The Responsibility of Sustainable Farming

Human awareness has come a long way in regard to the impact we have on our planet.  It wasn't too long ago that the term "organic" was typically associated with hippy communes and radical thinkers.  Those days are no longer, and that is a good thing.  When it comes to the things we consume, it is rare to find produce or a product in the marketplace where there isn't a organic variant, and that includes wine.

At Ricci Vineyards we have been mindful of the footprint we leave on the land ever since the inception of our farming endeavors.  We realize, as with any ecosystem, there is a fragile balance that exists and we do not want to be the hand that tips the scale in any one direction.  Although being organic is one of our ultimate goals, we aren't there quite yet.  In the meantime, we have made it a priority to always strive for the most ethical and sustainable farming practices whenever possible.  In fact, we were one of the first vineyard adopters of utilizing reclaimed, filtered "grey water" for our irrigation needs in Sonoma County.  Also, while we do incorporate the use of chemicals and commercial fertilizer, it is only when we feel it is absolutely necessary. 

We are big believers in letting the biodiversity of the vineyard shape the land and it is quite remarkable the variety of life that exists just in the confines of our property.  Coyotes, jack rabbits, hawks, owls, vultures, egrets, herons, turtles, turkeys, even otters...these are only a few species of many that carve out a niche in the habitat we have created.  Our intention is to protect and sustain the lives that depend on our land however we can.

Until we can declare ourselves truly organic, rest assured that we will continue to employ the best farming practices that are deemed a non-threat to the environment.  After all, we rely on the land, so it only seems fair that the land should rely on us.