Full Circle with Earth’s Bounty
Fairsing Vineyard is founded upon three fundamental pillars— Family, Earth and Smile.
Our one hundred eighty-acre estate of vines, temperate rainforest and oak savannah maintains a stewardship philosophy echoing these tenets, and in honoring a commitment to conservancy, Fairsing introduced holistic farming to the estate in 2018.
Globally referred to as “bioactive farming”, our efforts further strengthen the health of the vineyard ecosystem while complementing our existing L.I.V.E. Certified sustainable practices.
Bioactive Farming
So what exactly is “bioactive farming”? Pioneered by Rudolph Steiner, the late 19th century Austrian philosopher and polymath, bioactive farming represents a philosophy of utilizing an integrated approach in treating the farm as a self-contained, closed-loop system, free from synthetic inputs.
Viewing each individual farm as part of a larger natural system, the lunar calendar is typically referenced for key farming decisions, as is a healthy dose of personal “intention” when initiating the farming itself.
Super-charged Compost
In an exploratory context Fairsing “super-charged” various areas of the estate with a specially formulated compost, crafted with homeopathic preparations which follow a detailed dogma in procuring and preserving a collection of naturally occurring ingredients. The preparations were then integrated with cow manure and straw to form a unique compost blend.
In December 2018 Fairsing inoculated its first batch of compost – nearly 20 cubic yards, situated on the west side of vineyard.
The compost cured over the winter months and application was initiated ahead of the growing season, beginning with the newly planted Chardonnay in block 17.
Cast Away
Each season Fairsing experiments with components of our compost formula and in October of 2021, nearly 10,000 red wiggler earthworms were added to the mix.
Family, Earth, and Smile
Considering again Fairsing’s three pillars, we observe the connection between farming and the natural environment:
Family: ecologists and biologists are discovering that a vineyard is just one component in a far more connected and expansive ecosystem.
For Fairsing, the vines cohabitate with numerous species of fungi and bacteria, old-growth fir, avian raptors, coyotes, porcupines and even the occasional black bear. It is this diverse community of species that makes Fairsing and the Willamette Valley so special.
Earth references our sanctity of place: here, bounded by the Cascade and Coast Mountains, within the spectacular Yamhill-Carlton AVA, a humble region known for ancient maritime soils conducive to exceptional viticulture and illuminated by the AVA’s motto “Down to Earth”.
It is this direct connection to nature which we strive to nurture.
Lastly, how can one not smile when hunched over a heaping pile of compost, stirring in homeopathic quantities of oak bark and yarrow, all the while contemplating what may be larger cosmic forces at work.
It is the coalescence of these convictions that help us to find joy in life, in this ethereal dance of farming.
Down to Earth
For an excellent introduction to biodynamics and winemaking in Oregon, we recommend reading Katherine Cole’s, Voodoo Vintners.
Learn more about biodiversity and sustainable initiatives at Fairsing Vineyard.
Full Circle with Earth’s Bounty
Fairsing Vineyard is founded upon three fundamental pillars— Family, Earth and Smile.
Our one hundred eighty-acre estate of vines, temperate rainforest and oak savannah maintains a stewardship philosophy echoing these tenets, and in honoring a commitment to conservancy, Fairsing introduced holistic farming to the estate in 2018.
Globally referred to as “bioactive farming”, our efforts further strengthen the health of the vineyard ecosystem while complementing our existing L.I.V.E. Certified sustainable practices.
Bioactive Farming
So what exactly is “bioactive farming”? Pioneered by Rudolph Steiner, the late 19th century Austrian philosopher and polymath, bioactive farming represents a philosophy of utilizing an integrated approach in treating the farm as a self-contained, closed-loop system, free from synthetic inputs.
Viewing each individual farm as part of a larger natural system, the lunar calendar is typically referenced for key farming decisions, as is a healthy dose of personal “intention” when initiating the farming itself.
Super-charged Compost
In an exploratory context Fairsing “super-charged” various areas of the estate with a specially formulated compost, crafted with homeopathic preparations which follow a detailed dogma in procuring and preserving a collection of naturally occurring ingredients. The preparations were then integrated with cow manure and straw to form a unique compost blend.
In December 2018 Fairsing inoculated its first batch of compost – nearly 20 cubic yards, situated on the west side of vineyard.
The compost cured over the winter months and application was initiated ahead of the growing season, beginning with the newly planted Chardonnay in block 17.
Cast Away
Each season Fairsing experiments with components of our compost formula and in October of 2021, nearly 10,000 red wiggler earthworms were added to the mix.
Family, Earth, and Smile
Considering again Fairsing’s three pillars, we observe the connection between farming and the natural environment:
Family: ecologists and biologists are discovering that a vineyard is just one component in a far more connected and expansive ecosystem.
For Fairsing, the vines cohabitate with numerous species of fungi and bacteria, old-growth fir, avian raptors, coyotes, porcupines and even the occasional black bear. It is this diverse community of species that makes Fairsing and the Willamette Valley so special.
Earth references our sanctity of place: here, bounded by the Cascade and Coast Mountains, within the spectacular Yamhill-Carlton AVA, a humble region known for ancient maritime soils conducive to exceptional viticulture and illuminated by the AVA’s motto “Down to Earth”.
It is this direct connection to nature which we strive to nurture.
Lastly, how can one not smile when hunched over a heaping pile of compost, stirring in homeopathic quantities of oak bark and yarrow, all the while contemplating what may be larger cosmic forces at work.
It is the coalescence of these convictions that help us to find joy in life, in this ethereal dance of farming.
Down to Earth
For an excellent introduction to biodynamics and winemaking in Oregon, we recommend reading Katherine Cole’s, Voodoo Vintners.
Learn more about biodiversity and sustainable initiatives at Fairsing Vineyard.
