Climate

Ferrington is at the shallow, warmer end of The Anderson Valley - one of the coolest grape-growing regions type I or II on the Winkler scale. in California. The Navarro gap acts as a natural wind tunnel, hoovering dense marine air and fog from the Pacific and down to the south part of the valley at night before burning off in the late morning. This results in diurnal temperature shifts of up to 50 F. these cool nights pause sugar loading and preserve natural acids and flavors in the berry.

Topography

The planted area runs north to south along the valley floor at between 360 and 600 feet. All blocks have a gentle, south-facing aspect, maximizing solar exposure. The hillside supports oak and grassland, which in turn variously supports sheep, goats, cattle, horses and at least one llama. His name was Boris. He spat at people and did not get along with the sheep.

There are two agricultural ponds, one of which contains an unknown number of large catfish.

Soils

The predominant soil series is Pinole (sandy loam over clay loam), with some areas showing high subsoil rock content consistent with Talmage. A detailed soil analysis was conducted in 2022 by Vineyard Soil Technologies — Paul Anamosa and Nicholaus Madden, both Ph.D. soil scientists. Rock content averages nineteen percent in the top twenty-four inches, ranging from five to forty-eight percent depending on location. Soils are well-drained, slightly acid (pH 6.2–6.3), and moderately fertile.

All blocks are underlain by decomposed sandstone and clay, with three to four feet of topsoil above the bedrock, providing the drainage necessary to prevent the vines from becoming overly vigorous while retaining enough water to sustain them through the dry summers.

Farming

Blocks are defined by soil boundaries, not property lines, so that each planting is uniform in water availability, vine growth, and ripening profile. Our teams are experienced with some members having tended the same blocks and vines since 1999.

Pruning begins after leaf drop, during the dormant season.

The cool climate and wide diurnal temperature shifts increase quality also increase the danger of late spring frosts. Ferrington mitigates risk with a system of sprinklers and big v8 powered fans for the early mornings after bud break, when the danger is highest.

After bud break, depending on the varietal, the winemaker, and the row specific farming plan, our teams may pass through each vine three to five times, thinning canopy and dropping excess or uneven looking fruit. Thie extends the length of the growing season with the goal of improving tannin development, phenolic maturity, acid retention, and berry integrity.

Irrigation

Water management relies on deficit irrigation — withholding water before veraison. This reduces overall root volume, increases root thickness, and drives roots deeper into the subsoil. This improves nutrient uptake while simultaneously reducing canopy. The physiological result is smaller clusters and berries, slower sugar accumulation, and a later, more uniform onset of veraison.

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