Ducks on Duty: Vineyard Allies at Dune Bird Winery
There’s a new kind of energy in the vineyard at Dune Bird Winery—and it comes with feathers, feet, and a mission. Our 45 Indian Runner Ducks are now a vital part of our sustainable farming program, combining charm with purpose in a way only ducks can.
Every weekday around noon, this colorful crew—featuring black, chocolate, fawn and white, silver, and gray plumage—marches from their duck barn into our 4 acres of Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Merlot vines. They spend their afternoons diligently foraging for vineyard pests like slugs, beetles, ants, and earwigs. By 6 PM, they waddle back home, their bellies full and their job well done.
These ducks do more than snack—they protect our vines without a drop of pesticide. Their natural pest control reduces chemical use, fosters biodiversity, and helps us cultivate healthier grapes. As they roam, their droppings enrich the soil with nitrogen and organic matter, giving our vines a direct boost.
And their work doesn’t stop there. Inside the duck barn, used water and bedding are collected and transformed into nutrient-dense compost for our kitchen garden. It’s one more way the ducks contribute to a full-circle farming system that nourishes both vineyard and table.
Our runner duck journey began with three ducklings hatched onsite on April 23rd. We added 10 more shortly after and then expanded the crew by over 30 in early May. Egg-laying hasn’t started yet, but we plan to incubate our own eggs and sell fresh duck eggs in the near future. We’re also preparing to welcome geese to the team, enhancing our integrated approach to vineyard stewardship and predator protection for the flock.
This innovative program played a key role in Dune Bird earning its SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certification this year. It’s a milestone that reflects our commitment to ecological balance, and our ducks are at the heart of that story.
We’re excited to share this initiative with the broader community through two exclusive duck program tours featured in the Traverse City Wine & Food Festival. Visitors will have the chance to meet the ducks, walk the vineyard path with them, and learn how these waterfowl are helping reshape what sustainable winegrowing looks like.
Come see the vineyard from a duck’s-eye view. Whether you’re here for the wine, the birds, or the broader vision of land stewardship, Dune Bird’s runner ducks offer something special—and undeniably unforgettable.
