Joseph Brinkley, vineyard director, Fetzer Vineyards, joined other business leaders in lobbying Congress for comprehensive and effective national climate policies, including a tax on carbon.
Pointing to a soil study at Fetzer Vineyards’ Mendocino County, Calif., vineyards, Brinkley noted farming choices affect organic carbon storage in soil and above-ground plants. The study’s findings indicate that organic and other types of regenerative agriculture have a positive impact on soil health, and encourage us to continue exploring the dynamic relationship between soil and climate resilience.
The study found that total carbon storage in vineyards is substantial, averaging 51,481 pounds per acre, with 89% stores as soil organic carbon. The remainder is in above-ground plants, including vines.
Vineyards farmed with organic and Biodynamic methods stores 9.4% to 12.8% more SOC per acre than conventionally farmed vineyards.