We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, so this year, we tried something new: we chipped the vines when removing a block of vineyard instead of burning them. The idea is simple: by chipping and incorporating the material back into the soil, we sequester the carbon in the ground instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. We’re hoping it’ll have long-term benefits for the vineyard and for the climate.
We’ve been doing some things in the vineyard that I’m very excited about in our continuing efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. Our biggest investment is an all-electric tractor made by Monarch. The first job for the Monarch was one that I was not anticipating. We converted a block of cordon pruned vines to cane pruned and needed power in the vineyard, so the electric tractor acted as a generator.
We received our Climate Adaptation Certification from the California Land Stewardship Institute. The result is a comprehensive plan specific to Hafner Vineyard that demonstrates how to look at various ways we can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, sequester carbon and promote climate resilience. An exciting result from the report is that we are already carbon negative, sequestering more CO2e than we emit thanks to leaving oak woodlands untouched, vineyard practices of seeding a cover crop, sourcing local and renewable clean energy and more.
Although we have 96 acres of vineyard planted, we have 150 acres in the hills that we leave for the wildlife. This was a decision made by Grandmother and Grandfather and one that successive generations have continued. We know critters are around, but they sure keep a low profile. The best potential sightings are either early in the morning when we arrive to work or later in the evening. When we do spot a wild animal, we feel like we’ve won the lottery. It is an honor for us to share this ranch with them.
Here at Hafner Vineyard, we are always looking at ways we can reduce our carbon footprint and create less waste. We try to look at each step in the process: growing grapes, making wine, bottling it and shipping it to you. Then we consider the final waste… the empty bottle which many people recycle, plus the capsule and the cork. We recycle those as well and we wanted to invite you to join us. Introducing our cork and capsule recycling program! All you need to do is follow a few steps in sorting your corks and capsules, box them up and ship or deliver them to us.
