In 2020 when the pandemic hit, there was much uncertainty, but one thing was clear: people lost their jobs and were struggling to provide enough food for their families. At the same time, we had about 13 acres of vineyard land resting fallow before we replanted the next year. We have a longstanding family tradition of supporting a nearby food bank by donating our extra fruits and vegetables, so the empty field got us thinking…let’s plant a garden specifically to supply produce for those in need. It has now become a permanent fixture at Hafner Vineyard and yielded more than 8,800 pounds of produce for people in need. 

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In farming, we generally have a plan, but that is often dictated by weather. That was certainly the case last week as we started seeding our cover crop. We've been in a drought and were pleased to see the forecast for rain. However, that meant consolidating five days worth of work into hopefully two! This type of situation is one I thrive in. For me, work is a lifestyle and farming is about dedication, determination and focus. We knew what needed to be done and we did our best. We hope you enjoy reading about our two days of race against the rain and a wonderful surprise of dinner delivery on the tractor. 

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We have 250 acres here in Alexander Valley. Of those about 100 are cultivated to vines on the valley floor. The rest are oak woodlands in the hills that we leave for the wildlife. We often wonder what critters call this land their home. Occasionally we’ll cross paths with a deer (often two!) or see a jack rabbit dart through the vineyard or an egret fly to the creek or even a coyote trot up the hillside. We know there must be more, so we set a wildlife camera in various locations around the ranch, hoping to catch a glimpse of the animals. I also took some drone footage high over the hills and created a short film for you to see our furry and feathered neighbors. 

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Since last year's Kincade Fire reached our hillsides, threatening the winery, vineyard and homes, we have taken many actions to prepare for future fires. Fire officials suggest two main goals for preparing for a wildfire: 1. Create “defensible space” and 2. “Harden structures”.  We took these recommendations and made several changes that we hope will help when the next wildfire comes our way. California has experienced devastating fires these past years. Five out of the six largest fires in California history occurred just this year. As the climate continues to become drier and hotter with stronger winds, we can only predict that massive fires will continue. All of us on the West Coast and in many other areas are faced with this annual challenge. Together, hopefully, we can work to make a difference.

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Here at Hafner Vineyard, we are always looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint - whether it be sourcing 100% local and renewable energy, shipping all packages carbon neutral (at no cost to our patrons), being certified sustainable in the vineyard and winery or  always trying to do the right thing. Thanks to an incentive offered by the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control Board, we installed two electric car chargers that are available to employees, patrons and suppliers when they visit. 

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