Rooted in Renewal: How Regenerative Farming Shapes Our Vineyard

At Todhunter Vineyards, we believe that the land we steward today is a gift borrowed from future generations. While the wine we craft is meant to be savored in the moment, our farming practices are focused on something far more enduring: regeneration.

You may have heard the term regenerative agriculture gaining popularity, but what does it really mean—especially for a vineyard? In short, it’s a way of farming that gives back more than it takes. Regenerative practices go beyond sustainability; they aim to rebuild soil health, improve biodiversity, and strengthen the resilience of the land over time. Here on our vineyard in the rolling hills of Southwest Pennsylvania, regenerative farming isn’t a trendy label—it’s a deeply held philosophy. Here’s how we’re putting it into practice:

🌱 Soil First: Building a Living Foundation

Healthy soil is at the heart of everything we do. Rather than rely on synthetic fertilizers, we use compost, cover crops, and mulch to feed the vines and the microbes that make our soil vibrant and alive. We plant a cover crop between our vine rows - a mixture of grasses, legumes, mustards, milkweeds—which prevents erosion, fixes nitrogen, and supports pollinators. Some of our cover mix does dual-duty: some say the milkweeds will kill the dreaded Spotted Lanternfly, and the roots of members of the mustard family exude chemicals that inhibit the population of harmful soil nematodes. Annual ryegrass and radishes are plants that have deep taproots that break up soils, improve water infiltration, and scavenge nutrients from deep beneath the surface. We also avoid tilling, which can disturb soil structure and release stored carbon. By keeping our soil intact, we’re helping it retain more water, resist drought, and support stronger vine roots.

🐞 Welcoming Biodiversity: The More, the Merrier

Monocultures—planting just one crop across vast acreage—leaves us vulnerable to pests and disease. Instead, we’re cultivating diversity in and around our vineyard. This includes native wildflowers to attract beneficial insects. We're even trying to figure out how to keep flocks of chickens on the vineyard to combat insect infestation and provide some enriching fertilizer along the way. (How to protect them from predators and keep them from eating the grapes are questions we haven't answered yet!)

A balanced ecosystem helps reduce our need for insecticide sprays and allows nature to play an active role in vine health.

♻️ Water Wisdom and Nutrient Cycling

Water is precious, and we treat it that way. By improving our soil’s organic matter, we’re increasing its ability to manage water and reduce runoff. Our vineyard design follows the natural contours of the land, encouraging water to soak in where it’s needed instead of running off with valuable nutrients.

Any prunings, grape pomace, or compostable waste from the winemaking process is returned to the soil in some form—completing the cycle.

🌾 Working With, Not Against, the Seasons

Vineyard harvest schedules are extremely variable based on numerous factors, but most other agricultural activities can be considered adjustable as conditions warrant. So, instead of a rigid schedule, we try to work with seasonal rhythms. For example, winter pruning, mowing, and vineyard floor management are necessary activities that might need to be done earlier rather than later, depending on weather conditions. Some activities, such as application of insect sprays (we use products containing Neem and other organic farm-friendly products) might end up getting skipped!

Working this way is often not the fastest or easiest—but we find it rewarding. We think that, through these practices, we can nurture stronger vines, better grapes, and create great wines that truly reflect the spirit of this place.

🍇 Why It Matters

Regenerative farming is a long-term investment. It means we’re not just making wine for this year’s harvest—we’re laying the groundwork for decades of healthy soil, strong vines, and vibrant biodiversity. And here’s the best part: grapes grown on living, resilient land carry a unique character that shines through in the wine. When you open a bottle from Todhunter Vineyards, you’re tasting more than just the fruit—you’re tasting the stones, soil, rain, and wind. We invite you to come walk the vineyard with us, learn about our regenerative practices firsthand, and experience how good stewardship can yield both beauty and bounty.

Great wine starts with great soil—and great soil must be guarded and nurtured with care.

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📅 Upcoming Event: Join us this fall for our “Botany and Biodiversity Walk,” a guided ramble through our vines, woods, and wildflower gardens—where you’ll see regenerative agriculture in action.

🍷 Until then, we’ll be out in the vineyard, letting nature lead the way.