At one of our vineyards we’ve brought in some new coworkers who don’t require much training. Earlier this month, we welcomed a flock of 200 sheep to help us between the vines. It’s part of our ongoing effort to make great wine while treating soil with the respect it deserves.
We’ve always believed that the best wines come from healthy vineyards, and healthy vineyards come from minimal intervention. Instead of bringing in machines or chemicals to manage the growth between our vines, we’re letting these woolly workers do what they do best. It’s straightforward, effective, and honestly, way more fun to watch.
From Cover Crop to Clean Rows
Every fall, we plant cover crops between our rows—plants that help protect and nourish Oregon’s soil through the rainy season, prevent erosion, and create homes for beneficial insects.
But when spring hits and our vines wake up, we need those resources going to the grapes not competing with new vines that need all the focus going to their growth. Enter the sheep—nature’s lawn mowers with built-in fertilizer spreaders.
Why Sheep Just Make Sense
The sheep aren’t just cute (though they definitely are,) they’re actually perfect vineyard partners:
- They tread lightly: Unlike heavy equipment that compacts soil, sheep move gently through the vineyard without damaging the earth or vine roots.
- They fertilize as they go: Each sheep deposits perfectly sized, organic fertilizer exactly where we need it. Can’t get more local than that.
- They’re selective eaters: The sheep clear the cover crop while leaving the vines alone—precision work that would be tough with machines.
- They reduce our carbon footprint: Less mowing means less fuel burned, which means better drinking weather in the future. (We care about that sort of thing.)
The Sheep Squad in Action
We worked with Jared of Naked Grazing, a local shepherd who knows his stuff when it comes to regenerative agriculture. Together, we section off about two acres at a time with portable fencing. The flock clears an entire section in just 1-3 days before moving to the next.
One day you see a field of lush cover crop, and a few days later, it’s all neatly trimmed and ready for vine growth.
Baby Lambs and New Vines
This spring brought a bonus to our vineyard. In an area where we recently planted new vines, some of the ewes welcome their lambs into the world. There’s something pretty special about seeing new life begin among young vines—both representing fresh starts and future potential.
These newest members of the flock took their first wobbly steps between our vineyard rows at the end of April, creating a moment that perfectly captures what we’re all about—working with nature, not against it.
Old Ways, New Wine
Working with Naked Grazing represents exactly what we’re all about at Union—finding simple, smart solutions that respect Oregon’s land while making great wine everyone can enjoy.
Sometimes the most innovative approaches are actually the most traditional. By bringing sheep back to the vineyard, we’re tapping into centuries-old farming wisdom while producing wines that speak authentically of this place. We think that’s pretty cool—and exactly the kind of real, honest approach to winemaking that makes Oregon special.
