After the recent fires, we have been particularly aware of the need to reduce fuel near the winery. The Kincade Fire that broke out on the evening of October 24th, 2019 and reached our property in just hours. We have 150 acres of oak woodlands that come right up to the winery and our homes. When considering ways to reduce fuel, we turned to friend and local vineyard manager, Bret Munselle, who has a herd of goats. He was generous enough to bring 35 goats and a beautiful dog named Buddy over to the winery to help nibble away brush, particularly a large patch of the invasive scotch broom. It has been fun to have them here and quite impressive what they are able to eat away.

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Out in the vineyard, we try to use the most natural and sustainable techniques possible. Soil health, both nutrient richness and soil structure, is a crucial component to strengthening the vineyard. The primary way we achieve this is by planting a cover crop. A cover crop is a mix of legumes and beans that fix nitrogen into the soil and increase biomass. Cover crop planting and cultivation requires many steps. One of the most challenging parts is working with the weather Mother Nature provides. No two years are the same. 

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In 2014, the Sonoma County Winegrowers set a goal of being the first county in the country to have 100% sustainably farmed vineyards. Since Day One at Hafner Vineyard, we have focused on minimizing our impact on the environment and farming our 100 acres with the intention of preserving the soil's health for future generations. We were excited that the Winegrowers had sparked this movement, so we joined them. Annually the Winegrowers publish a Sustainability Report detailing the county's progress. We are honored to be included... twice! 

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We also enjoy receiving photos from patrons. Typically those images capture a delicious dinner or a family gathering with Hafner wine on the table. Occasionally though, we hear from patrons who have enjoyed the wine and also have found a creative use for the left over packaging. From birdhouses and herb boxes to storage containers and cork boards, we love seeing our packaging have a second purpose. Here we share a few of our favorites, including one patron who converted our box into a pinhole camera to view the eclipse! As we strive to reduce our footprint, we are grateful that many of you have found another use for the boxes, corks and more. Thanks for sharing the photos! 

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As a business and family, we aim to minimize our impact on the earth, hoping to leave it better than we found it for future generations. Energy use is an area where each of us can make a difference. Installed in 2002 and 2011, our solar panel array yields 38% of our electricity. Together, we felt we wanted to do more. Although the cost of electricity increased, we committed to using 100% local and renewable energy, an option provided through our local utilities company. In addition to purchasing clean energy, this means we are supporting local jobs and infrastructure and also using the available resources around us.

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