A few years back, when I first visited the Grgich Hills Estate vineyard in American Canyon on a cold winter morning, the first thing I noticed was the biodiversity. As I entered the gates, I was greeted by a plethora of bird species — a flock of redwing blackbirds, a red-shouldered hawk perusing the vineyard rows, tree swallows, goldfinches, and yellow-rumped warblers basking in the morning sun. I ended up tallying 24 bird species on one visit (with the help of the Merlin ID app).
Throughout the property, there are multiple islands and corridors of pollinator habitat, hives of honeybees, owl and bird boxes, and raptor perches. There are also flower and vegetable gardens tended by and harvested for the vineyard crew, an olive grove, and flocks of ducks, chickens, and guinea hens. The site is grazed in the vineyard by sheep and on the periphery by the neighbor’s Hereford cattle. More…
