(Accuweather) - As efforts continue to conserve water in drought-plagued California, one grape farming method has an added benefit of creating more flavorful wine.

Dry farming is a method that takes advantage of the water naturally available in the soil. When strictly applied, it excludes all forms of irrigation during the productive period of a vineyard.

According to Tod Mostero, viticulturist at Dominus Estate in California’s Napa Valley, dry farming forces the vine’s roots to plunge deep to explore greater volumes of soil and areas that are naturally moist.

“Because grapevines are capable of flourishing in this environment without depleting natural resources or the soil’s nutrients, we believe that dry farming grapevines is the best way to preserve the integrity of the site,” Mostero said.