Although we have 96 acres of vineyard planted, we have 150 acres in the hills that we leave for the wildlife. This was a decision made by Grandmother and Grandfather and one that successive generations have continued.

We know critters are around, but they sure keep a low profile. The best potential sightings are either early in the morning when we arrive to work or later in the evening. When we do spot a wild animal, we feel like we’ve won the lottery. It is an honor for us to share this ranch with them.

We have a wildlife camera that we set around the ranch to see who sneaks past us. We have many photos of deer, squirrels, skunks, raccoons and opossums. It’s always exciting when we see bobcats, coyotes and foxes.

While we are farming the land to make wine and provide work to almost twenty families, these animals also call the vineyard their home and where they find nourishment. (Owls and coyotes help to keep the moles and ground squirrels at bay from eating the vines.) They are a constant reminder of why it is important to farm with the lightest touch. (No herbicides sprayed in the vineyard for over 3 decades. No fertilizers added.) We want to ensure we are providing a clean and healthy habitat.

Check out a few video clips when the camera was set just outside the winery.

Of course having these neighbors and delicious grapes on the vines means that we do contend with animals enjoying the fruit, particularly the Malbec. I shared this photo on our Instagram stories and asked people to guess who might be enjoying the grapes. 

We had many guesses – raccoons, deer, turkey, squirrels and some amusing guesses – Sally the dog and Victor the French intern. So I set the camera in what I thought was just the right position to see if we could catch the perpetrator. After a few days, I checked it with excitement. Nothing. Hmm. I adjusted the angle. Days go by; I checked it again. Nothing. Unfortunately, the camera had died. Now, a new camera is on the way, and I am eagerly awaiting its arrival, hopefully before all the grapes are picked, so we can see who is having a lovely snack.

It's a privilege and honor to share this space with our furry neighbors. (Check back soon to learn about our feathered friends.) Seeing wildlife is a reminder of why we aim to reduce our impact on the planet whether through the ways that we farm, do business, conduct our personal lives or leave land undeveloped.