Vineyards

Soil and Vineyard

Sullivan Vineyards main soil type is pleasant loam, with both clay and gravel.  We have created a key of the soil on our property which shows the soil  contours and how we have chosen to plant our vines accordingly. 

The green areas are true pleasant loam, the light brown areas are pleasant loam gravel, and the blue areas are pleasant loam clay.  In the green and brown areas we have planted Cabernet Sauvignon, specifically three clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and three rootstocks in four blocks for a total of 12 acres.  In the blue areas of clay we have planted our Merlot with just one clone and one rootstock in two blocks for a total of seven acres.  Finally we have two acres of Petite Verdot with a mix of three soil types.  This gives us a total of seven lots of very distinct wines that we ferment seperately and keep in seperate lots until we are ready to blend our wines. 

This is where we begin to blend our Reserve wines, beginning with the Coeur de Vigne "Heart of the Vineyard".  The distinctiveness of each block is unique, Block H a 337 Clone of Cabernet Sauvignon and 110R Rootstock has a wonderful full smooth first taste that fills the mouth but soon fades.  Block D, a 7 Clone of Cabernet Sauvignon and St. George Rootstock has a deep, smooth chocolate density and a long finish, but it starts out slow and has a big finish.  By blending the two blocks together we are able to combine the wonderful entry of Block H and the smooth dense finish of Block D making two singularly distinct wines one wonderful blend.  We hope you enjoy the fruits of our labor!!!

Organic and Biodynamic farming practices

Organic farming: Since the beginning of our farming in Napa Valley we have never used herbicides on our property. We have worked with cover crops and low tilling methods to reduce both our carbon foot print and increase the quality and sustainability of our soils. These methods have proven to both increase quality of our fruit as well as increase the depth of our topsoil. In the spring of 2007 Sullivan Vineyards committed to attain its organic certification and is in line to be certified CCOF (Certified California Organic Farmer) in the spring of 2010. We are excited about this distinction to be recognized as socially responsible farmers.
Biodynamic farming: Biodynamics was founded by Austrian scientist and social philosopher Rudolf Steiner in request from farmers in Germany who were looking for an alternative to the industrial agriculture that was being used at the time. They saw that the industrial agriculture practices were reducing the quality of their product and the vitality of their soil. Steiner introduced biodynamics in a series of 8 lectures in June of 1924, with an overall philosophy of treating a the vineyard or farm as a complete living organism.
Sullivan Vineyards has been working with Philippe Armenier since the spring of 2007 to help biodynamically transform our Galleron Rd property. To simplify what we do we can look at two main components of the practices:

Biodynamic Calendar: Following the biodynamic calendar to determine timing of vineyard practices such as cultivating, pruning, harvesting to name a few. The biodynamic calendar takes into consideration the moon cycles and other natural forces and how they influence plant life. For example the moon travels on an angle above and below the equator during each months rotation around the earth. Above the equator the tides are stronger and the pull on the sap of vines is stronger also. So to reduce the loss of this important life force of the vine we prune when the moon is below the equator.

Biodynamic Preparations: The other part of the biodynamic practices is the biodynamic tea preparations. There are nine sprays that are done at certain times of the year to attract and focus natural forces for the vines. They are highly diluted with water in their application. We spray maybe 3 ounces per acre of each nutrient. They include: Cow horns and manure - stimulates micro-organisms in the soil. Yarrow – high in potassium and stimulates absorption of trace minerals, Chamomile – high in calcium and potassium helps stimulate plant growth, Stinging Nettle – high in iron, potassium and calcium helps stimulate plant circulation, Cow horns and silica – enhances photosynthesis and helps strengthen vine cell structure, Oak bark – high in calcium and stimulates vines immune system, Dandelion – high in silica and potassium and attracts beneficial cosmic forces, Valerian – attracts light and warmth and helps protect the vines from long hot days, Horsetail – high in silica and helps prevent fungus formation.