At the heart of Ranch 32 sits our wind turbine which became operational in July 2017. This mighty device powers our entire winery operation, plus an additional 125 homes with renewable energy. With blades that reach 396 feet into the sky, it is an ideal power source to utilize the inexhaustible winds of the Salinas Valley. Wind is more effective than solar, as turbines generate electricity at night and don’t lose efficiency due to dust.
We allow beneficial insects and birds to control pest populations through our integrated pest management strategies. Owl boxes are perched amongst our vineyards, so that barn owls can naturally control rodents, gophers and field mice. Herbal-based preparations are also applied in the vineyards to promote soil vitality through increased microbiologic activity.
In the vineyards we use 100% drip irrigation. To regulate water use, we have technology that continuously senses soil moisture and monitors plant stress. The cover crops planted between rows prevent erosion, control vine vigor, and naturally improve the health of the soil.
Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing is a statewide certification program that provides third-party verification of a winery’s commitment to continuous improvement in the adoption and implementation of sustainable winegrowing practices. Our estate vineyards were first certified in 2014 and our winery operation was certified in 2018.
Other certifications we have been awarded include Global G.A.P., British Retail Consortium (BRC) and HACCP.