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Medlock Ames is a sustainable and organic grape grower inspired by biodynamic methodologies. We believe that a more natural approach to farming produces wines of superior quality.
Our attention to detail and commitment to ‘green’ practices continues in the cellar. We employ gravity-flow techniques to reduce energy consumption at the same time as preserving the often delicate characteristics of our grapes. We also often choose to use native or ‘wild’ yeasts to ferment our wines in an effort to promote the uniqueness of our site and the way we farm fine wine. A variety of forward thinking practices are exercised at Medlock Ames. They help illustrate our dedication to doing the best we can for the land, for the future and for fine wine.
 Solar and energy – an 84 kWh solar array works tirelessly to provide us with clean, renewable and economically attractive electrical power (free). A fine example of long term sustainable visioning that has a lifespan of 25 years but pays for itself in 9 years. The power it creates takes care of all our needs at the vineyard and winery – including electric vehicles. We also use biodiesel whenever possible to power our vineyard equipment and can even imagine creating our own fuel from crops grown at the ranch.
 Owls and hawks – gophers and other rodents used to be a problem until we enlisted barn owls to patrol the vineyards. These snowy white predators love the nesting boxes that have been installed throughout the property and quickly made their home at Bell Mountain. Hawks are also encouraged to prey on unsuspecting voles and gophers while bats complete the roster of predatory flyers.
 Sheep and geese – our flock of sheep eat unwanted vegetation in the vineyard, turning weeds into natural fertilizer. This smart solution allows us to combine several practices with ease. Geese are similarly employed to patrol the grounds, grazing on things like pond algae that would otherwise suffocate our beautiful waterways. These foragers help to reduce our use of tractors dramatically.
 Horse and plough – tractors guzzle fuel and compact the earth, creating long term problems in the vineyard. A more environmentally friendly way of working the ground can come in the form of, quite literally, horsepower. We are working hard to make cultivation using horses an integral part of our way of farming, while at the same time helping to revive a disappearing art.
 Wildlife and farm life – many vineyards use high fences to keep out wildlife such as wild pigs, deer, bobcats and mountain lions. Instead, we dedicate large parts of our estate to corridors that allow these animals to pass through the property without danger to us, them or the vines. By providing an animal thoroughfare to our local conservation area, we can limit the damage or danger to our vines and livestock that might otherwise come from trapped beasts.
 Energy Efficient Winery – our custom-built, modern and progressive winery uses the simplest of concepts to handle wine with care. Wine moves throughout its journey using gravity instead of pumps wherever possible. We believe that this helps preserve more subtle and elegant characteristics at the same time as reducing energy consumption. By locating our cellar underground we also manage to maintain a more consistent environment for our aging wines which reduces the need for artificially controlling the temperature. Our commitment to solar power also ensures that the energy we do need is generated in a safe and clean fashion.
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