Welcoming nature back to the vineyard
LangeTwins Winery looks to boost habitat restoration, sustainability
When Aaron Lange became the lead vineyard manager of LangeTwins Winery in 2003, he took on the responsibility of overseeing the sustainability and habitat restoration programs for his family’s winery in Acampo.
The winery was built on East Jahant Road in Acampo in 2006 on land that had previously been used for cow pastures, which left the area devoid of plant life that was home to rabbits, birds, insects and other wildlife, Lange explained. During the winery’s construction, Lange knew that he wanted to make their farming and winemaking practices as sustainable as possible to repair some of the damage caused by years of cattle grazing.
“In building the winery, we thought about how to decrease the negative impact we have on the environment and increase the positive impact, and that’s really my definition of sustainability. In every action we perform, how can we reduce the negative impact and maximize the positive?” Lange said.
Lange oversaw the planting of native plants such as oak trees, California wild roses
“The point is that we can’t exist in bubbles. We all affect each other, and the more we understand that, the better off we’ll be.” AARON LANGE LEAD VINEYARD MANAGER, LANGETWINS WINERY
and valley elderberry shrubs on a patch of land directly across from the winery and tasting room. The San Joaquin Audubon Society helped with the planting in the riparian zone, which refers to an area close to a river or stream, Lange explained.
“We worked with the Audubon Society to consult and match funds to extend this riparian zone. What we’re trying to do is improve the riparian zone and get it back to what it used to be. Hopefully, in 15 or 20 years, it’ll look more like a forest,” Lange said.
The habitat, as well as the vineyards, are irrigated with recycled water used in the winery after being treated. Lange made sure that the plants are native to the area and serve as a habitat for pollinating species such as bees, butterflies and birds, as well as the endangered valley elderberry longhorn beetle. The habitat also includes a stormwater pond that can be used as a reservoir for firefighters, should they need it.
In addition to the Audubon Society, Center For Land-Based Learning’s Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship (SLEWS) Program brought students from a local high school to plant the oak trees from acorns, which Lane explained are the exact species that naturally grow in the area. The program also gave both Lange and the students opportunities to learn about habitat restoration and water management, for which he was extremely grateful.
“The point is that we can’t exist in bubbles. We all affect each other, and the more we understand that, the better off we’ll be. I’m a farmer, not a habitat restorationist. Everything I learned, I learned from working with other professionals such as biologists from EBMUD, and we’re all learning as we go, ” Lange said.
An island in the middle of the stormwater pond serves as a nesting site for migratory birds such as tri-colored blackbirds, red-winged blackbirds, various hawks and even a pair of Canada geese. Lange hopes to attract wood ducks, but he has not seen any yet.
“There are not a lot of safe havens for birds. If we can take 10 to 15 feet from each vineyard and give a little back, all of a sudden we’ll have a little home for native flora and fauna, and they won’t have to be isolated,” Lange said.
A number of drought-resistant plants line the vineyards’ fences, serving as a corridor allowing wildlife to move from the Jahant Slough to the Mokelumne River. The plants also act as a buffer for the vineyard, helping to prevent water loss and keeping dust from getting into the air.
When Pacific Gas and Electric Co. cut down oak trees along Jahant Road to install a gas line four years ago, due to potential fire hazards should the gas line burst, Lange was concerned about the habitat loss in the area. He contacted PG&E and requested an $18,00 grant, which paid for 25 Lodi High School students to plant shrubs provided by East Bay Municipal Utility District such as California buckwheat, which attracts pollinating species.
“We took a whole bag of lemons and made lemonade. To their credit, PG&E came to the table and donated, and that’s fantastic. Even though we’re three miles from the Mokelumne River, it all connects to the watershed. We need to do what we can to minimize erosion, be good stewards of the land and learn every day,” Lange said
Lange mentioned that the Lodi Winegrape Commission has also been working to find techniques
that minimize a winery’s impact on the environment, and hopes that LangeTwins’ habitat restoration efforts will inspire other wineries and vineyards to adopt similar programs. He also spoke of the importance of educating students about farming, some of whom are quickly approaching voting age.
“This is part of who we are at LangeTwins, and we try to get one program every few years. We work with SLEWS to bring students out because educating our next generation
is important. Kids are getting more and more disconnected from where their food comes from and how important farms are for food sources and California’s economy. It really connects the dots for students who haven’t been on a farm before,” Lange said.
Lange will give a presentation on these programs at the Lodi Lake Nature Area Docents meeting today from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Lodi Police Department’s Community Room, located at 215 W. Elm St.