Growing grapes involves spraying but what and when you spray makes an enormous difference. Navarro’s vineyards are a buzz with beneficial insects in a diverse population of flowering cover crops. To insure that our fields stay teeming with life, we are reluctant to spray a lot of sulfur. Sulfur accounts for 70% of all chemicals sprayed on wine grapes. Although it is technically “organic”, it oxidizes into SO2, an ugly air pollutant. Several times during the growing season we spray with mineral oil instead. Works great for mildew and only needs to be sprayed once every two weeks instead of weekly like sulfur.

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Minimizing chemicals sometimes means farming with a hoe and a lot of sweat.



In 2001, we are replacing four sulfur sprays in our vineyards with two of mineral oil.

A 2-bud spur with leaves beginning to form. Eutypa, or deadarm, is a disease that costs California grape and apricot growers about $1.7 billion annually. It is a fungus, spread by rain with the infection entering through pruning wounds. Note the white stains around the pruning wound (lower left below the spur). Recently we started painting pruning wounds with a 30% solution of Dreft© and water.

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Along that same line, we don´t paint pruning wounds with heavy duty and expensive fungicides. A recent field study at the University of California showed that a popular brand of baby detergent in a 30% solution was as effective against Eutypa. Ironically it can’t be officially recommended because the baby soap manufacturer hasn’t spent the millions required to have it registered for vineyard use. Our soft approach to chemicals means our vineyards smells of herbs, flowers and earth. We think that shows in the flavors of Navarro’s wines. The 1999 Mendocino Pinot Noir is slightly floral with hints of violets and roses. The mouth is medium full with flavors suggesting strawberry and cherry. There are earthy, mushroom flavors as well and a backbone of toasty oak at a price that can’t be beat. Gold Medal winner. 1 case limit.