LOW INPUT VITICULTURE AND ENOLOGY, Inc.
, was incorporated in 1997 to promote sustainable, low-impact wine farming in Western Oregon. L.I.V.E. gives growers and wineries official recognition for their agricultural practices, according to the guidelines of The International Organization for Biological Control, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
These guidelines are highly regarded by winemakers and consumers worldwide. They provide assurance of fruit quality and the ecologically friendly practices used to achieve this quality.
Under the L.I.V.E. program, winegrowers are given a list of both required and prohibited vineyard practices. The program also requires that growers practice a number of earth-friendly techniques, and a "point system" was developed to measure grower performance and encourage adherence to L.I.V.E.'s protocols. Viticulturalists and vineyard owners are encouraged to continually improve their L.I.V.E. score and minimize their environmental footprint.
OUR PRACTICES
No insecticides or persistent herbicides are ever employed in our vineyards, thus protecting the natural flora and fauna in the vineyard, not to mention nearby watersheds.
No GMOs are in use at Soter Vineyards.
Biodiversity in the vineyard is maintained by inventorying all plant and animal species - this diversity is augmented by planting wildflowers and diverse varieties of plants in several areas on the property. This nurtures naturally-occurring insects and fungi that compete biologically with vineyard pests. A balanced ecosystem is the hallmark of a healthy vineyard.
Alternate rows of vine pathways are cultivated in nitrogen-fixing legumes, such as peas and beans, that constitute "green manure." This material provides essential nitrogen and other minerals to the vines in the most sustainable way.
It is Tony and Michelle's sincere hope that Soter Vineyards will one day be entrusted to the next generation, and towards that end Soter Vineyards' farming practices in Willamette Valley remain focused on long-term sustainability and quality. That commitment will become evident to you the moment you open a bottle of Soter Vineyards wine.
Increasingly, people are gravitating toward sustainable viticulture due to the high quality of the wines it produces, a bigger reason is because of the legacy it leaves. By practicing sustainable grape growing and winemaking, we are ensuring that the land, animals, and rivers to which many of our vineyards drain will still be here for generations to come.