The global wine industry is not immune to the effects of climate change and soil degradation. Through a process of regenerative farming, soil health is protected and vintages can be produced with great success.

Regenerative viticulture, also known as regenerative agriculture, is farming that emphasizes the regeneration of soil health, says Eco Terreno Wines & Vineyards. These farming practices are organic and ecologically-driven to enhance the ecosystem through a partnership with nature. Regenerative viticulture focuses heavily on soil health, carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

Five primary principles drive regenerative viticulture: minimizing soil disturbance, keeping the soil covered, maintaining living roots year-round, increasing plant diversity, and integrating livestock. The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation says the goal is to create a “closed-loop” system where the vineyard provides its own nutrients instead of having to use synthetic ones.

Cover crops

The use of cover crops can increase soil organic carbon (SOC), which is vital for mitigating the wine industry’s carbon footprint. According to research published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, use of cover cropping in vineyards can increase SOC by up to 1.5 tons per hectare annually, making processes much more eco-friendly. What’s more, cover cropping can improve the water retention capacity of soil. This is essential in regions where drought cycles have been on the rise.

Animal integration

The primary role of animals in regenerative agriculture is “prescriptive grazing.” By allowing livestock to graze between rows during the dormant season, vintners can eliminate much of the need for mechanical mowing and herbicide application. Data from the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation found sheep can reduce the need for tractor passes by up to 80 percent, significantly lowering the vineyard’s carbon footprint while preventing soil compaction. Animals also convert plant matter into high-quality manure and urine, providing bioavailable sources of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.

Chickens and ducks also may be deployed to manage pest populations like mealybugs or snails near vines without the need for synthetic insecticides. Animals also naturally aerate the soil through their beaks, feet and hooves, allowing organic matter to get into the earth more readily.

The future of healthy vineyards may rely on regenerative viticulture, which safeguards the land and ensures successful production cycles. AG263682