Hundreds of years of harmful chemical use has rendered the soil in many European vineyards “not farmable.” In an attempt to save their investments, French, German and Italian grape growers have turned to organic and biodynamic methods of controlling weeds, insects and disease. They are also using natural compost to rebuild the soil and make it sustainable for agricultural use.

Crossing Vineyards is committed to limiting its use of harmful chemicals, substituting more environmentally friendly methods such as cover cropping, bat boxes, under-row tillers, bio-fungicides, natural oils and kelp products for foliar nutrition to strengthen the vines against disease.

Rotational cover crops were planted between rows at Crossing Vineyards in May, 2003.

Buckwheat, a summer annual and notorious calcium scavenger, was planted in all odd vineyard rows. At season’s end, the buckwheat will be plowed under, returning all accumulated calcium to the soil.

Even vineyard rows were planted with a mix of wildflowers and Middle Master fescue. The wildflowers generate beneficial insects, which help reduce the need for chemicals.

The first bat box was installed at Crossing Vineyards in July, 2003. Bats are the natural predators of certain harmful insects and pests.

A winter clover crop will be planted to control erosion and replenish the soil.