Much like the scientific community, the vigneron community acknowledges the reality of climate change, and recognizes the need to act before it’s too late. The two principal phenomena every grower points to are a shortening of the growing cycle caused by overall warmer climate than in decades past, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events—hail, frost, heatwave, drought, violent storms—that have the capacity to significantly impact a year’s harvest in a short burst of fury. Both require adaptation on the part of grape-growers intent on ensuring the survival of their businesses and maintaining balance in their wines. A proactive pursuit of creative solutions in the vineyard and winery are crucial: adapt, or be left in the dust—quite literally, in cases of extreme drought.
            Our portfolio is full of resourceful farmers who want nothing more than to leave their domaines—and our planet—in good shape for the next generation. In honor of Earth Day, this sampler highlights some of the most progressive growers we work with, who are constantly thinking on their feet to identify sustainable solutions to the climate-related challenges they face.
        Some work their parcels by horse to reduce fossil fuel emissions and avoid compacting the soil. Others have replaced chemical products with natural treatments to encourage biodiversity among the vines. The idea of “living soils” becomes increasingly important given the role of soil in regulating temperature, water, and nutrient intake; many farmers adopt no-till practices or plant cover crops to keep the soil cool, humid, and replete with helpful microorganisms.
           In Corsica, Jean-Charles Abbatucci has experimented—quite successfully—with heirloom grape varieties selected for their low alcohol, high acidity, or other advantageous traits. At Vignai da Duline in Friuli, Lorenzo Mocchiutti and Federica Magrini choose not to trim the vine shoots, instead prompting each plant to auto-regulate in response to a given year’s climatic conditions. All of these vignerons have embraced some school of sustainable, organic, or biodynamic viticulture to lessen their environmental impact. Their efforts can be tasted in the vibrant, original, and terroir-driven creations they produce.
          Join us in celebrating these conscientious stewards of the land and in raising a glass to our beautiful and beloved Planet Earth.