BLACK BENCH

Despite numerous obstacles, we neared the planting of our vineyard on the land. However, in 2020 and 2021, wildfires swept through, necessitating a change in plans. Undeterred, we relocated the vineyard to Highland Springs Ranch, adjacent to our sheep field.
We prepared the land for several seasons with covercrops to improve the soil before the grape vines went in. In the spring of 2022, we finally planted 7500 grapevines, including Grenache Noir, Grenache Graham, Mourvèdre, Vermentino, Clairette, Cinsault, Muscat Blanc, and Muscat di Alexandria. These Southern Rhone, French, and Italian varieties were chosen for their suitability to our climate. Thriving in our sunny sites, even during cold, windy winters, we are excited to produce reds, whites, and rosé with our grapes.

Our 16-acre vineyard is watered by a well we dug, located inside the vineyard. Entirely powered by solar, it stands as the largest off-grid well in California. Our eventual goal is dry farming (no water!) so we limit watering and when we do, we do a deep watering to encourage the roots to go deep into the ground!
Around the vineyard, fig and pomegranate trees, along with various native trees, are planted. These trees serve multiple purposes, from providing shade to making wood chips and food for our insects and wildlife. We aspire to create a food forest using agroforestry principles. Embracing regenerative practices, we refrain from tilling and nurture an environment enriched by cover crops.

The future we envision is one where our grapes mature into pure and delicious wine, allowing you to taste the quality in every sip. While we patiently await that day, we're not standing still. In our commitment to sustainability, we actively craft wines with organic grapes sourced from vineyards across Southern California. We also have plans to import high-quality wine from Europe, to support organic farming practices all over the world. Our dedication to preserving the environment and crafting excellence resonates in every bottle.