The SOMM Journal

April / May 2016

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104 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } APRIL/MAY 2016 { s preview } CAMP [ ] [ ] But while battling the drought, Kragten and the ranch team saw the cover crop as an opportunity. They've since planted barley between the rows, which helps reflect heat to the vines, manages vigor and delivers a boost of nutrients to the grapes. "Cover crop is important, but kind of an afterthought usually," Kragten says. "It was just a small thing that was kind of hiding in plain sight when we were looking for ways to be more sustainable." MEASURING THIRST Similar innovations and new farming tac- tics have become de rigueur among CAB Collective producers. To battle drought conditions, Clos Solène Wines changed its Cabernet Sauvignon pruning strategy to increase shade for its grapes. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is now systematically gauging how thirsty its vines are through pressure bomb - ing. This involves placing a single leaf in a chamber and increasing the pressure until water escapes. The more pressure required, the more stressed the vine. Whirring drones are now buzzing over more vineyards here in this cowboy fron - tier, snapping infrared photos of canopies. If a lagging patch is spotted, farmers can go investigate to see whether the culprit is thirst, pests or disease. These bird's-eye shots once required costly airplane flights, limiting the technology to Paso's larger pro - ducers, many of which have been analyzing infrared data for years. Instead of circling their proverbial wagons during the drought, several CAB Collective members invested heavily to make every facet of their farming and winemaking operations more sustainable. Most notably, DAOU Vineyards, JUSTIN, Opolo Vineyards, Pomar Junction and Ancient Peaks Winery all recently earned Sustainability In Practice Outsmarting the drought has sparked innovation beyond water conservation. Cover crop is often an afterthought, but Cass Vineyard & Winery saw an opportunity and planted grape- boosting barley. PHOTO: BRITTANY APP To pinpoint only vines that need water, ADELAIDA Cellars is install- ing the latest evaporation monitor- ing technology in its vineyards. To pinpoint only vines that need water, ADELAIDA Cellars is install- ing the latest evaporation monitor- ing technology in its vineyards.

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