The Sonoma County Wine Library

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Kari Cameron

Did you know that the Sonoma County Library has a special service and collection known as the Sonoma County Wine Library? If you ever find yourself in need of an article, bibliographic reference, and/or photograph related to wine, or if you’re simply looking for some piece of wine information, visit the Healdsburg Regional Library at 139 Piper St., on the corner of Piper and Center.

The Wine Library at Healdsburg Regional Library began in 1988 and contains approximately 5,000 books on wine and wine-related subjects, as well as over 80 subscriptions to wine-related periodicals. It also serves as a business and technical library for the Sonoma County Wine Industry, which helps fund it, and acts as a historical archive of wine history, with a special emphasis on Sonoma County.

Wine Files

A side project of the Sonoma County Wine Library is the Wine Files, which can be accessed by clicking here. According to the Sonoma County Library website, the Wine Files project is intended “to make its [Sonoma Library] clipping files of articles on wine, winemaking, grape growing, the wine business, and the history of wine accessible on the World Wide Web. The items in the database include citations, abstracts and links to articles in the technical, academic, trade and consumer wine magazines and journals. There are also citations and summaries for newspaper articles, government documents, press releases, advertising brochures and other ephemera dealing with wine.”

Sonoma County Visionaries, Immigrants and Winemakers

Sonoma County Visionaries, Immigrants and Winemakers is one of the Sonoma County Library’s Heritage Collections’ most interesting historical references projects. It is an online collection of local, historical images that are related to the Sonoma County wine industry, beginning in the 1870s and continuing into the 1990s. The images within this collection give viewers a glimpse at the wine makers and wine-related companies of Sonoma County, from the past and in the present. Click here for more information.

Biblioteca Vinaria Sonoma

Another part of the Sonoma County Library’s Heritage Collections, Biblioteca Vinaria Sonoma includes a wide range of historical texts on all aspects of viticulture and winemaking. In it, you’ll find proclamations of George III on wine regulations as well as old letters describing grape production in local area vineyards. Click here.

Other intriguing and significant aspects of the Sonoma County Wine Library include wine labels, 16mm films, more than 1,000 rare wine books dating back to 1512, and even transcripts of interviews with winemakers, growers, and other notable figures in the Sonoma County wine industry.

One of the main goals of the Wine Library is to attract new patrons to explore the resources available to them. Some of the many events that happen in the library each year to raise money include The Annual Meeting, Appellation Tours, Fireside Chats, and Sonoma Odyssey.

If you’re interested in joining the Wine Library Associates of Sonoma County or would like to learn more about the events mentioned above, call (707) 433-3772, visit www.SonomaOdyssey.org, or write to The Wine Library Associates of Sonoma County at PO Box 43, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

Putting Dogs and Falcons to Work: Sonoma County’s Vineyard Guardians

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Kari Cameron

The Sonoma County Farm Bureau held two workshops recently in order to introduce growers to alternative techniques that serve to protect their treasurable wine grapes – namely, falcons and dogs. Current, and most common, methods of vineyard grape protection include bird netting, noisemakers, mylar strips, visual repellents (scarecrows), and poisons, but each of these preventative measures has its own drawbacks.

Once the high numbers of starlings, cedar wax wings, and other avian pests descend on vineyards, it can be difficult to control the amount of damage they inflict. Noisemakers and mylar strips are effective for a short while, but the birds quickly become used to these devices and then they tend to ignore them, rendering them practically useless. Bird netting is particularly effective. However, it is also expensive, time consuming, and potentially harmful to birds. And then there is poison … Poison is a difficult preventative measure to argue for, because of the many negative effects it imposes upon precious natural resources, the food chain, and the environment as a whole.

So, in walks (or flies) the answer to most of these growers’ avian pest problems: the dog and the falcon. Dogs are quite the successful little bird keeper-outers, since they leave their scent wherever they roam. Once the wine grapes begin to color and ripen, a small pack of dogs can be run through the rows of the vineyards, twice a day, for roughly half an hour in the morning and in the evening. When the birds fly over the vineyard rows, they can smell the scents left over from the dogs. The birds then typically assume the dogs are still present and free roaming in the vineyard rows, so they leave the wine grapes alone and move on.

However, these dogs must be properly trained to be able to tackle such a demanding task. Also, certain breeds are much better than others at keeping the bird damage to a minimum. English Hunt Terriers and Terry Roosevelt Terriers are said to be good options, due to their histories as vermin-hunting animals.

Falcons are known for their acute eyesight, great speed, and terrific hunting skills. This is why they are implemented in numerous locations requiring bird management, such as airports, landfills, fruit orchards, berry farms, and military bases.

