Holistic Farming in Winemaking
The Wine CEO Podcast Episode 109
Listen now on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, and more!
Friends, this was such a good episode! I interview Jon Priest of Etude Wines to talk all about the healthy, sustainable farming practices taking place at Etude Wines in Carneros, California. They truly are at the forefront of holistic farming, which has been part of the ethos of Etude Wines since the beginning. Holistic farming is being respectful to the land - looking at soil health, taking into account the biodiversity of the vineyard, being respectful to the neighbors, etc. Truly amazing!
Consumers are so much more aware about how our food and beverages are being produced and we’re looking for more clean methods of production. Etude wines definitely cares about this too! Not only are they responded to the climate and current conditions, like the recent flooding in California, which affected them, but there is also my favorite way that they interact with the environment - through sheep! Yes, you read that right, Etude Wines partners with a local sheep outfit to have shepherds come through the vineyard with their sheep to graze on the grass and weeds, which can then keep the vines healthy as they grow before harvest.
Etude Wines is also following sustainable practices in the wine-making process. They are measuring how much carbon they emit and looking at their water footprint to be mindful of how they can keep caring for the earth. One of the improvements that they’ve made is through electric tractors. Making changes like this can really help protect the microclimate in the Carneros region. They’re also partnering with the community by providing materials like their corks to schools in the area for art projects, having a wellness garden for their employees and the local food bank, and they compost their musk and grape skin to then reuse on the vineyard.
Jon was such a fabulous guest to have on the show and I enjoyed hearing more about holistic farming at Etude Wines. Toward the end of the episode, I was able to try a few of their wines and I was so impressed! I tried the Etude Chardonnay and two Pinot Noirs, the Grace Benoist Estate Pinot Noir and the Grace Benoist Estate Heirloom Pinot Noir, both 2019 vintages. The Chardonnay was unlike any other California Chardonnay that I have ever tried! It doesn’t have the overpowering oaky, buttery, vanilla flavors that are usually associated with California Chardonnay, but it was so light, crisp, and refreshing! Both of the Pinot Noirs were also amazing and so different too. Because of the unique microclimate in Carneros, these Pinot Noirs are also so different than your normal California Pinot Noirs, with great body, acid, and deep fruit flavors. These wines truly are amazing!
If you haven’t yet listened to this episode then you’re in for a real treat. I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with Jon as much as I loved getting to interview him for the podcast!
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