Natural Resources

At Dover Canyon, we are committed to preserving natural habitats and resources existing on our property, while practicing responsible and sustainable agriculture. We also actively campaign against waste of natural resources, and we support small-scale, sustainable agriculture.

ØOrganic Farming

Our walnut orchard and vineyard are seeded with natural cover crops of rye, barley, clover and mustard to encourage healthy soils, biodiversity and water retention.

ØNatural Gardening

Our winery gardens are composted and mulched with material from our lawns, garden and orchard. Completely natural and pesticide free, our gardens provide us with abundant crops of tomatoes, herbs, lettuces, vegetables and flowers.

ØWildlife Habitats

We are a certified wildlife habitat in the National Wildlife Federation’s registry.

In our landscaping, we carefully incorporate native California plants which provide food and habitat for butterflies, birds, small mammals and a myriad of other small creatures.  Our property also has centurion walnut and oak trees, a seven-acre walnut orchard, fruiting bushes, and areas of open grass which provide habitats for hawks, owls and other wildlife.

ØRecycling

We recycle our glass, cardboard, paper, plastic, aluminum, and computers.

ØWater Use

Our zinfandel is dry-farmed, with a viticultural emphasis on quality over quantity. Our farming practices incorporate mulching, composting and the use of cover crops to sustain the health of our soil and conserve water.

Our property received 7.5 acre-feet of rain in 2000, which equals over 3 million gallons of water.  Our estimated annual usage for our dryfarmed walnut orchard and vineyard, including home use, is less than 400,000 gallons.  The remaining 2.5 million gallons fill a seasonal creek and pond, and contribute to our local water table, preserving the bucolic surroundings of neighboring farms and forests.

ØPreserving local and national resources

We support charity events and publications that promote preservation, conservation, and creative approaches to resource protection.

ØFrom the June 2003 issue of National Wildlife:

Some certified "backyards" are actually on the grounds of small businesses, where customers get a free education about the value of gardening for wildlife. At Dover Canyon Winery (Habitat #29356), located in Paso Robles on California’s central coast near San Luis Obispo, owners Mary Baker and Dan Panico and their ten-year-old son, Troy, live in a 1920s farmhouse next to the winery barn. The habitat certification sign is on display in the tasting room.

"Our visitors are always interested and ask lots of questions," says Baker.

 

A baby skunk takes a quick nap in the natural weeds corridor along the perimeter of the syrah vineyard.  Where’s her mommy?