CARE OF THE LAND
Benton-Lane has designed its own system for caring for its land which incorporates the best parts of the Sustainable, Organic and Biodynamic methods. This program was designed after seven years of certification under the L.I.V.E. sustainability program. During this time we began to realize that no one program was ideal in preserving and protecting our land. So we took the best parts of each program, added some measures of our own and gave birth to our own system of ensuring the health of our vineyards. 
Biodynamic
We have always viewed soil as a living entity in need of replenishment. This is one of the main tenets of the Biodynamic method. We also embrace the importance of building a rich, fertile humus. We do this through discing our green growing cover into the soil and by composting. However, we just can’t bring ourselves to practice some the mystical requirements of the method such as fermenting yarrow in a deer’s bladder or ageing oak bark in a skull.
Organic
We embrace the concept of keeping the vineyard as natural as possible. We use mineral oil as a mildecide. We control road dust so we don’t have a mite problem. We have hawk perches to reduce rodent populations. However, the organic method was developed at a time when available pesticides were harsh. Since then manufacturers have developed synthetics that are much more earth friendly on the land than some organic counterparts. We believe it is better for our land to use soft fungicides like Elevate, with a soil half life of only one day instead of the organic recommendation of toxic heavy metals.
Sustainable
 We allow for large areas of native habitat for eco compensation areas as prescribed by L.I.V.E. We also control erosion by growing cover crops and rocking drainage ways. We believe in the requirements of Integrated Pest Management to ensure that any crop applications reach the target area only and in the correct amount and at the right time. However, Sustainable certification prohibits grazing as a means of mowing and yet we think using sheep to mow our grasses fertilizes the land, reduces soil compaction and saves fuel.
We use compost to rejuvenate our soils. Our compost is a proprietary blend of grape skins, seeds and stems, peppermint, rock dust, manure and estate soil. We cook the compost until these components have fumated into a dark powdery humus. We then incorporate it into the soil to replace the nutrients that the crop may have depleted.
We practice extensive canopy management. We shoot thin to open up the canopy; we remove crop and leaves to open the fruit zone to light and air. This reduces the need for pesticides and produces more flavorful fruit.
We use a cover crop of Austrian winter peas, oats, fava beans, annual rye and crimson clover to reduce erosion, build biomass and a rich, fertile soil humus. 
Surrounding our 140 acre vineyard are 175 acres of native vegetation that serves as a habitat for wildlife, insects and native plants.
We have an employee vegetable garden that produces food for our families grown under our eco-management system. We grow blueberries on the property.
We cook in a wood burning oven to save electricity.
We recycle.
We have planted numerous trees to mark property lines instead of erecting fencing.
We provide our workers with safe working conditions, all safety equipment, training, restroom facilities, hand washing and bottled water stations and a heated break room.
Carol and I know that we will pass on some day but that the land will always be here. We want to make sure that when our daughter takes over, it is as healthy and vibrant as possible.
Steve and Carol Girard, Owners
Benton-Lane Vineyard Crew
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