We decided right from the start that Three Creek Vineyard should be farmed organically. Firstly it is better for the land – look at the dead earth between the rows of many vineyards and you can see that the plant and insect life is simply not there to rejuvenate the earth. Secondly we were convinced that wine made from fruit emanating from an organic environment has greater depth and flavors. Finally we did not want consumers to be drinking wine made from fruit exposed to pesticides.

Farming organically is more labor intensive than conventional farming and requires more stringent vineyard management and record keeping. Unlike conventional farming which permits the use of synthetic pesticides and weed killers and fertilizers, only products which have been approved and certified as organic may be used in the vineyard. Organic farming may be more expensive but we believe it is well worth it.

To get organic certification one applies to CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers). After establishing a record of organic farming over a five-year period we applied for and were granted current and retroactive organic certification by CCOF in 2007. CCOF is the only full service organic certification and trade association which provides organic certification according to standards set by the National Organic Program. It was founded in 1973 and was one of the first organizations to perform organic certification in North America and maintains one of the most consumer recognized and trusted seals in the organic market place.

Organic farming emphasizes the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. We use only organically approved materials in the vineyard and on the olive trees. Each year CCOF inspects the vineyard and our records to make sure that we still qualify for their seal.

To learn more about CCOF visit their website at www.ccof.org