Valuing our heritage vines

At Husch, sustainability is not only about protecting the future—it is also about honoring the past. We believe a vineyard is more than rows of grapevines. It is a living record of risks taken, lessons learned, families supported, and generations of stewardship written into the land itself.

Modern farming often favors replacement over preservation. Vineyards are removed and replanted as soon as the economics begin to shift. The spreadsheets may justify the decision, but they cannot measure history, character, or the quiet wisdom that comes with age. At Husch, we have chosen a different path.

Walking our vineyards today, you will still find vines planted in 1968. In the Knoll Vineyard, those vines tell the story of one of the defining moments in Anderson Valley winegrowing history—the decision to plant Pinot Noir here in 1971, long before the region earned its reputation. More than fifty years later, those vines continue to thrive, producing fruit with remarkable depth and character. Wines like our 2023 Knoll Pinot Noir are a direct expression of that history.

At our Garzini Ranch, the connection to the past runs even deeper. Some vines trace their origins back to the Prohibition era. In fields where only a handful of ancient vines remained, we took cuttings from those surviving vines to plant grafts. Today, young vines grow alongside their historic predecessors, preserving both the genetic heritage and the story of the site itself. That legacy lives on in wines such as 2024 Old Vines Heritage .

Valuing heritage also means caring for more than vines alone. It means protecting the agricultural traditions, landscapes, and long-term relationships that make a family farm endure across generations. In an industry often driven by short timelines, we remain committed to building something lasting—healthy vineyards, meaningful stewardship, and wines that carry the story of Anderson Valley forward for decades to come.

Learn more about Husch’s other sustainable practices: Regenerative farming * Water For Fish * The Light Touch