The Seven Hills Vineyard philosophy of sustainable viticulture is to grow high quality wine grapes with the softest approach possible. We work to use nature to combat nature, striving to minimize man’s control input. We are currently cooperating with other Walla Walla Valley growers to get a minimal chemical program approved by the international community (the IOBC organization out of Switzerland). This approval will be the vineyards next step in a multi-year plan to move much closer to biodynamic input to improve our vineyard soil while being “good neighbors” to our watershed and the environment as a whole.
To enhance nature for biodiversity we have implemented environmental strategies. These include planting wild native roses, perennial flowers, clover for cover crop, as well as mowing every-other row to leave enough grass in alternate rows to host beneficial insects. These strategies provide a food source as well as habitat for the beneficials.
Soil health is directly related to quality. We work extensively with Rick Trumbull, a viticulture consultant who is among the industry leaders in a soft approach to the use of chemicals. Seven Hills Vineyard is continuously stimulating and inoculating for biological health in its soils.
Water quality is a very important aspect to soil health and we run extensive tests on our irrigation water throughout the season.
