Cover crops are planted every year to enhance biodiversity, minimize soil erosion, control weeds, fertilize the soil without chemical inputs, and improve the structure and microbial activity of the soil.
Advanced Irrigation Techniques –
We use controlled, pin-point systems of irrigation to apply the minimal amount of water for conservation and plant health.
Pest and Invasive Plant Control –
Only minimal inputs are used and never any synthetic pesticides or herbicide. Integrated Pest Management techniques are used to maintain balance in the vineyard. We work to control any disease or pest before it becomes a problem through intense monitoring and increased biodiversity in all of our farming practices.
Habitat Maintenance –
Wine flavors are enhanced when the grapes are grown in an environment that retains an essence of its natural state. When planning a new vineyard, we insist on allowing for extensive stands of native habitat. We provide songbird and owl boxes and raptor roosts to help restore the balance and foster pest control. We plant native plants, insectaries, orchards and gardens throughout the properties to increase the habitat for beneficial insects and reptiles and birds. We control and seek to eradicate invasive species to protect our native habitat. Our farming methods minimize runoff into streams and riparian areas to help provide for a sustainable salmon and steelhead population.
We try to work with locally-owned small businesses in order to help strengthen and build our communities. Enterprise Vineyards uses recycled and reused materials whenever possible and we are continually looking for ways to decrease our footprint.
Enterprise Vineyards was established in 1979 by Phil Coturri, a lifelong farmer and Sonoma Valley's leading organic viticulturalist, with over 600 acres of vines certified with the CCOF under his supervision.
Miguel Santoyo was born in Uruapan, Michoacan. He attended Michoacan High School Technolgica II and has attended viticultural seminars at UC Davis. When Miguel was 16 he and his father, Tibercio, came to Sonoma to work. He has worked for EV for over 20 years and does everything from the ground up. He loves the work and the people. In his time off, Miguel works on his house and in his garden and spends time with his wife and daughters.
Jesse Apgar was born and raised in the lovely hills overlooking Sonoma Valley. He earned a classic education from the local high school, followed with diligent tutelage under famous hippie winemakers, grape growers and poets.
I found myself working at EV after I woke from a haze and was looking for a purpose. I quickly fell in love with hard work and long hours. Now my duty at EV consists of mostly all tasks under the sun, general management. But most importantly, maintaining morale and keeping drama down to a minimum. I used to be called the EV staff psychologist. I still work at EV because one day I hope to rule the world and EV has been the springboard job for a lot of 3rd world dictators. You can't have evil without EV. My interests include: hot, hot grape babes, phallic mushroom hunting, getting up on hard rocks and long romantic walks in the woods.
Chris Bowman is Irrigation and Fertigation Manager, and responsible for general ranch maintenance and repairs. He studied Mechanical Engineering and Product Design for two years at Arizona State University, and for four years Product Design at the Academy of Art College, San Francisco.
In the past four years, I have moved work outside and more hands on. Starting with a small family vineyard I began learning all aspects of the wine industry. I was brought into the Enterprise Vineyards family about three years ago, where I continue to learn and expand my education in organic and biodynamic practices.
Natalie Birch was born and raised in Sonoma County. She is a 2001 graduate of St. Mary's College with a degree in Environmental Studies and started at EV as an intern in 2007 after working a couple of harvests at a winery. Natalie has become our Assistant Viticulturalist, and continues to work for EV because she is committed to the progressive organic/biodynamic practices that EV uses to grow the vineyards that we manage.
James Drummond
I worked at Kamen Estate Wines for 2 years as the cellarmaster, but after deciding that I enjoyed vineyard work more, I returned to work at Enterprise Vineyards. I have many different tasks depending on the time of year.
Marco Torres
Hello, My Name is Marco Antonio Vicente Torres. I was born in Urapan Michocan Mexico on September 14, 1980. From when I was little it was my dream to emigrate to the United States. I arrived in the United States in September of 2002 and began to work for Enterprise Vineyards. This is my first job in the United States.
Kari Flores
After earning her degree at UC Davis and working in the garment industry for many years, Kari said "good-bye city life" and started her own "Green Acres" in Napa. Already armed with plant science/horticulture minor, she returned to school to earn a viticulture and winemaking degree. This led to extensive experience in viticulture and pest management in Napa and Sonoma counties, and her current work at EV as a viticulturist. Where did she gained her penchant for squishing bugs? Nobody knows. Perhaps a nefarious insect bite a la Peter Parker (Spiderman) provided the inspiration. Rumor has it that she is not only goofy-footed but card-carrying "Crazy" for establishing and maintaining her own organic vineyard, Crazy Flower farm. She didn't stick to the traditional cat collection as most crazy ladies do. Her menagerie includes White German Shepherd dogs, Cuckoo Marans chickens, Olde English Babydoll Southdown sheep, and honeybees.
Enterprise welcomes inquiries and can respond best to emails.
For web related inquiries: ditty@enterprisevineyards.com
For general inquiries: pcoturri@enterprisevineyards.com
P.O. BOX 259, Sonoma, CA 95476 Phone: (707) 996-6513 Fax: (707) 996-9630
Phil’s video interview with the Organic Wine Journal is available on their website.
The article written for the Rodale Institute titled “Ahead of the Curve” offers an insight into the methods that have resonated with so many of the Valley’s leading winemakers.
You can also read more about us and our work on the websites of a few of the vineyards we manage: Amapola Creek, Oakville Ranch Vineyards, Kamen Estate Wines. There is also a video interview with Phil on the Bedrock Wine Co. blog.
Usage of two of the photographs here was generously provided by Susana Millman. You can view more of her work online at www.mamarazi.com.
