22 | EDIBLE PORTLAND SPRING 2025 One of the vineyard's most intriguing practices is its commitment to planting various grape varietals alongside one another. This interplanting technique not only enhances the vineyard's resilience against diseases but also promotes a richer and more complex flavor profile in the wines produced. The philosophy behind this practice is rooted in the belief that a diverse ecosystem leads to healthier vines and, ultimately, more vibrant wines. In addition to grapes, Johan Vineyards has also incorporated various cover crops into its vineyard management strategy. These crops, including clover and vetch, serve multiple purposes: they enhance soil health, attract beneficial insects, and suppress weed growth. By enriching the soil and creating a pollinator habitat, Johan Vineyards fosters an ecosystem that thrives without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. The wide array of Johan Vineyard’s plantings teaches a broader lesson: diversity is paramount. Whether in a garden, vineyard, or society, the more we see many able to participate individually to create a richer whole, the better. The Role of Animals A key element of the vineyard's sustainable practices is the integration of animals into the ecosystem. When Wood came aboard as the vineyard manager, he envisioned putting animals to work on the property. In his words, "Johan has been and continues to be a progressive farming site. [It] is always moving forward." Progress can seem to have a glacial pace when working with a piece of land. However, by integrating systems of life throughout the property, Johan Vineyards has seen rapid changes and a new avenue to capture the attention and interest of visitors. On any given day, one may see chickens happily scratching in the dirt, free to roam and forage among the vines, and their diet helps to manage pests naturally. Their scratch-andpeck behavior can break up soil and help aerate it, promoting a healthier root system for the grapevines. Additionally, the manure from the chickens serves as an excellent natural fertilizer, enriching the soil without applying synthetic options. Sheep are rotated through the vineyard, grazing on grass and weeds, which not only keeps the undergrowth in check but also minimizes the need for mowing, which, along with their manure, continues to strengthen the soil biome of Johan Vineyards. This rotational grazing allows these animals to have a balanced diet while reducing tractor passes in the vineyard. This means less soil compaction in the soil biome and less fossil fuel is used on the farm. In his observations about less diesel being used in farming at Johan, Wood says, "[the sheep] save me two mow passes a year. Those are the mow passes in late April and May when it is usually wet and causing compaction." It's all a system, and the animals are as much a part of the team as anyone else. A Dedicated Workforce While the sheep and chickens are indeed hard at work, the heart of Johan Vineyards is its passionate and dedicated team. As previously mentioned, Dan Rinke worked at Johan Vineyards for 14 years before moving on to self-employment and pursuing his own label full-time. Head winemaker Morgan Beck has been with the company since 2015 after starting in the tasting room and moving through the ranks to where she is now. During our interview, Beck said of the former owner Sundby, “[he] did not come from a farming or agriculture background and fell into the business via the guidance and curiosity of his employees. Some of the best stories about Johan were born from the openness that Sundby had with allowing Rinke and me to forge ahead.” The people who work here are not just employees; they are stewards of the land, each playing a crucial role in executing the vineyard's vision for sustainability. Each team member shares a deep commitment to organic and biodynamic farming principles, which underpin the vineyard’s practices. Wood and Beck enthusiastically spoke about one man, vineyard foreman Melchor Cabrera, who is backed up by his brothers, Arturo and Baltazar. “The real truth of it, how
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