CARING FOR OUR EARTH

We love our earth and we embrace the way the Native Americans nurtured and cared for the earth by the way they lived in harmony with nature.  Our goal is to mimic, in as many ways as possible, that same relationship.

Here on Auburn Twin Oaks farm, we have taken many steps to lessen our negative impact on this land.

• Our 65 acre property is in the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, ensuring this land will be a safe habitat for natural wildlife species for years to come.

• Rainwater from the pavilion roof is captured and pumped into the water tower for irrigation purposes.

• Landscaping beds are native Ohio wildflower perennials, eliminating the need for unnecessary watering and fertilizing, and encouraging food and shelter for wildlife.

• Bluebird boxes encourage habitats for once-endangered birds to help control crop-damaging insects.

• We do not use any chemicals on our lawns or gardens.

• Vermiculture (worms) and composting is used to process kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, grape pumice, stems, prunings and garden waste.  This material is then used to build the health and fertility of our garden and vineyard soil.

Unfortunately, growing grapes in Ohio is a very difficult without the use of some chemicals.  The wet springs and warm summers promote many types of fungal diseases that can wipe out an entire vineyard.  Although we do use chemicals on the vineyard, we continue to research ways to minimize and hopefully someday, eliminate our need to spray.

In the winery……

• Ozone water is used for sanitization – no harsh chemicals are used for cleaning.

• Closely monitored and controlled fermentation

• Waste water is collected and re-used 

• Bottles are filled, capped and labeled by hand. Our focus on premium, small batch production eliminates the need for automated production methods.

• Screw caps are used which eliminates the need for cork, and also contributes to improved aging with less product loss due to spoilage.