Watering in Vineyards
Today we’re talking about a very interesting topic: watering. California is finally out of the majority of its drought after a couple of wetter winter seasons, which means our vines have needed less supplemental water. So let’s dive into the topic of water, since it plays such a big role in the vineyard, and talk through the different styles and techniques growers use.
Dry Farming
Dry farming is a technique that requires vines to source their water from deep within the ground. There are no sprinkler systems or watering schedules. These vines get water by reaching deep beneath the surface when it’s hot, and soaking up what they can when it rains.
This technique is most common in places with older vines and semi-arid or arid conditions, like the California Coast. It is also practiced in regions subject to extreme drought that have grown vines resistant to it, such as Santorini or parts of arid Spain. Certain varieties are better suited to dry farming: they need to be robust grapes that can withstand the heat without water for long stretches, which is why we see grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel dry farmed.
Standard Irrigation
Standard irrigation is the more common approach here in the US. This is when vineyards are watered during the warm months to keep the vines nurtured and help the grapes properly ripen. It’s common throughout much of drought-affected California, as well as Texas and other semi-arid states.
What Does AJA Do?
As with everything we do, AJA is quite minimal with our intervention. We listen to our vines and their needs. With the incredible rain we’ve received and temperate weather, we often haven’t needed to turn on our water at all in early season. Our vines grow well by drawing on the water already soaked into the soil during the dormant season.
During typically hotter months, we do water our vines. Generally, our water runs once or twice a week for a few hours from April through July and into part of August. Our system is a drip irrigation system, which allows for a minimal, continual flow of water over a period of time. This gently pads the soil with extra moisture without shocking the vines, and ensures they’re never over-watered.
A Balancing Act
Vines are much like people in that they enjoy the same weather we do, but they also thrive when put under a little stress. That’s why we do our best to limit watering: it’s a balancing act, and we only intervene as minimally as necessary. Our goal is to make wines that showcase the beauty of the Malibu Coast, and to make sure that with every vintage, easy or not, we bring you a high quality wine.
Cheers!