Life. Land. Love. It’s all connected. They say wine is one of the purest beverages there is because it can occur naturally on its own without help from us. Maybe that’s why we love it so much—it comes from the land and is made better when shared with ones you love.
In winemaking, there’s a term called “élevage,” which means “bringing up” — nurturing and raising grapes in the vineyard and wine in the cellar using the best growing practices with little intervention and a careful touch. This technique develops the wine in a way that brings out its full potential, and it’s the philosophy that guides Z. Alexander Brown wines.
The owl is a guardian of the vine, and myths say it is present when the spirit is set free.
The owl has a deep connection to nature for me, much like the pure connection wine has to the land.
The viticulturists we work with have developed specially designed owl nesting boxes. These nocturnal predators hunt down and consume pesky rodents that damage tender young vines. This eliminates the need for chemical or other non-natural methods of protecting the fruit.
We respect the land and strive to act as long-term stewards. From water conservation and recycled resources to the use of owl boxes, rootstock selection and protective cover crops, our commitment to sustainable farming and winemaking practices always favor nature over man made controls.
© 2024 ALEXANDER BROWN WINES, NAPA, CA
