Hugh Davies (Vintner), Sean Thompson (Director of Winemaking), Jessica Koga (Winemaker), Sam Rubanowitz (Viticulturalist) and Csilla Kato (Assistant Winemaker) of Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards
Tell us about the sustainable and eco-friendly practices at the vineyard: At Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards, there are continuous efforts to follow environmentally friendly practices, to sustain the vineyards and property for future generations.
The J. Davies Estate vineyards, on the historic Schramsberg property, have been certified as Napa Green Land and Fish Friendly Farming. This has been met using no-till farming practices, utilization of organic or naturally derived fertilizers, incorporation of Sustainable Ag (UC Davis) and Integrated Pest Management (EPA) techniques, and the composting of used grape material to use as fertilizer and increase water efficiency in the vineyards.
On the Schramsberg and Davies winery properties, additional efforts are taken to be certified as a Napa Green Winery. Two solar arrays have been installed, utilizing 2,537 panels, to produce a combined 601 kilowatts. Additionally, the Schramsberg property has 34,000 square feet of underground cave storage, which naturally maintains a consistent 59- to 60-degree temperature. This provides ideal storage conditions for the aging of over three-million bottles of sparkling wine, as well as the long-term storage of barrels containing library base-wines, with minimal power requirements. Combine these green infrastructures with good recycling, lighting and water plans, and Schramsberg is poised to maintain green certification long into the future.
Tell us about the varietals you make: Schramsberg produces sparkling wines made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards located across California’s North Coast AVA. Davies Vineyards crafts site specific still wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir sites located in the Napa AVA, Sonoma Coast AVA and Anderson Valley AVA. Our estate Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux Varietals, come from a certified Napa Green/Fish Friendly Farming site on Diamond Mountain.
What are a few wines that readers should try right now?
2019 J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon