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Ned Hill’s fish-friendly approach to winegrowing

Ned Hill, the son of well-known Sonoma Valley farmer Steve Hill, started working in the vineyards alongside his dad when he was nine. He was driving tractors by age 12 and as a teenager continued working with his dad at the famous Durell Ranch. Ned earned the “Outstanding Young Farmer” award from the Sonoma County Harvest Fair in 2005.

Now, the 500 acres tended by his La Prenda Vineyards Management is 100% fish friendly, a sustainability program certified by the California Land Stewardship Institute (CLSI). Fish Friendly Farming certified is one of the approved programs for Sonoma County Winegrowers Sustainable Certification.

“I’ve been working in vineyards my whole life,” Hill said. “I see the interaction between farming and the environment. If we don’t act responsibly now with our vineyard practices, there will be hell to pay in the future.”

In 2008 at age 32, already with decades of experience and an unrelenting work ethic, Ned and his wife Erika began the La Prenda Vineyards Management Company, seeking to provide full-service vineyard management and consulting to high-end winegrowers. La Prenda now farms more than 30 estate properties in four Sonoma Valley appellations, including prestigious names like Parmelee-Hill, Schug, Nicholson Ranch, Hanna, Roche, Bennett Valley Cellars, Patz & Hall, Desnudos, Pickberry, Alta Ridge and Wildcat Mountain.

“Our company has a saying,” explains Hill, “Getting the job done is merely a fraction of the equation. Getting the job done right is the La Prenda equation. A huge part of that equation must be recognizing the issues plaguing our environment and correcting them. The Fish Friendly Farming Program is a great start.”

CLSI is a non-profit organization dedicated to planning and implementing environmental stewardship, restoration and enhancement programs and projects. It includes scientific studies, promotion of beneficial stewardship practices and resources conservation activities on public and private lands and waterways.

Salmon and trout are considered indicator species due to their sensitivity to human-induced impacts to their environment. The decline of salmon and/or trout in a creek or river can give an early warning of decline in the overall health of the environment. By focusing on improving conditions for salmon and trout, the Fish Friendly Farming program takes a comprehensive approach to environmentally friendly land management.

In addition to vineyards management, Hill runs Sonoma Collection, a family-owned business featuring sustainably farmed wines honoring Sonoma Valley grape farmers. Hill’s Sonoma Collection captured a top ten spot in Wine Business Monthly’s annual Hot Brands listing. Other labels include Fifth Hill, La Prenda, Happy Wife, and 95476.

Photo by Jimmy Grossi

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