🐝 Sheep grazing in vineyards
In winter and spring, sheep graze the grass between rows and fertilise the soil.
Sheep in vineyards means sheep grazing between the rows of vines in winter and spring. They nibble the grass and weeds between the rows and fertilise the soil. The method is used in organic viticulture and where growers want less machinery.
How does it work? The vineyard becomes a temporary pasture. A shepherd brings the sheep to the plot while the vines sleep or are only waking up. The sheep eat the grass that grows between the rows. These are cover crops, plants that are sown or left between rows. So a flock does the job of a mower.
There are several benefits. Sheep fertilise the ground, do not compact it as much as a tractor, and help keep the grass short. That is why the method is seen as part of organic growing. In spring, when the vines start to grow, the sheep are taken out, because they could eat the young shoots.
It is a handy method for small farms. It is a reminder that a vineyard is part of nature, where vines live alongside grass and animals.
How it connects to Wine
🐝 Sheep grazing in vineyards → kind of → 🌿 Viticulture → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Next step
- 🐝 Cover crops, 🌿 Organic viticulture
- Part of
- 🌿 Viticulture
- Wine and milk
- 🐑 Sheep, 🧑🌾 Herder, 🔄 Grazing, 🌄 Pasture
Frequently asked questions
Why are sheep let into vineyards?
They eat the grass between the rows and fertilise the soil, replacing machinery.
When do sheep graze in vineyards?
In winter and early spring; when the vines start to grow they are taken out so they do not eat the young shoots.
Is this part of organic viticulture?
Yes, this method is often seen as part of organic viticulture.
Similar
🐝 Biodiversity in vineyards · 🐝 Horse ploughing in vineyards · 🐝 Birds in vineyards · 🐝 Bees · 🐝 Cover crops