All vines are trained to a cordon-pruned positioned (VSP) canopy. Rows are spaced 8 feet apart and the vines 5 to 8 feet depending on root stock, variety and the soil fertility. Vines are pruned for a nominal crop of 5 tons per acre and somewhat higher in the white varieties. The number of buds may be adjusted upward or downward to maintain a balance between vine canopy and the crop load. If needed, the crop is reduced during crown suckering in the spring and early summer and later at veraison.

Sustainable practices are followed in all vineyards. Weed removal under the vines is obtained with in-row cultivators in the organic blocks. Only in years of heavy insect pressure are any sprays used. Powdery mildew is controlled with sulfur until some 60 days before harvest when other organic sprays are used if needed. Timing of applications is governed by the Gubler model with data from weather stations located in the vineyards. The Ackley vineyard has been CCOF organic since 2005, and other blocks have been certified in succeeding years. 

Leaf removal is practiced on the shady sides of the white grapes. Typically, no leaf removal is needed in the red varieties since the VSP system naturally furnishes sufficient opening to allow the desired 15% of the clusters to be exposed to the sun.

Irrigation is carried out exclusively with a drip system. Deficit irrigation is practiced after the canopy is fully developed. The stem water potential is allowed to decrease to about -13 Bar between irrigations for the red varieties and to about -12 Bar for the white varieties. Deficit irrigation is not practiced in the red varieties after veraison.

All grapes can be picked at night for delivery early in the morning. We use our own Nairn bow rod harvester and are able to harvest without delay when requested by the winery.