Protecting Local Forests

Our beautiful home ranch provides us with rich, healthy soil to grow our top quality grape vineyards – but that’s only 10% of the land under our care.  The other 90% remains wild forestland, home to diverse species of native forests, shrubs, grasses and animals.  Protected forestland is vital to a healthy, balanced eco-system, for ourselves, our local community, and our planet. Local botanist and forester, Estelle Palley Clifton works with us to identify and map the plant species and we are in the process of developing a forest management plan to ensure a well maintained eco-system.

Working with the Inland Mendocino Land Trust to ensure future protection of our forests and watersheds, we have put 187 acres into conservation easement, safeguarding it from logging or future development. This includes a canyon with first- and second-growth California redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens), california nutmeg, western dogwood and the rare and exotic calypso orchid. Like our vineyards, all of our land is 100% organic – no synthetic chemicals sprayed anywhere.