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Robert Reed from Recology shares how food scraps that become finished compost applied to farms improves soil health, helps sequester carbon, increases production, and leads to the production of healthier food (and wine of course).
Every year after harvest, we apply compost from San Francisco’s curbside food scrap collection program. The banana and orange peels, coffee grounds, natural wine corks, etc. from the bay area are turned into this compost at a facility east of SF.
Check out the full article “Compost Crusaders” in the June issue of San Francisco Apartment Association Magazine, pages 20-28. So thankful to have our small lot Wild Harvest Sauvignon Blanc showcased in the article from Cordero Vineyards.
Every year, we have our “mowers” come on site in the Spring. The sheep came two weeks ago along with Luna and Cinder, Livestock Guardian pups that stay with the sheep and protect them from predators. They do a great job, even at 5 months old! Cori and team from Napa Pasture Protein bring them to the ranch then move them around confined zones to eat down the grass before moving to the next section. Several of the ewes were pregnant when they arrived and we have over a dozen lambs now, with several sets of twins!
Cattle from Lauritsen Ranch came on site this week and calves have already been born! Thanks to Kelly and family for bringing their beautiful animals to graze again this year. A trip is needed to Wilson’s Feed & Supply to get alfafa cubes for treats toot sweet!
WineBusiness press release from Napa County on use of compost to support healthy soils in vineyards.
Ivan comes to us from a country with over 2,500 years of wine production. He brings this history and his experience to bear as a consulting winemaker for Lost Valley Ranch Wines. He earned his enological degree from Crimean Agrotech University. He earned his chops working at all scales of vineyards and wineries across Ukraine, Switzerland, Germany, Moldova, Italy, and now Napa Valley.
Ivan guides the harvest, production, and bottling of all LVR Wines. Coupled with his love of wine and keen sensory abilities, his penchant for engineering and mechanics continually improve the process and quality of our wines.
The native Ukrainian found his way to Napa in the fall of 2022 thanks to the Napa Valley to Ukraine organization. When not found making, bottling, or consuming wine, he can be found geeking out on wine equipment and enjoying music.
Debra and her partner Eric live at the Lost Valley Ranch farm and vineyard, Cordero Vineyards. She is Owner of Lost Valley Ranch Wines, established in 2023. She earned her Winemaking Certificate from UC Davis and works as overall vintner and manager of LVR Wines.
She comes from a long career in sustainable architecture and has applied that experience and passion to agriculture and wine making. The ranch is certified sustainable through CSWA and a verified Micro-Winery through Save the Family Farms.
When she is not making or managing the wine, she can be found outside at the ranch in her element, picking wildflowers, petting fluffy friends or wrangling mowing equipment.