Hope Family Wines adds beekeeping to regenerative farming efforts 

Beekeeping project aims to strengthen pollinator populations across vineyard

– Hope Family Wines has introduced beekeeping to its Paso Robles estate vineyard as part of its move toward regenerative organic farming practices.

Five hives were recently installed at the 67-acre estate vineyard in the Templeton Gap District, where honeybees are feeding on the spring bloom, producing honey and enhancing the local ecosystem. The vineyard has been certified under the Sustainability in Practice program since 2011. Owner and winemaker Austin Hope and director of vineyards Stasi Seay are leading the vineyard’s conversion to regenerative organic farming, which emphasizes soil health and biodiversity.

“We are taking this next step because it’s the right thing to do for our land, our wines and our community,” Hope said. “It’s the natural progression of the sustainable mindset that guides everything we do in the field.”

As part of the new efforts, Hope Family Wines is cultivating bee-friendly habitats around the vineyard to support strong pollinator populations. The bees are also producing organic honey that will be available at the winery’s two tasting rooms in Paso Robles.

Last year, Hope Family Wines received a grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Pollinator Habitat Program, which supports the creation of habitats that provide floral resources and host plants for pollinators and other beneficial species.

The grant is funding the planting of nearly 1,000 native California flowering plants along the vineyard’s southern perimeter and the creek bed that runs through the estate. These drought-tolerant plants include red bud, native sage, buckwheat, manzanita, lupin, elderberry, toyon and yarrow, selected to flower at different times of the year to create a consistent food source for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, birds and other wildlife.

Honeybee hives have historically existed in the native oaks across the vineyard. The new hives have increased the bee population significantly. Seay said the bees are expected to help set a healthy crop this spring.

“Bees can improve set up to 70 percent during bloom,” Seay said. “Bees are known to remove the calyptra, or cap, from the grape flowers in search of pollen. In difficult weather, the caps can get stuck, resulting in decreased flower pollination. The bees help combat this issue by manually removing the caps and facilitating self-pollination.”

The vineyard’s transition to regenerative organic farming also includes planting abundant mixed cover crops, implementing no-till farming methods, using only organic inputs and managing a flock of Baby Doll sheep along with two guardian alpacas named Freda and Mona. The animals help mow and weed naturally while improving soil diversity.

These changes align with the Regenerative Vineyard Foundation’s “One Block Challenge,” which encourages growers to convert at least one vineyard block to regenerative farming to inspire and advance sustainable agriculture in Paso Robles.

During Earth Day month in April, the Austin Hope and Treana Tasting Cellar is providing guests with plantable pollinator seed cards to encourage the planting of vital pollinators and support bee populations.

“With the bees and other organic practices, we see benefits that go beyond the fence line and touch the surrounding environment and community,” Seay said. “It’s about creating a vibrant and resilient ecosystem in this place we’re proud to call home.”