One of the main advantages of using dogs and/or falcons over the other protection techniques is that the pesky birds being prohibited from destroying valuable crops are not killed, but instead simply inspired to move on to other sources of food. This is a major benefit over bird netting, which can trap, wound, and even kill birds, and poisons, which do much more damage to the surrounding area and food chain than just eliminate the targeted pests.

In addition to keeping out harmful birds, dogs are being used in other vineyard protection arenas, too. Golden retrievers are being used to sniff out diseases in vineyard vines. Their insanely powerful noses can sniff out and identify vine mealybugs. These mealybugs are known to contaminate grape clusters with larvae and egg sacs, which eventually kills the vine.

Sonoma County’s Vineyard Site Assessment

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Kari Cameron

The Vineyard Site Assessment Guide for Sonoma County is a document offered by the University of California Cooperative Extension containing important information for prospective vineyard owners and developers. The guide is meant to inform any current or prospective landowners, realtors and vineyard developers of the various regulatory agencies and their requirements.

In addition to knowing the details of soil, climate and water availability, starting a vineyard requires extensive knowledge of the environmental laws and multiple ordinances that affect production and development. Proceeding with vineyard installation without knowing the facts concerning the requirements of federal, state and county natural resource regulatory agencies and ordinances can result in fines and more.

Aspects of a vineyard site that may trigger regulatory agency intervention include, but are not limited to, road development, vegetation conversion, and natural resources such as streams, rivers, slopes, river basins and tributary watersheds. The Vineyard Site Assessment Guide recommends using an appropriate USGS map, aerial photograph or lot line topographic map to identify specific areas of a site, and it features separate sections for information on each particular natural resource and vineyard characteristic.

The first step to using the guide is to carefully study the map or aerial photograph. Important aspects to note include the boundaries of the site of interest and the natural resources of the site. It is recommended that notes are made about the natural resources and the appropriate regulatory agencies to contact for clarification.

Once the maps and/or photographs have been assessed, and the appropriate notes made, the next step is to consult the Vineyard Site Assessment Guide itself for more information on the specific areas in need of further attention. These specific areas listed in the guide include:

Driveway and Road System
Neighbors
Slope
Soils
Water Access and Rights
Existing Erosion
Vegetation
Streams and Riparian Corridors
Wet Areas

In each of the aforementioned sections are 4 subsections, including Significance, Regulations and Jurisdiction, Costs, and Next Steps.

The Significance subsection contains information on the specific section’s risks and benefits of water quality and drainage, habitats, and endangered or threatened vegetation types and species. Regulations and Jurisdiction lists the regulatory agency in charge of that specific section. These include the California Department of Water Resources Planning and Local Assistance Department, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the California Department of Fish and Game, and more. The Costs and Next Steps subsections include important information on application fees, filing fees, title search fees, permit fees and the remaining steps to take to complete the requirements of the each regulatory board or agency.

The guide is meant to be an educational tool. The Natural Resource Conservation Service Local Resource Conservation District and UC Cooperative Extension can offer additional information on the most critical areas of concern. However, these agencies do not regulate; it is only recommended to contact them to avoid common mistakes.

Sustainable Ranch and Vineyard Practices

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Kari Cameron

The term “sustainable” means to endure the long-term management responsibilities of resource and land use so that present and future generations are able to reap the benefits. This includes meeting present needs while simultaneously considering the impact of grazing habits, consumption, waste, wildlife conservation, land management and more. The overall quality of the natural resources left for future generations to enjoy and the responsibility that land owners possess in relation to the rest of the world must be factored into the daily decisions and habits of ranchers, growers and farmers alike.

The requirements for sustainable production include environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically sensible practices, with perhaps the largest concern being the local landscape and way of life of the plants and animals in any particular region. That is where recycling, composting and solar and wind energy greatly aids farms, vineyards and ranches, as well as the future generations who stand to benefit from the land and resources we leave behind. In addition to the aforementioned practices, slight changes in grazing routine and grazing management, combined with fewer chemicals, are great ways to do your part and save a little coin at the same time. The ranging habits of cattle, if performed correctly, can increase plant growth, help prevent erosion, reduce waterway damage, promote wildlife diversity, increase biomass and provide fertilization through nitrogen-rich urine and feces – and these are only some of the positive impacts.

Sustainable practices are an ongoing journey, with new and improved techniques popping up each year. These measures include fostering the soil, respecting native ecosystems and reducing environmental impact. Also, water conservation, erosion control, the implementation of beneficial insects, reduction or total refusal of herbicides and pesticides, composting, recycling and overall reducing the use of resources are integral in sustainability. With respect to the environment, the best practices and quality assurance is met with customer satisfaction, both locally and globally.

