Drought Intensifies Korbel Garden's Sustainability Efforts

GUERNEVILLE, Calif., April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Korbel Champagne Cellars' lush garden is one of Sonoma County's top visitor destinations for good reason – towering redwoods and the historic circa 1882 Korbel House provide a spectacular setting for the garden's colorful plantings, including 250 different rose varieties. As beautiful as ever, the Korbel Garden will look subtly different when it opens for the 2014 season on Tuesday, April 15^th and it is all due to the current California drought and Korbel Champagne Cellars' ongoing sustainability efforts.

For years the Korbel Garden has utilized a range of sustainable cultivation techniques – including compost made from vineyard waste, low-flow drip irrigation (run only at night) and integrated pest management with beneficial bugs and nematodes – not unlike those used in Korbel Champagne Cellars' estate vineyards. The California drought has caused Korbel to intensify its sustainability efforts to further conserve water. In the Korbel Garden, the changes include replacing some annuals with perennials, adding more compost to some beds, increasing plantings of drought-resistant California natives and limiting "color" plantings – all techniques applicable to home gardens.  

A visit to the Korbel Garden is an awe-inspiring experience. Winding footpaths lead to vibrant plantings of agapanthus, pincushion plants, irises, dahlias and roses – old worlds, hybrid teas and damasks – all framed by box hedges, clematis, plume poppies and a 30-foot tall climbing hydrangea. Many travelers make the Korbel Garden the centerpiece of a visit to Korbel Champagne Cellars. In addition to taking in the garden, they sample Korbel California champagnes in the tasting room, tour the historic champagne cellars and enjoy lunch at the gourmet delicatessen.

From opening day until mid-October, free guided tours of the Korbel Garden are offered Tuesday through Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. On major holidays that fall on a Monday, the garden will be open for tours that day, but closed the following Tuesday. Additional information regarding the Korbel Garden and Korbel Champagne Cellars is available by telephone at 707/824-7000 and via the internet at www.korbel.com.

Established in 1882, Korbel Champagne Cellars produces America's most popular methode champenoise champagne. Korbel is located on River Road near Guerneville, California, 14 miles west of Highway 101. Information on Korbel Champagne Cellars' award-winning sustainability initiatives can be found at www.korbel.com/Presskit.aspx under "Korbel Sustainability."    

Live responsibly.

SOURCE Korbel Champagne Cellars