“Grass is our friend. A winegrower should not fight grass.” This is what the late Soliko Tsaishvili, one of the founders of the Natural Wine Association, once said. Years ago, many found these views incomprehensible, and most winegrowers did not understand the importance of maintaining grass in the vineyard. Today, a large number of small winegrowers share this perspective and employ various methods to preserve grass in the vineyard - some sow beans, soybeans, and other grain crops, while others plant clover. There are also additional strategies for incorporating grass into organic viticulture.

Organic vineyard growers also sow grasses in their vineyards, which promotes biodiversity. However, beneficial grasses—such as clover—often appear and multiply naturally without being planted. Weed control is essential: the grass should not grow so tall that it shades the vines, while still allowing the vine grower to walk freely among them. Consequently, the grass should be mowed periodically, and the clippings should remain in the vineyard so that the soil is covered with dead organic matter that gradually transforms into humus.

The perspectives of vine growers regarding support plants in the vineyard are fascinating. We were particularly interested in those growers who, like Soliko Tsaishvili, choose not to fight weeds.

Mirian Nikoladze, Winery “Mirianuli”:

“Ploughing and ‘scrubbing’ the vineyard are excessive effects of industrialization. Of course, I support preserving the grass in the vineyard because leaving the grass in place accumulates humus in the soil, thereby strengthening the humus layer. I prefer white clover -I simply mow it and leave it. This practice minimizes the probability of vine diseases since the mulch layer prevents moisture from rising out of the soil. In fact, with mulching, both the quantity and quality of the crop increase rather than decrease. During mulching, the soil remains moister, and evaporation is reduced. Also, the reflection of light from the soil is important for grape ripening, as it has a significant impact on the available heat.

We must remember that any form of ploughing disturbs the vineyard’s microflora and increases the likelihood of weed proliferation, which sometimes necessitates a great deal of ploughing. However, when you switch to mulching, the weeds are reduced, and the remaining ones can even be turned to your advantage.”

Tea Sturua, “Patara Marani”:

“I planted both white clover and red fescue in the vineyard. Clover belongs to the legume family, and there are both red and white varieties - red clover grows tall, whereas white clover remains short. Legumes host root rot bacteria on their roots that naturally produce nitrogen, thereby regenerating the soil. Clover is so vigorous that it suppresses other weeds and naturally eliminates unwanted grass in the vineyard. It creates a carpet-like layer that tightly covers the soil, which in turn reduces the risk of powdery mildew and protects the soil from drying out during drought. Red fescue deters insects and helps restore the balance of phosphorus and potassium. Since both types are perennial, mechanical soil cultivation is unnecessary for at least 5–6 years. This approach reduces costs, fuel emissions, and even the use of lead-containing compounds, while most importantly ensuring that the soil remains fully functional during this period.

On regeneration and humus formation - which is a very complex and lengthy process - these natural methods provide significant long-term benefits.”

Guja Goderdzishvili, “Goderdzishvili Winery”:

"Using the natural benefits of grass, we employ an anti-drought method: we refrain from mowing the vineyard until the harvest. We know very well that during a drought, it is the grass that preserves the grapes and keeps the soil moist. Moreover, grass shields the top layer of soil from wind erosion during strong gusts - a protection that is extremely important. As autumn approaches and in the days leading up to the harvest, we mow the vineyard to ensure that the pickers can work comfortably."

Kakha Berishvili, “Artanuli Wine”:

“Of course, a fierce battle against weeds in a vineyard is unacceptable. In a vineyard, weeds indicate good soil structure, provide dew during drought, and offer protection from fungal diseases. In addition, weeds act as a natural fertilizer - often outperforming any other fertilizer. Given all this, it is hardly surprising that I prefer a variety of weeds in a vineyard.”

Iago Bitarishvili, “Iago’s Wine”:

"In general, ecological viticulture places great emphasis on maintaining a balanced ecosystem - especially in areas dominated by monoculture. As a result, such monocultures are more prone to harmful diseases. Therefore, the more sustainable and diverse the ecosystem we cultivate in our vineyards, the better the overall outcome. Grass plays a crucial role in the vineyard. One method of turning into meadow involves sowing special grasses to enhance biodiversity. Alternatively, periodic mowing - or simply leaving the grass in place - provides an additional source of organic fertilizer that improves the soil's condition. We should also remember that the more exposed the soil is, the greater the rate of water evaporation.

Another approach of turning into meadow, in which we refrain from sowing a new cover crop and instead rely on local plant species that are better adapted to the environment. These native plants, when mown over several years, continue to contribute organic matter to the soil.

"The entire vineyard can be turned into meadow at once, or it can be done in stages. This method is used in Western countries not only in ecological viticulture but also in agriculture in general."

Winegrowers agree that the emergence of a grass cover in the vineyard will significantly enhance the vineyard ecosystem. The variety of grasses will break the monoculture that typically dominates the vineyard. In turn, this diversification will activate and sustain soil microorganisms, leading to an increase in various insect populations. Most importantly, along with harmful insects, predatory insects, toads, and other creatures that feed on these pests will also flourish, thereby reducing the risk of significant insect damage.

Some winegrowers believe that turning into meadow may cause the roots of the vines -accustomed to cultivating the soil - to weaken, inhibiting their growth and reducing the grape harvest. Therefore, the recommended practice is to plough the vineyard not on an annual basis but once every four to five years. As for which type of plow to use, at what depth, and how to revive a declining vine, these topics warrant a separate discussion that we will address another time.

Levan Sebiskveradze