ORGANIC PRACTICES

Soils and moisture
Badger Mountain soils are of volcanic origin. Our average annual rainfall is 6 inches, 95% of it occurring between November and March. With our irrigation we can maintain a controlled environment of watering, another natural tool in controlling vine vigor and crop yields
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Vines
The vines are trellised upright, using the Scott-Henry trellis, which improves sun penetration and air movement, developing character and balance in the grapes. Crop and shoot thinning controls vigor and limits yields, increasing flavors and aromas in the finished wines.


Pest Fan

Under USDA guidelines we are severely limited in approaches that we can take to control “bad bugs” that sometimes invade the vineyard. In order to control harmful cutworms that attack the vines, Bill devised a huge and powerful fan that fits snugly on the back of a tractor. This fan blows the worms into netting that has been draped on the other side of the rows, so we can dispose of the “bad guys” properly.

Insect control

The vineyard is monitored weekly. Our goals are to create a good habitat for predatory insects (the good guys), and a poor habitat for the bad guys that damage the grapes. If the bad guys are overwhelming the good guys, we take corrective action to balance the battle, such as applying natural soap compounds (Safer Soap) and other all-natural materials, instead of pesticides.
Natural Soaps
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Natural soaps are on the USDA list of approved organic materials that can be used on the vineyard. These all natural compounds are applied directly to the challenged area, often by hand, in order to maximize their effectiveness
Weed Burner
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Bill’s newest addition to the vineyard’s natural arsenal, this weed burner uses fuel from a propane tank mounted on a small but powerful energy efficient tractor. The fuel is sent to small burn blades which can be directed at specific troublesome weeds in the vineyard.
Cover Crops
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Our vineyard is robust with natural vetch and rye that thrive between the rows of vines. These particular crops help increase the natural nitrogen and hummus that is found in the soil. The cover crops also attract many of the “good guy” insects to the vineyard. It is a very healthy and “alive” location, which facilitates the healthy lifecycle of the vineyard. In the late summer and fall, these cover crops become dormant, such that all of the nutrients can go towards the vine.
In Row Cultivator

The European designed in-row cultivator mimics hoe plowing and allows us to keep control of the weeds and if necessary, the cover crop. This replaces the need for any herbicides for weed control, which is not allowed under USDA organic guidelines.
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Fertility
All pomace (grape skins and seeds after crushing) is composted and returned to the vineyards. Cover crops of vetch and rye are grown between the vine rows for nitrogen and humus. Additionally, all-natural blood meal and fish meal are added as needed for nitrogen and other trace elements. These natural, organic fertilizers are used instead of synthetic fertilizers.