“Contrary to popular belief, Clos LaChance is not in the business of growing weeds.” 
Bill Murphy, Founder and CEO, Clos LaChance Winery
April 2, 2009

Why the statement from the big boss at our weekly company meeting?  We have some weeds in the vineyard that are growing over the vines. We’ve noticed them, and most importantly our guests have noticed them…and asked what the heck is going on.

Vineyard Manager Ben Scorsur explained that he really tries to shoot for only one herbicide application before Spring. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. A vineyard is always a work in progress.  Ben and his team are constantly dialing in best practices and applications.

This year, the weeds came up a little early. So we have some big (5 feet tall) weeds. No big deal. The guys are spraying as we speak (we have seen budbreak out there….so we don’t want the vines to have to compete for nutrients and water in the soil now that they are awake)  and they will burn down (from the herbicide) in a few weeks.

But reducing our applications of herbicides to one pass instead of two is important to note. Less chemicals, reduced man hours, less tractor emissions and soil impaction from the tractor passes. It’s all part of our quest to be more sustainable as a company.  

Gone are the days of vineyards with perfectly manicured rows without a weed in sight. Weeds grow on bare earth, unless you continually scorch it with chemicals.  So what we want is grasses and plants that are beneficial to grape growing….and encourage them to grow on bare earth vs. spraying a bunch of chemicals on the ground.  For example, legumes are a natural way to increase the nitrogen levels in the soil.

So if you come to Clos LaChance this Spring—and you most definitely should (this weekend we are excited for our Odd Bottle Sale), don’t dis our crop of weeds. Ultimately, they are helping the environment.  Function over form-who cares how the vineyard looks...let's just grow some good grapes!