Somerset Vineyards
Santa Rita Hills, California
Q: Tell us about your agricultural operation, your background and how you got started in agriculture.
I am the owner, farmer, and “vineyard vintner” as in classic times, when wine was made in the vineyard through the protocols and decisions made by the viticulturist. These decisions, from pruning to dropping the fruit before harvest, deeply affect the making of our premium wine. Going beyond organic, I chose to follow a regenerative model for my and my son’s vineyard. I graduated from the University of California, Davis and the Yale School of Drama in acting. My secret dream was always to own a vineyard, like the one I ran through as a child in the San Joaquin Valley where I was born. That dream came true with many blessings. On Somerset Vineyards, we go beyond organic farming to work toward creating a regenerative farming model including the use of ruminant animals for fertilizer and pest control to maximize the opportunity for sequestration of CO2 in the soil. We thus do our part to decrease greenhouse gases and global warming, even as we create an unmistakable and unforgettable ultra premium Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir, premium olive oil, citrus, herbs and roses. My family has always had a kitchen garden from which we ate – nothing excites me more than picking fresh vegetables, greens, herbs and cooking from our garden. Both my grandparents on both sides were farmers and ranchers. Working outside in the earth just makes me feel deeply at home in this world.
Somerset Vineyards is a woman-owned regenerative vineyard and farm. The soil is virgin farmed — no pesticides have ever been used on this estate. We are a no-kill vineyard; we work to balance the predator/prey relationships and accept a little less fruit to allow more soil bacterial action without pesticides and additives. Our vineyard is handpicked, hand-farmed, and low tillage. My mother used to say, “We were always organic. Who could afford the cost of pesticides ?!” Now, we can’t afford to be just organic, we strive to be regenerative as well to protect our soil. The costs of pesticides have been too high in too many areas, and now the very health and existence of our planet is at stake. Nurturing the earth is a mainstay of my farming. We may get less product but much more satisfaction serving the health of the soil, our water systems and the air we breathe on our lovely green and blue planet.
Q: What do you wish the next generation of women in agriculture would know about your work? What advice would you give them?
Farming – spending most the day outside nurturing this earth is an absolute joy, full of subtlety, complexity and splendor. You aren’t quite a human until you do. The quiet of our vineyard home is so deeply calming. Learning and living with all the birds, snakes, butterflies, bob cats, coyotes and other creatures that inhabit our farm, and with whom we share our lives is so rewarding. Take it on – it’s a lot of work, but such a good life, full of richness, adventure and challenges everyday. You really learn about life and yourself in the best way possible. It expands your soul.
Q: Have you had access to formal education or informal training programs to help you grow your operation?
I love learning, school, being educated, and becoming proficient if not an expert in my work. I have great mentors/friends and consultants, a regular monthly get together dinner with other farmers who farm with the same principals as I do. I take workshops and classes in areas relevant to my work on the farm and in the products I make from my farming. I participate in the Farm2Food program bringing my products to market with great support from an incredible expert team. I love that it includes people from many regions and challenges. It’s created a great camaraderie and cheering squad for us woman farmers.
Q: What would make it easier for women in agriculture to access the capital they need?
I believe the existing programs could be boosted up to help woman farmers move forward. The data is clear that woman make great farmers, and great communities, but may choose to do it less for money than for the rewarding life that it provides. However, financing and capital is necessary for our good work which truly benefits all the people in our communities. I’ve had to work harder and longer to get the funding to scale up my production. The State bureaucracy is too hard to take on with their grants without paying a grant writer; they take too much time and need competitive bidding which requires a lot of office support and financing. It’s tilted toward large farms and corporations with massive hirings and staff. Fortunately, my particular USDA office has been amazingly supportive, and worked with me to expand my farm. The NRCS has also been a great program for expanding best practices with grants and support.
Q: What technologies or innovations have made the biggest difference on your farm? How do you stay informed about best practices, weather, markets, or new technologies?
Well, Star Link was a good boost with connecting to the rest of the world. However the biggest difference and most rewarding for me has been the rise of solar and clean energy in farm equipment. I now have an electric tractor, but the company went out of business. Still I am looking to replace my ATV with an electric one. These technologies keep the quiet I love so much and are less polluting and damaging to our environment. I’d like to see better irrigation techniques and better materials than all the cheap plastics we have to re-buy and toss out. I think the innovations in the field like filtration systems for water that are affordable and not on a replace the filter monthly system could be greatly improved. However, I think some of the oldest techniques may hold up over the large technology that over works and ruins the soil. Or relies on water plastic tanks that would be better underground like the ancient Cisterns so the water stays cold and uncontaminated. The cost of using passive energy solutions is still quite steep and slow with our states over regulation – it is cheaper and better over all – but requires capital upfront. I’d like this area more subsidized and supported. Our Nations food security is dependent on clean energy advancements.
Q: Describe a specific challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
I have had quite a few. I got 8 rejections from Banks for a loan for my property. Eight. I had perfect credit. I was supposed to receive a direct USDA loan after two rejections. They asked me to keep trying … There does seem to be different rules for woman. It delayed me closing on my property and caused hard ship for me and my son. I see a lot of latitude given to people with great financial wealth – loans and grants to large corporations without much accountability or obligation for their pollution and waste. And no responsibility to our country that gave them these opportunities. Where as I am held to a tougher, more rigorous standard with less capital given.
