1. Dry Farm Vineyard Soils Store Water More Efficiently and Have Healthier Soil Than Irrigated Counterparts Miguel (presenter) presented findings from a study with the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance on 15 dry farm vineyards (30 sites) across Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino. Dry farm vineyard soils scored within or above average on soil health indicators compared to a 600+ sample database of irrigated vineyards, and every site stored water at or above expected levels based on soil texture. Notably, root systems extended to 5–6 feet deep—presenters noted this appeared deeper than what field crews commonly see in irrigated vineyards, but no irrigated control dataset was included in this study—and moisture was observed moving upward from deeper soil layers late in the season, suggesting these vines can access water from deeper soil layers later in the season. Tillage did not appear to harm soil health as long as compost and cover crops were also used.
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