Growing a Mini Forest
On a stretch of land known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Chamisal Vineyards planted something unexpected.
“With agriculture, we’re not without our pests,” explains Winemaker Brianne Engles. In California’s Edna Valley, vine mealybugs—tiny insects that feed on grapevines and spread plant viruses—are a persistent vineyard challenge. Rather than relying solely on reactive chemical controls, the team looked to strengthen the vineyard’s natural defenses by increasing native plant diversity to attract beneficial insects that help keep pests in check.
For Brianne, the idea began with resilience. “The more species you have on site, the more resiliency you create,” she says.
To build that diversity quickly and intentionally, the team chose the Miyawaki method, where trees and shrubs are planted closely together in layered groupings so they compete for light and nutrients. This accelerates growth and establishes a functioning ecosystem far faster than conventional planting.
In 2021, the Chamisal team came together to put that vision into the ground. Employees volunteered their time, brought their families, and spent the day planting nearly 400 native trees and shrubs along a 180-meter stretch of the property. Together, they turned the planting into an investment in the land’s future.
Just a few years later, some of those trees stood more than 20 feet tall. After early seasons of hand-watering and weeding, the forest is now largely self-sustaining.
“The biggest thing I’ve noticed is the number of butterflies, hummingbirds, ladybugs, and bees,” Brianne says. “It’s a sign that it’s working.”
The forest marked the beginning of a broader habitat vision. Chamisal has since planted its first hedgerow—about 170 native plants—with plans to weave additional corridors throughout the property to further support beneficial insects and natural pest balance.
At Chamisal Vineyards, fostering wildlife habitat is not separate from farming. It is part of how they create an ecosystem where vines, wildlife, and community can thrive together.