Good stewardship of the land means we farm your vineyard with both short-term and long-term goals in mind. We balance your needs to achieve target price goals for your grapes as well as to ensure our farming practices provide a healthy contribution to sustenance of the land over many generations. Here are a few answers to our frequently asked questions:
Q: How many are there in your crew?
A: Crew size is dependent upon the acreage to manage and the task at hand. It doesn’t take nearly as many men to set up trellising or solve an irrigation problem as it does to drop fruit on 20 acres of Cabernet. At harvest we put on additional crews since the demand for handpicking is so high. We’ll have as many as we need on your property.
Q: How often is your crew in the vineyard?
A: We may spend several days in an established block re-trellising significant tracks of vines if your winemaker requests it. On the other hand, evaluation and soil assessment do not require the same crew for a new or repurposed plot of land. The frequency of our hands-on farming will vary dramatically from time of year to climate conditions, from deterring newly arrived starling birds from eating the crop, to veraison.
Q: How do I know GCVM will be there whether rain, frost, or sudden gopher infestation when I call?
A: The hallmark of GCVM is that we’re only as good as our word. In our business that means we’re there at 1 a.m. for the frost call. We’re there if there’s a sudden break in the irrigation line on the weekend. And we’re there to drop fruit on 50% of the block when your winemaker requests thinning. It’s what we do. We show up and get it done.
Q: Are you certified to farm our Organic vineyards?
A: Yes! We are completely versed in and practice many different farming methods to meet certification requirements. Just ask us for details.
Q: Do you spray for pests or disease as soon as there’s a sign of infestation?
A: Pest and disease management is an art. Some clients prefer us to hold back to see how neighboring vineyards are managing a similar pest problem. Other clients prefer aggressive mitigation. And sometimes it’s best to wait for financial reasons as well as to see if the vine’s own defenses are spurred into action. This is a decision we should make together.
Q: Do you recommend planting cover crops? It’s an added expense.
A: Cover crops aid in preventing soil erosion. They retain water and thus hold nutrients which might otherwise be washed away. Cover crops also host an array of beneficial insects in the vineyard, which, in turn, reduce the prevalence of the predator insects that prey on the good health of your vines. In the long run, they may save you a lot of money!