- Biochar is a remarkable soil amendment for grape growing. In particular, it increases grape production and grape quality by aiding water and nutrient retention in the soil. And because biochar does not degrade it does not require frequent reapplication. The increased grape production can result in a rapid return on investment. (Here’s a link to a report from the Department of Water Resources with data from a 7-year experiment adding biochar to Pinot Noir vines in Salinas that saw a 30% increase in grape production: view report.
- In regards to climate change, biochar represents one of the best technologies for carbon capture and storage. It is composed almost entirely of carbon that was recently removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis (a ton of dry biochar equates to around 3.6 tons of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere). And once buried in the soil, biochar will remain there for 100s to 1000s of years, making it the most reliable method for stable carbon storage. This is especially relevant in comparison to adding wood chips to the soil due to the relatively short residence time of wood chips (around 5 years until fully decomposed).
- For our operations in particular, our biochar is locally produced either on vineyards from pulled vines or in nearby forest fire-defense fuel-reduction efforts where its production contributes to reducing the fire danger in the Sonoma and Napa Valley region. We use the low-value timber that is otherwise burned in burn piles or chipped into mulch.
- From the fire and air quality side, removing this low-value wood from Napa county / WUI land is critical and mandated to protect communities from increasingly severe wildfires, and biochar production is substantially lower polluting, producing almost no smoke and releasing half the CO2 compared to burn piles and wood chipping.
- Our production methods employ flame-cap kilns. This technology is simple, scalable, and mobile, allowing us to make a meaningful impact on the forests and vineyards of Napa Valley.
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