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We maintain our vineyards with 100% organic
methods.
At this writing (Summer 2024) we are not certified as organic.
Note that we are certified
as Salmon Safe. We do
not use any pesticides, or herbicides. We do
use fungicides -- read on.
Winegrapes (vitis vinifera) are susceptible to Uncinula Necator,
more commonly known as Powdery Mildew (PM). (Gory details here
at U. C. Davis
Ag, Research and IPM). PM is omnipresent and will prevent the grapes from
ripening properly. This is probably the most important issue
facing grape growers in the U.S.
During the growing months April-September, we will be spraying
approx. every 2 weeks. This varies with weather conditions.
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Caution:
In 2024, the City of Bainbridge Island (COBI) has installed what
they're calling, the "Farm Trail" immediately adjacent to
the farms in the Day Road area, including Perennial Vintners.
If you see/hear a sprayer operating while you are on that path,
it's your responsibility to move away, this is for your safety.
Pedestrians on this trail will be effectively in the vineyard
as the path is a mere 10 feet away from the endmost row.
This means that when a farmer is spraying the vineyards, anyone on the
path is at risk of getting sprayed, or of entering an area that has
been recently sprayed. (Please see the product labels in the right
column and pay attention to the "restricted-entry interval".)
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There are many products on the market to help stop PM. We
choose to use only those products that are certified as organic
in our vineyards. Here is a list of the typical products we use
(in no particular order):
- Microthiol Disperss (micronized sulfur)
[label]
- Sonata (mushroom extract)
[label]
- Serenade (mushroom extract)
[label]
- Regalia (extract from knotweed)
[label]
- Purespray (mineral oil)
[label]
- Kaligreen (baking soda)
[label]
In addition, for grapevine health, we use some additional products:
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