Napa County RCD’s Huichica Creek Vineyard Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration

1. Napa County RCD’s Huichica Creek Vineyard Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Presented at the CARCD Annual Conference Napa, California November 2013

2. In1991 the Napa RCD purchased a 21-acre property in the Carneros District of southern Napa County with the proceeds of a grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy. The parcel was part of a former dairy, with a history of heavy grazing and forage crop production. • The purpose of the project is to demonstrate a practical, economically viable agricultural system, compatible with, and part of, sustainable natural hydrologic and biotic systems. • Twenty-two years later, the property now includes 14 acres of winegrape vineyard, and over 6 acres of restored riparian corridor and enhanced wetland areas.

3. Aerial View: Huichica Creek Vineyard • 5-foot contours in yellow. Elevation of the low point of property is +/- 13 feet above msl. • Creek runs from northeast (upper right) to southwest. On left bank (south side) is the beginning of the Napa-Sonoma Marsh complex, owned and operated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. • Wetland areas include the dark crescent in the center, and the linear overflow channel traversing the property from the north. • Slow to non-existent summer flows in the creek lead to brackish water intrusion to about the southward bend in the creek. As this is about 4 feet below vineyard ground level, salinity problems have been minimal so far.

4. Ground broken in 1992 • First riparian plantings and bank stabilization (oaks, buckeyes, willow revetments, etc.) in 1993 • Runoff control and drainage structures installed in 1993-94 • Secured development loan from the State Revolving Fund in 1994 • Vineyard blocks planted 1994-97 • Flashboard weir installed in wetland, 1998 • First harvest 1999 • Wetland tree, shrub, and perennial grass plantings 2006-2009

5. Huichica Creek: Then and Now 1990 1993 2006 2009

6. Wetland Enhancement Plantings 2006-2009

7. High School Students Planting Native Perennial Wetland Grasses 2006

8. Huichica Creek Vineyard: Conservation and Monitoring Tools Flow Meter Variable Speed Drive (Irrigation Pump) Stream Gauge USGS Seimograph/Transmitter CIMIS Station

9. Cover Crops • The projects original paradigm (pipe dream?) called for 100% non-tilled, native perennial bunch grass cover crops. Weed management was to be by mowing only between rows, and post-emergent herbicide (glyphosate) only, between vines in the row. • 18-24 inch topsoil depth. • Floodplain weed seed bank generated dense, competitive weed growth • As competition from the cover crops led to low vine vigor and high mortality the first couple of years, we were compelled us to “adaptively manage” the paradigm. • Four of five vineyard blocks are now managed with perennials in alternate rows, with every other row spring-tilled and fall-seeded with cereal grains and legumes. • Block with thinnest soil required three years of full tillage and seeding to become established.

10. Temporary cover crop: spring tilled, fall seeded

11. Alternate-row tillage, fall seeding showing germination

12. Alternate-row tillage, spring following wet winter

13. Non-tilled, dry year (winter) Cover Crop Trial UC Cooperative Extension Beginning Fall 2013

14. Insectary Hedgerow Planting

15. Emergent Habitat: Dam Beavers Build it, and they will come!

16. Photo courtesy of Karen Taylor, CDFW

17. Photo courtesy of Karen Taylor, CDFW

18. Photo courtesy of Karen Taylor, CDFW

19. Photo courtesy of Karen Taylor, CDFW

20. Photo courtesy of Karen Taylor, CDFW

21. Photo courtesy of Karen Taylor, CDFW

22. Photo courtesy of Karen Taylor, CDFW

23. AND…… We have Wine!

24. For more information, please contact Dave Steiner Senior Soil Conservationist Napa County RCD 1303 Jefferson Street, Suite 500B Napa, CA 94559 dave@naparcd.org This presentation available on RCD’s website: www/naparcd.org