Field Notes: Life Among the Vines
While the vines remain at the heart of Evening Land, they are far from the only thing growing here.
This spring, new wildflower corridors took root in Block 6. Fruit trees settled further into the landscape. Bees moved through the rows. And a small flock of Shetland sheep became part of the rhythm of things here.
For Evening Land's in-house viticulturist, Netanya Welch, these projects are all connected. Each one creates space for greater biodiversity and a healthier vineyard ecosystem – not by adding more vines, but by making room for everything else.
“There is no reason to plant every inch of available ground to one crop,” Netanya says. “Breaking up the monoculture and creating space for the wild is a brilliant choice.”
That philosophy can be seen throughout the estate. Among the vineyard rows, Asian pears, currants, botanicals, and other plantings are establishing their own miniature ecosystems. Netanya's vision is to eventually have something fruiting somewhere on the property in every season of the year. Each planting contributes its own character to the landscape, creating habitat for insects, birds, and pollinators while adding another layer of life beyond the vines.
There is a practical purpose behind these plantings, creating habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects while increasing biodiversity throughout the property. But they also change the experience of the vineyard itself. In spring, the rows hum with bees and other pollinators moving from blossom to blossom. What was once a more uniform agricultural landscape begins to feel increasingly vibrant and alive.
That same thinking inspired recent work in Block 6, where we have dedicated space to wildflowers and native species. Rather than planting every available row to grapevines, the goal is to create biological corridors that support a wider range of plant and animal life throughout the vineyard.
The sheep play an important role as well. This spring, the estate’s small flock of Shetlands grazed among open areas of the property, naturally managing vegetation while returning nutrients directly to the soil. Their presence helps reduce the need for fuel-intensive mowing and mechanical intervention, while contributing to a healthier and more active soil ecosystem.
For Netanya, these efforts ultimately connect back to the long-term health of the vineyard. Healthy soils support balanced vines. Balanced vines produce better fruit. Rather than relying solely on commercial inputs, the goal is to build resilience naturally through biodiversity, compost, livestock integration, and thoughtful stewardship of the land.
These are projects measured in years rather than months. Some are still in their earliest stages. Others will continue evolving season after season. But already they are reshaping how Evening Land looks, sounds, feels, and functions.
The work happening today is not simply about this year's crop. It is about creating a vineyard ecosystem that will remain vibrant, resilient, and alive for decades to come.
We look forward to sharing more field notes from the seasons ahead.
