Meadowlark Vineyard, Klickitat Canyon Winery
Dr. Robin Dobson earned his PhD in Plant pathology. After several years of research in Nigeria and at OSU experiment station, he began his career with the U.S. Forest Service. Working as an ecologist he helped draft the Management Plan for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. He purchased a small farm establishing a family organic vineyard and winery near Lyle, WA. He recently retired and his son, Kiva, has taken over responsibilities with the farm and winery.
Meadowlark Vineyard approaches its organic production not with a new idea, but a forgotten one: planting native flora between the rows of a vineyard to enhance native bio-diversity including insect diversity which then function as biocontrol agents. We will discuss how this approach requires provisions for all life cycle requirements, and how it enhances soil properties and other ecological functions, such as pollinators,to create a long-lasting system of balance.
