![Ungrafted artwork](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts124/v4/83/8e/1f/838e1f93-8a1f-eaf2-c064-b27f16af93fb/mza_7706709376959453937.jpg/100x100bb.jpg)
Episode 17: Steve Matthiasson on Water Conservation in the Vineyard
Ungrafted
English - May 12, 2021 15:34 - 45 minutes - 41.2 MB - ★★★★★ - 30 ratingsFood Arts biodynamic wine organic viticulture wine women biodiversity labor environment minorities regenerative agriculture eco-friendly Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
I speak with Steve Matthiasson, vineyard consultant and owner of Matthiasson Vineyards in Napa, about water conservation in the vineyard.
Steve gives an overview of Napa’s climate and how farming practices have changed over the last 20 years. He cautions that drought cycles are more extreme and that all indicators show that there will be less water in the future. He discusses farming practices that help conserve water including planting cover crops, increasing soil organic matter, tilling differently, changing row orientations, and using different trellising systems and deeper rooted rootstocks. It turns out that farming practices that conserve water are also good for the soil.
Steve also talks about how certain wine styles require more irrigation, and that there is an aspect to sustainability on the consumer side as well.
Photo Credit: Elaine Chukan Brown
Instagram: matthiasson_wine
Website: matthiasson.com