Known for its world-class art collection and Pinot Noirs, Donum Estate is also serious about sustainability, investing heavily in integrated pest management and biodiversity. Dan Fishman, the winemaker, discusses the benefits and tradeoffs of moving to organic and regenerative farming with an IPM framework. From sheep, ducks, and chickens to mealybug destroyers, it’s creating a diverse ecosystem that is improving the soil, vines, and wines for Donum.  Detailed Show Notes: Dan’s background - Donum winemaker since 2012, took over farming in 2019DonumFounded in 2001 in Carneros to create the ultimate Pinot NoirAdded Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast vineyardsCCOF (organic) and pursuing ROC regenerative certificationIntegrated pest management (“IPM”) is a critical 1st step for sustainability; it changes philosophy from exploiting resources to maximize cash crops (conventional) to looking at the system holistically and thinking about the entire ecosystem (IPM)Not about eliminating pests but managing them and creating resilience in the ecosystemExamples of IPMSheep for weeding in winter - less tractor passes & fuel use, brings compost back to the vineyard, uses contract grazer w/ 500 sheep/herd, need sheep out before bud break, or they will eat green shootsCompost teas (biologically active sprays) - when used on the canopy, introduce microbes that compete w/ others like mildewChickens & ducks eat ground insectsCommitted to organics in 2019Stopped using herbicides, which kill weeds but also other fungi in soil; stopping created living soils, insect life returned right awayWithout synthetic nitrogen, we need to get the nitrogen cycle back (e.g., sheep compost helps)Benefits of IPMReduced vigor reduced the need to crop thin and hedge, which was done before to get to target yields, therefore no reduction in overall crop yieldsImproved grape chemistry - 7-8 years ago harvested at 25+ Brix to get phenolic ripeness with 3.7-3.8 pH and 4-5 g/L TA; 2022 - 23-23.5 Brix, 3.5 pH, 5.6-6+ g/L TA -> less work needed in wineryCan ferment with native yeasts (not killed by sprays)Increased vineyard lifespan - vines can live 50-60 years vs. 25-30 typically in Sonoma for Pinot NoirReduced cost of synthetic fertilizersCosts of IPMSome upfront investment, e.g., Clemens weed knife for under-vine weed management instead of spraying RoundupMore monitoring of vineyard, e.g., people monitoring for mealy bugs, which are then treated with an organic essential oilEstimates ~5-7% more expensive vs. conventional farmingThe highest impact process was getting rid of herbicidesOther elements usedRoot Applied Sciences - monitoring stations that check for mildew spores reduce organic sprays by 20%, kill less yeast in the vineyardVineView aerial mapping to identify potential problemsWater probes to monitor vine stress to determine irrigation needsBiodiversityCover crops, every 6th row is a native wildflower encouraging native insectsIntroduce predators - e.g., wasps & mealybug destroyers to reduce mealy bugsEncourage raptors with owl boxes and raptor perches to help control moles & gophersNext for IPM and biodiversity at Donum - more chickens & ducks, may own a small flock of sheep, and set up a truffle grove Get access to library episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.