| In the wine industry we have a semantics problem | | | | are finding that their vines are healthier, their |
| when it comes to organic wine. The government | | | | production greater, and quality of the harvest is |
| requires that not only must grapes be grown with | | | | higher after conversion to organic methods. |
| only organic pesticides and fertilizer; no added sulfites | | | | Organic Growing Methods |
| may be used. For this reason, there really are no | | | | Farmers committed to organic grape growing must |
| organic wines because sulfur dioxide is basically | | | | swear off all chemicals and go back to the methods |
| mandatory if you are going to sell your wine. Wines | | | | used in the past that worked well for our |
| made without using sulfur dioxide are very unstable | | | | forefathers. Gone are the nitrogen based commercial |
| and most bottles would end up undrinkable. Without | | | | fertilizers now replaced by manure and compost. |
| the sulfites to protect against oxidation and bacteria, | | | | Instead of herbicides, we let the weeds grow and |
| wine spoils in less that one year. Therefore most | | | | mow them leaving them on the ground to |
| wineries promote their wines as "organically grown". | | | | decompose and turn into organic fertilizer. Instead of |
| Actually, the fact that organic methods are used to | | | | the pesticides and fungicides, we promote |
| grow the grapes is the most important thing to | | | | biodiversity which helps control pests and disease by |
| consider both for the quality of the wine, and the | | | | attracting beneficial plants and insects. Many plants |
| impact on our environment. Even with sulfites added, | | | | such as lavender, wheat, clover, and others can be |
| your product will be 99.9% organic, and unless you | | | | planted throughout the vineyard, and they attract |
| are allergic to sulfites which is the case for ½ | | | | many of the pests that would otherwise eat the |
| of 1% of the population, you will be drinking a much | | | | grape leaves. |
| better product. | | | | The Future of Organic Grapes |
| Organic Makes Perfect Sense | | | | There is no doubt that given time to educate grape |
| More farmers of food products are realizing that the | | | | farmers, all grapes will be grown organically. It |
| days of applying routine applications of pesticides, | | | | definitely takes more labor to do this, but this is |
| herbicides and fungicides to their crops are over. | | | | balanced out by the savings on chemicals. University |
| Customers are demanding that the produce they buy | | | | of California in Davis is expanding their research in this |
| be natural because it is healthy and also much better | | | | area and making new discoveries that make this |
| for our environment. This is especially true in California | | | | process even better and more cost effective. The |
| wine country where many of the major players such | | | | real proof is in the final product, and most |
| as Mondavi, Gallo, Beringer, Fetzer, and others have | | | | winemakers agree that the grapes grown in organic |
| made the commitment to eco-friendly farming. In | | | | vineyards produce a better wine. Let's hope that the |
| France and many other wine producing countries this | | | | US government will address their definition of organic |
| trend is also accelerating. Why are grape growers | | | | and allow sulfites to be added so the consumer will |
| leading the charge for organic methods? Because | | | | be able to buy wine labeled Organic as they are in |
| they work better and make better wine. Growers | | | | the rest of the world. |