Walking through the Vineyard

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If you have visited the winery recently, you probably met me in the tasting room. You can often find me there, pouring John & Christine's Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and talking about how all of our wines are produced on the estate: from grape to glass. 

Even though I've worked at Hilliard Bruce for almost a year and a half, it's not often that I make the trek out into the vineyard, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to take a tour with Shannon Gledhill of Coastal Vineyard Care. As soon as we drove out of the winery parking lot and into the vineyard, I thought, "Why don't I get out here more often?!"

After taking the tour, I was reminded of how awe-inspiring the property is, and feel compelled to share with you a few of the most fascinating facts that I learned:

• Hilliard Bruce teamed up with Sustainability in Practice (SIP) when it was a pilot program and became one of the very first SIP certified growers! Our 10 year anniversary with SIP was on May 17, 2018. 
• We recycle the water used at the winery as part of our LEED Silver Certification. There is a tank under the road that gets pumped out and used for irrigating the landscape.
• The property produces its own compost, which is a combination of: the remains of grapes after pressing (pomace), green matter, and horse manure from Christine's Arabian horses. It is made at our on-site aerated compost facility, which blows air through the pile instead of turning it. 
• There are flowers planted throughout the vineyard to attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. While the insects aren't needed for pollination, as grapes are self-pollinating, they act as predators to some of the pests on grapes. 

...and that's just the beginning! There is always something new to learn, which is both daunting and exciting in equal measure. I drive past the vineyards at the front of the property almost every day, but it is another experience altogether to stand between the rows, learn about the agricultural side of winemaking, and look up close at what will -- in just a few short months -- become the 2018 vintage. 

I hope that you will join us in the vineyard and experience Hilliard Bruce for yourself, either by joining us on an upcoming vineyard tour or by making an appointment to come taste with us. It is our pleasure to host you!

Best,
Elena