Farming with Sustainability in mind

At Grindstone, sustainability is ingrained in every facet of our operation, from vineyard management to the tasting room, emphasizing biodynamic approaches to minimize environmental impact. Through renewable energy adoption, water conservation, and eco-friendly packaging, our commitment to sustainability not only produces exceptional wines but also contributes to the preservation of the surrounding ecosystem and the well-being of the local community.

Groundwater recharge

Groundwater recharge plays a crucial role in sustaining agricultural operations. By replenishing underground aquifers, it provides a reliable and accessible water source for irrigation, mitigating the impact of water scarcity during dry periods. This practice ensures the long-term viability of farming activities and provides habitat for native plants, birds and animals. Our home ranch has 11 ponds, three are full year-round, and the remaining 8 are only full during winter and wet spring months.

When we purchased the property where our tasting room is now there was no existing water storage. We decided to build a recharge pond immediately to help prevent erosion, catch runoff water from the Dunnigan Hills, and recharge our underground aquifer.

We have always prioritized water storage and groundwater recharge for our operation. Mikes father, Mike Sr., made it his mission to build reserviors on any property he farmed, as well as keeping them maintained through the wet season.

Habitat

On our home ranch and at Grindstone we have made it a priority to maintain and build natural habitat areas. As stewards of the land our goal is to leave the land better than we found it. Around each of our ponds we have a natural habitat area. This includes native plants, grasses and heritage oaks.

This area of enhanced biodiversity supports pollinators and beneficial insects crucial for crop pollination and pest control. These habitats also contribute to soil health, water filtration, and overall ecosystem resilience, fostering a more sustainable and regenerative farming environment.

Solar on the farm

On our home ranch west of Arbuckle, we have installed a 661-kilowatt solar system that powers our entire farm. Our pumps, irrigation, offices, and barns are all powered by our solar. On most days we generate more power than we need so, this extra generated power is added directly back to the grid.

In the last 5 years our ground mounted and roof mounted solar has generated 2,353,964 kWh!