When I originally read this comment, my thoughts first turned to the “Walnut Meadows Vineyard” in Contra Costa County. In 2010, the City of Oakley hired local farmer and vineyard manager Alan Lucchesi to transplant 2,2000 own-rooted, century-old Alicante Bouschet vines from the old DuPont site to the “Legless Lizards Parcel”, between the BNSF railroad tracks and Walnut Meadows Dr.
The vines still produce grapes in their new home - now known as the “Walnut Meadows Vyd”. Cline Cellars buys the fruit each year.
Wine Berserkers: “Romick’s Vine Transplant Picture Book”
December 11, 2015
However, in re-reading official documents related to the preservation the 14-acre “José Vineyard” (aka “Dutch Slough Vyd”, aka “Emerson Vyd”, aka “Lucchesi Vyd”), I was struck by an assertion made by Mr Matt Cline of Three Wine Company:
“…It is the age of the vines, the unique micro-climate, and Delhi Sandy Loam soil that make the vineyard itself world class and it is the ability to continue making the wine from this vineyard which provides the proof that this model [dry-farming]works. It is the ‘age of the roots’ and not the exposed part of the vine that makes this vineyard special. The talk of transplanting these vines is not only impractical, irreparable ecological damage will occur to this incredible upland habitat.”
Ultimately, the own-rooted “Lucchesi Vineyard” was saved from destruction and left to peacefully coexist alongside native plants and wildlife of the Dutch Slough Salt Marsh Restoration Project.
In truth, I am not certain whether the uprooting and transplantation of grapevines leads to “irreparable ecological damage”. However, I can believe Mr Cline’s declaration that the laborious process of transplanting vines would be “impractical”, or at least a pain-in-the-@$$.
It has been 10 years since Oakley’s vineyard transplantation project. I often wonder if similar efforts have been undertaken elsewhere.
Agricultural Natural Resources Trust YouTube video:
“City of Oakley Agricultural Conservation & Viticulture Program”
June 21, 2013
