Hawk Tales
Hawk flying over the vineyardsDon Johnson chose the name Winterhawk Winery as a way to recognize the importance of the many species of hawks that live in Suisun Valley: Red-Tailed Hawks, Swainson’s Hawks, Sparrow Hawks, and Northern Harriers are a few of the species typically seen on the Winterhawk property. Particularly in the winter time, when the only activity in the vineyards is the pruning of the vines, the hawks act as the sentinels of the vineyards. As predators of the gopher, the hawks assist the Barn Owls in the important, environmentally-friendly service that they provide to the vineyard management team at Winterhawk: they hunt the gophers. The gopher population is controlled without the use of bait or chemicals that could be harmful to the environment. The owls live in houses that have been placed in the vineyards Winterhawk’s vineyard management team.
Owl HouseMany species of hawks are born in Suisun Valley and stay here after they hatch and mature. There are thermals, which are naturally warm up-drafts in the air currents, in the valley that the hawks enjoy. These favorable air and temperature conditions, coupled with terrain that provides them with hills and tall trees for nesting, create a habitat in which the hawks can thrive and contribute to the ecosystem. The Swainson’s Hawk is one species of hawk that in decline because of habitat destruction. Winterhawk is happy to be able to contribute to a healthy ecosystem by being able to provide a habitat for the Swainson’s, as well as other birds.
Each variety of Winterhawk wine features a different hawk on its label. Just as each Winterhawk vintage is unique, so is each bird that positively impacts these vineyards.
