Happy Earth Day–Let's Scale!: Organic is Grow-Grow-Growing in Lodi

Lodi for all its historic charm has never been a hot bed of organic wine grape growing...and more's the pity. 

A few brave souls, Tegan Passalaqua of Sandlands and Morgan Peterson of Bedrock, are the fine wine guys who are growing organically there, along with Markus Bokisch who has 84 acres of organic vines. (He sold a few recently). The Lucas Winery continues to plug along with three acres of historic vines certified organic since 2009.

Now Vino Farms, the powerhouse company that oversees 17,000 acres of vines, is stepping into the organic world with more than 320 acres certified organic and biodynamic. And 400 more are on the way. WOO-EEE. 

Craig Ledbetter sent this list of organic and/or biodynamic vineyards that Vino Farms farms under organic certification today:

Ranch 1 – The Bench – 54.5 acres certified – 150+/- in transition

Ranch 7 Rivers Edge – 11.2 acres certified

Ranch 8 – Simmerhonrn – 17 acres certified

Ranch 9 Vista Luna – 139 acres certified

Ranch 15 – Hidden Oaks – 100 acres certified.

 

"We have started transitioning roughly 400 more acres that will be certified in 2025 and 2026." he said.

 

Happy Earth Day–Let's Scale!

Want to read more about the Ledbetter's path?

Catchup with these articles I wrote for WineBusiness here.

Part 1 of 2: https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/278888

Part 2: https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/279323