On December 10th, the iEcoLab team visited The Vineyard at Dodon in Davidsonville, Maryland, to engage with the Living Vineyards Project. Tom Croghan, Co-Owner and Winemaker at Dodon Vineyards, shared insights into this initiative, which aims to inspire winegrowers worldwide to participate in ecosystem restoration. By prioritizing ecological integrity, the project seeks to enhance biodiversity and soil health—a cornerstone of sustainable viticulture. Tom emphasized the critical role of soil composition and health in vineyard management. He also detailed proactive measures Dodon Vineyards employs to mitigate the threat of invasive pests, such as the Japanese Beetle and Spotted Lanternfly, protecting the grapevines while preserving the ecosystem. Afterward, Tom guided the iEcoLab team on an informative tour of the vineyard.
A huge thank you to Tom Croghan and Polly Pittman for welcoming the iEcoLab team to Dodon Vineyards and sharing their vision for sustainable winegrowing. A special thank you to Katie Luscher and Kurtis Flaherty for their hospitality and for explaining their roles in maintaining the vineyard. Additionally, thank you to Dr. Behm, Dr. Helmus, and all iEcoLab team members for making it a fun and productive field day!
Check out some highlights from the visit below!
Walking around Dodon Vineyards. Photo credits: Fatma Betul Seker
Observing the vine! Photo credits: Dr. Helmus
Horse chasing Dr. Behm! Photo credits: Fatma Betul Seker
Hannah S. poses with Dodon’s horse. Photo Credits: Fatma Betul Seker
Stefani showing a deceased Adult Female Spotted Lanternfly to Hannah S. Photo credits: Dr. Helmus
iEcoLab observes various trees, spotting the Ailanthus altissima. Photo credits: Hannah J.
iEcoLab observes various trees with Tom. Photo credits: Hannah J.
Hannah-squared at Dodon! Photo credit: Dr. Helmus
Couscous (or Quinoa) being photogenic. Photo credits: Dr. Helmus
Beautiful scenery at Dodon Vineyards