There are two biocomplex cover crop mixes we recommend for Certified Wholistically Grown™ wine grapes. Red flowers for red grapes, white flowers for white grapes. The mixes are 15% mustard (for calcium) and roughly 85% legumes (for nitrogen).

Occasionally other herbs and/or secale rye may be added in small amounts of less than 3 - 5% of the mix. Secale rye is especially effective in suppressing phylloxera. Avoid grasses, beans, radishes, burdock and odorous plants that may taint the wine. Indigenous flora and weeds will balance out in your vineyard over time. Any planting, sowing or removal of other plants in and around the vineyard, such as blackberries or roses, may have a positive or negative effect on the flavors and aromas in the winegrapes. Red grapes are especially susceptible to these influences.

Why red flowers for red grapes, and white with white?

As with all things, colors can be measured in terms of frequency and vibrations. Simply speaking, the red vibration of color, and the white vibration of color provide a sense of harmony in the fields with the various vines. And they look good. Harmony encourages flavors to come out. Believe it or not, scientific tests have shown that each color has a taste and by surrounding the vines with colors similar to the grapes, you create an environment that intensifies the red “flavor” in red grapes, the white ‘flavor” in white grapes. It also attracts the right kinds of insects so essential to creating the complex flavors and aromas in the vines and the wines. Science will eventually prove this out.

Ground covers can be tailored to the individual needs of the varietals and the fecundity of the fields as you fine tune
your cover crop program. Depending on soil conditions and organic matter, some crops are tilled in, others are mowed.
Each varietal has its own personality. Red grapes more powerfully draw what is in and around the vineyard better
than white grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon is the king, Merlot the queen and Pinot Noir the spoiled prince of vines. Chardonnay is like a sensitive, crotchety old man, Syrah a Deva influenced by your emotions, Cabernet Franc the protector of the vines and wine, Zinfandel is like a puppy eager to please and Sauvignon Blanc is steady and reliable.

To Learn how to double and triple your profits, get a certificate of completion as a Certified Wholistic™ Farmer and get Certified Wholistically Grown™, get your ticket to the Wholistic Agriculture™ Conference 2007.

Go to the events page and sign up for the next conference to get trained and Certified in Wholistic Agriculure™.