Low Input Viticulture and Enology
Wine quality and agricultural sustainability go hand in hand. Just as wine lovers cherish the health of their bodies, so does the responsible winegrower cherish the environment that gives him his fruit. Soter Vineyards is very proud of the fact that their sustainable agriculture practices have earned all Soter estate vineyards L.I.V.E. Certification.

Tony Soter's involvement in sustainable farming goes back to 1985, when he helped Spottswoode certify as an organic vineyard. In the years since, Soter has helped many other winegrowers either certify or practice environmentally sound techniques.

Just before harvest time, it is a common sight to see Tony and Michelle Soter strolling up and down the vine rows at Mineral Springs, sampling grapes for ripeness and flavor. Their children tag along behind them, savoring clutches of Pinot Noir grapes just for their sweetness. It goes without saying that pesticides and chemical fertilizers are not a part of the life of this family - or this vineyard.

What is L.I.V.E.?
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.