Tablas Creek Vineyard – Paso Robles, CA

The team at Tablas Creek Vineyard manages a flock of Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World (AGW), Certified Grassfed by AGW and Certified Non-GMO by AGW sheep across the 270-acre property, including 140 acres of vineyard in the Adelaida District of west of Paso Robles, California.

Named for a small creek running across the property, Las Tablas, the vineyard consists of shallow, rocky calcareous soils. The climate lends itself to growing grapes for winemaking, and the sheep, introduced in 2012, are a key part of the farming practices.

The sheep graze at high-density for short durations, averaging about 100 head per acre per day with a longer recovery time, maybe only grazing some areas once per year. “This helps to reduce the potential for internal parasites, but also allows more regrowth of the ground cover,” says Tablas Creek Vineyard Regenerative Specialist Erin Mason. “Through properly timed grazing and recover, plant roots can remain healthy and intact. This not only helps the longevity of our grazing ground, but also promotes a healthy carbon cycle.” For Tablas Creek Vineyard, this type of management has had positive outcomes not only for animal welfare, but also for the soil. “The sheep not only fertilize the soil and vines, they help to improve the biodiversity of microbes within the soil, which keeps the nutrient cycle healthy and build soil organic matter,” says Erin. “Combined with a reduced or no-till management of our soils, there is both a benefit to the vineyard and long-term health of the land.”

In addition to being Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, the flock of sheep at Tablas Creek Vineyard is Certified Grassfed by AGW, the first—and only—food label in the U.S. and Canada that guarantees food products come from animals fed a 100% grass and forage diet, and raised entirely outdoors on pasture or range. The sheep are also Certified Non-GMO by AGW, the only certification and logo in the U.S. and Canada that guarantees a food product is produced without the use of genetically modified feed, supplements or ingredients, and comes from animals managed according to the Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW leading welfare and environmental standards on an independent farm.

AGW-certified lamb from Tablas Creek Vineyard can be purchased directly from the farm and found at area restaurants. Check AGW’s online directory for more details. For more information, visit tablascreek.com along with the vineyard’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts or contact 805-237-1231 and info@tablascreek.com.