Sustainable Practices

Stewardship of the Land

We have made a commitment to sustainable agriculture practices that few wineries even attempt. From its inception, King Estate held stewardship of the land as a guiding principle — embracing our obligation to future generations.

Organic since 2002, King Estate became the largest certified Biodynamic vineyard in North America in 2016. Biodynamic farming is important not just to the Earth, but to the quality and authenticity of our wines as well. No toxic chemicals — no herbicides, synthetic fertilizers or pesticides — are used on our property, allowing for the purest expression of our site’s singular terroir.

Biodynamic agriculture is a holistic approach to farming, treating the entire estate as a living organism, using time-honored methods to cultivate soil health such as crop rotation, composting and homeopathic sprays. Our soils are fed and supplemented by more than 1,000 tons of compost produced on the estate.

The vineyard is certified Salmon-Safe, meaning our management practices protect water quality and restore habitat.

With our Bellpine and Jory soils, known for their excellent drainage and good moisture retention, we are able to dry farm (without irrigation), which results in smaller cluster weights and more concentrated flavors and aromas.

Raptor Release Site

Our estate is home to native wild raptors and, in partnership with nearby Cascades Raptor Center, serves as a release site for orphaned and rehabilitated birds of prey, or raptors. Raptors aid in natural pest control by reducing the numbers of rodents and birds that eat grapes.

In 2009 eight raptor boxes were installed around our property to offer homes for rehabilitated barn owls, screech owls and American kestrels. We continue to work with and support the Raptor Center’s work. Healthy environments attract raptors!

Habitat Preservation

A large riparian habitat on our estate property follows the creeks and channels that flow together to form the headwaters of the Siuslaw River. Approximately 40 acres of mostly native oak woodlands, among the most endangered ecological communities in the Pacific Northwest, provide habitat for about 200 species of native wildlife, including six — both plants and animals — that are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. For example, a strand of the endangered Kincaid’s lupine discovered on the property is the host plant of the Fender’s blue butterfly, thought to be extinct from 1937 until it was spotted in a remote area of Oregon in 1989.

Renewable Energy

We recognize the essential needs of sustaining an organic estate, beginning with a better energy resource and respecting the complexities of the land. We work with the environment, rather than against it, to produce power the natural way.

A solar array was completed in late 2011. With 4,144 solar panels on four acres, King Estate produces enough power to meet the needs of 100 homes a year — the equivalent of eliminating more than 38 million pounds of carbon dioxide over the next 25 years.