2.29.2008 9:49 AM

Vineyards Using Organic Farming Methods

Long Island Wineries Look to Sustainable Agriculture

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Long Island Wines go green. Long Island wines go organic.

Photo: Istock

By Annie Bell Muzaurieta

Long Island wineries are making strides with their organic farming methods, according to an article in Newsday, and proof of success is in the product, according to one grower. Joe Macari Jr., co-owner and manager of Macari Vineyards of Mattituck, told the paper, "I believe you have to put back into the soil. The proof is in the bottle of wine. It shows in my wine."

As part of the vineyard's biodynamic farming methods, Macari has a herd of 25 longhorn cattle who provide manure and a horn additive. He said that he has been able to avoid applying chemical nitrogen and herbicide for the past 10 years.

Workers at Pindar Vineyards have been taking advantage of the fruits of their labor, by adding dried grape skins and grass clippings to a compost pile; the product will be spread over the vines as a natural fertilizer.

The paper says that even large commercial operations have had to consider the benefits of sustainable agriculture due to concerns about chemical runoff spoiling groundwater and rising costs of industrial mixture.

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