Tom Gamble, a third-generation farmer and first-generation grape grower at Gamble Estates, is celebrated as a Hydro20 honoree for his pioneering efforts in water conservation within Napa Valley’s wine industry.
At Gamble Estates, where all grapes are grown and bottled in-house, a healthy watershed is imperative for producing high-quality wine. Recognizing the inefficiencies of traditional winemaking, such as flood irrigation and high water demands, Gamble transformed his vineyard’s practices to protect groundwater reserves and the Napa Valley ecosystem.
Gamble Estates employs AI-driven technology and regenerative farming to optimize water use, including soil sensors, autonomous tractors, and remote monitoring systems to track soil moisture and vine health in real time. Practices like dry farming, permanent cover crops, and minimal irrigation reduce evapotranspiration, while the winery achieves 100% water recycling through a biodigester, processing wastewater to irrigation-quality standards.
Beyond his vineyard, Gamble led a sales tax initiative to fund soft engineering of the Napa River, sacrificing vineyard land to restore the ecosystem. This effort brought back beavers, otters, and two consecutive years of strong salmon runs, proving the practical value of prioritizing sustainability. His innovations have set a new standard for sustainable winemaking and watershed health.
Tom Gamble’s leadership in innovative technology and environmental stewardship has earned him a well-deserved place among the Hydro20 honorees.
Hydro20 is an initiative of the waterloop nonprofit news outlet, in partnership with Sciens Water, and supported by the Antea Group, Environmental Defense Fund, and Human Capital Solutions.
Sciens Water: https://scienswater.com/
Antea Group: https://us.anteagroup.com/Home
Environmental Defense Fund: https://www.edf.org/
Human Capital Solutions: https://humancs.com/
Visit https://www.hydro20.org/
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