Our estate Margarita Vineyard was originally planted by the Robert Mondavi family as a model of sustainability in 2000, and it has been Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified for more than 15 years. And now, once again, we are doubling down on our commitment to eco-friendly farming.
Leading the pack this year is a new flock of 600 sheep (plus 300 lambs!) that is turning heads and clearing the way with low-impact vegetation removal, providing priceless benefits to the health of the vineyard. Says Founding Winemaker Mike Sinor, “It’s proven that when you start farming with animals around your plants, it creates a microbiological environment that is much more vigorous and that makes the wine more interesting.”
Our sheep are provided and managed by a local outfit called California Grazing Company, which specializes in fire suppression services for municipalities. At Santa Margarita Ranch, the animals graze through riparian areas that can’t be mowed by mechanical means, helping minimize excess vegetation and fire hazards.
Even better, the sheep also graze throughout the vineyard, gently removing weeds and overgrowth—providing a perfect alternative to mechanical mowing while reducing herbicide use. “A single mowing pass through Margarita Vineyard takes two weeks of labor as well as fuel, insurance and tractor maintenance,” Mike says. “The sheep will reduce the need for that.”
But the greatest benefit of the sheep isn’t what they consume, but what they leave behind. “The manure from the sheep is pure magic in terms of organic soil nutrition,” Mike says. “It provides bacteria and fungi that you just can’t buy. It moves energy from the soil to the plant, and it improves vine health and resilience.”
The sheep arrived on our ranch late last summer and will continue to rotationally graze throughout this year, adding an exciting new chapter to our passion for sustainable winegrowing.