and fertility of our soils and our environment year after year, as compared to conventional farming, which uses synthetic chemicals that deplete the health of soils and pollute the environment. The health of the soil, the vines, and the surrounding environment is further enhanced by adding compost produced from leftover grape skins, stems, and seeds; planting cover crops between the vine rows to protect against soil erosion and attract beneficial insects for pest management; introducing sheep into the vineyards every year for weed management and soil fertility; and planting hedgerows, plants, and trees throughout the vineyards to increase biodiversity. Combined, these management practices improve soil quality and carbon sequestration. 

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Additional Climate Benefits

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The land management practices at Fetzer Vineyards provide additional climate benefits. The company protects and maintains the natural oak woodlands and river habitat on about 45 percent of its property and plants habitat corridors with dozens of species of perennial shrub, grasses and trees to protect riparian zones and harbor beneficial insects and native birds that help with pest control. Not only do these practices provide protect the natural resources upon which the vineyards depend, they also sequester carbon and build resilience to buffer against a changing climate.