Consumer Stamp of Approval

With the recent and steady rise in popularity of sustainable practices comes profit and the potential to save growers, farmers and ranchers money. In general, consumers are often willing to spend a little more for the higher quality products associated with sustainable practices. For example, naturally-raised and hormone-free meat (free range chickens and free roaming, grass fed cows), non-GMO products, pesticide and herbicide free produce and sustainably-produced wool are all products that folks are willing to spend a little more money on for the quality.

A Little More

The sustainable ranching trend has even reached Hollywood and the film making industry. The film “The New Frontier: Sustainable Ranching in the American West” is a short documentary focusing on the controversy and social, political and scientific implications of sustainable ranching efforts. Here is the summary, according to the film’s website: “Shot on three family ranches in the Rockies of Colorado, southern New Mexico and Central Texas Blackland Prairie, the film examines cultural, scientific, political and philosophical considerations concerning environmental stewardship, the traditions of ranching families and communities, collaborations between ranchers, ecologists and environmentalists, and the controversial but often successful use of grazing animals to improve land and animal water biodiversity and healthy watersheds.” Watch the film trailer here: http://www.newfrontierfilm.com

All in all, sustainability is a lifestyle. It is the decisions you make daily as a person and/or a business to help humans and nature co-exist harmoniously. The main goal of these practices is simple: to reduce the use of natural resources and to help sustain a healthy environment for ourselves, our children, their children, and so on.

Vineyard Tulle Netting

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Kari Cameron

It’s true that some bird netting products have been found to strangle and kill smaller birds that unintentionally get caught in the net’s openings; however, the good news is that tulle netting is a cheaper, safer and effective alternative to the traditional products currently found on the market. Tulle netting is a great low-profile, sustainable and ongoing solution for ridding your hard labor of those pesky bird infestations.

Bird netting, or more specifically tulle netting, could be the ideal solution for protecting and preserving the flavor and appearance of your vineyard mainstays. This is because it is effective, green and chemical-free, as well as easy to install with little maintenance required. It is relatively inexpensive, too. A proper net setup will exclude unwanted birds entirely, which is perfect for prized crops and large, open areas of plants. Plus, the netting can be moved and reused in different areas of the ranch, farm, vineyard or garden. One more advantage of tulle netting: it can help protect your crops from hail damage.

Unlike traps, poisons or other bird scaring tactics and devices, tulle netting works hard 24/7 to make sure your vineyard consistently produces the highest quality grapes. The alternatives to bird netting include scarecrows, reflective tape, fake animals and many different auditory devices – propane cannons, sirens, whistles, horns etc. – which usually only work for a short period of time, since birds become accustomed to the sounds and are no longer frightened away.

The Problems That Birds Bring

Once a bird starts to pick at your grapes, the opening allows harmful bacteria to enter. This not only ruins the appearance, but can often ruin the entire crop. The costs of maintenance and the damaging effects of birds and bird droppings on residential and business properties are staggering. From damaging walkways, rooftops, walls and equipment to the rust and acidic damage on paint, metal and concrete, these bird droppings can cost you thousands of dollars to properly clean up. In addition to the problems their droppings cause, the sheer presence of birds in the workplace can indeed bring even more issues. For instance, birds are known to entangle themselves in many different types of machinery, peck holes and block air ducts with their nests. They can even damage power lines and cause fires.

Large amounts of bird droppings on sidewalks and around buildings can pose a serious health risk if not properly maintained. Birds are known to carry over 60 contagious diseases, and the fungal spores and fecal dust left over from bird droppings can be inhaled by a person, which often causes infection. These possible diseases range from Salmonellosis to Cryptococcosis to Histoplasmosis. The last, but not least, dangerous threat posed by birds is parasites. Don’t allow the over population of birds in your business or residential growing facility expose you to even more pests, such as bed bugs, yellow mealworms and chicken mites. The liability of birds and their unwanted droppings is an issue worth consideration, and the problems can and should be taken care of before it becomes a really big mess. Some people use fake id to buy alcohol and buy id on idgod

The Tulle Netting Solution

Most bird netting products come in standard, heavy duty and premium grades, with some types geared more toward either commercial/industrial or residential purposes. Standard sizes of bird netting range from ¼” up to 2” openings, often made from polyethylene or polypropylene. As mentioned earlier, traditional bird netting products are known to cause the unwanted and unnecessary deaths of birds and other wildlife, so consider implementing tulle instead if you feel it is a comparable alternative to your specific needs. Tulle is often a considerably cheaper than other bird netting supplies, and if installed correctly, it works even better thanks to the net’s smaller openings. Plus, the minimized harm on birds and other creatures is something you and your vineyard can be proud of.