The first 100% electric, driver-optional tractor has arrived in Oregon wine country. Nicolas-Jay Estate, led by Bourgogne winemaker Jean-Nicolas Méo and music entrepreneur Jay Boberg, is the first vineyard in the state to purchase and use a Monarch Tractor.
Benefits of farming with the electric tractor
Headquartered in Livermore, California and built in Lordstown, Ohio, Monarch Tractor was conceived by Carlo Mondavi, a fourth-generation winegrower, who says he committed himself to to sustainablagricultural methods including permaculture, biodynamic farming and regenerative techniques.
Motivated to create healthier farming environments, Mondavi launched the Monarch Challenge in 2016 to reshape farming practices across Sonoma, Napa and beyond by eliminating the use of herbicides and chemicals. This led to the creation of Monarch Tractor—an on-the-grond product of Mondavi’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Boberg said the purchase of a Monarch Tractor aligns with the winery’s mission to be environmentally responsible, and that he’s also been impressed with its features. He offers that the vehicle is easy to use and that “literally anyone can drive this tractor and perform basic tasks.” The lighting system truly illuminates the entire area in front of the tractor, behind the tractor and all around the tractor, which is Boberg says is “super valuable” for night picks.
The Nicolas-Jay team also benefits from the vehicle’s electric power and WiFi hub which allow the tractor to be a centerpiece of other functions, running power to tools in distant spots in the vineyard.
“This tractor is on the cutting edge of new technology and is important not just for its practical use, but also as a beacon of change in agriculture,” says Boberg. “The industry as a whole can make a measurable difference in curbing climate change.”
Ecological considerations of electric farming
Boberg and Méo say they have seen firsthand the impacts of climate change both in Oregon and Bourgogne, which made them early adopters of the new technology. Mondavi says this duo has been an “incredible advocate and advisor” for the Monarch Tractor team and product.
“Once climate change impacts you the way it has with most of us in the wine business,” says Mondavi. “You strive to do better and find a way to lower your impact while also protecting your farm.”
Replacing diesel tractors with electric ones can lead to a significant reduction in operational emissions. This aligns with an important objective in Oregon, where the state legislature recently passed a bill requiring energy suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity they provide.
Monarch Tractor’s priorities
Mondavi says that in 2024, the Monarch Tractor mission is about driving quality, impact and profit for all of it’s farming partners. He acknowledges that Oregon’s wine community is built on world-class producers who care deeply about the health of the environment. “This is why we have made Oregon a focus as we begin to scale our business,” he says.
According to Willamette Valley Wineries Association, around half of Oregon’s vineyards, totaling more than 13,000 acres, had achieved certification for sustainable agriculture from reputable third-party organizations. This momentum includes many more vineyards in the process of obtaining certification—a testament to a commitment that spans two to three years of meticulous preparation.
Monarch Tractor is concentrated on two primary farmer priorities. The first is that the vehicle is 100% electric, allowing producers to harvest renewable energy for farming or other energy needs. This enables farmers to move from fossil fuels toward energy independence. “With half of our planet’s inhabitable land being dedicated to agriculture, this is a game changer,” says Mondavi. According to the founder, Monarch Tractors were able to remove over 3,000 cars’ worth of emissions and touch over 25,000 acres of farmland in 2023.
The second draw is Monarch’s AI stack and autonomous capabilities, which are designed to reduce the billions of pounds of chemicals sprayed into the U.S. food ecosystem each year. Mondavi likens the Monarch Tractor to a “big mowing Roomba that cuts the grass.”
Mondavi says that farmers benefit from the reduction of herbicides, saving big money while also helping improve their soil microbiome, water health and overall farm biology. A study from Montana State University found that mowing to manage invasive weeds and promote favored plant growth is highly effective.
Mowing unwanted plants limits their capacity to compete with vines and other crops by disrupting their essential functions like CO2 absorption and photosynthesis. By judiciously planning mowing—its timing, frequency, and height—targeted plants are weakened, allowing desired vegetation to prosper. This approach results in a balanced, productive environment, aligning with Nicolas-Jay’s commitment to sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.
Becoming familiar with electric tractors in Oregon
A Monarch Tractor made an appearance at the International Pinot Noir Celebration, held in July 2023 in McMinnville, Oregon. For many in the Pacific Northwest wine world, this was their first brush with the brand. While the excitement around electric tractors presents environmental benefits and cutting-edge features, the adoption of these new vehicles can mean higher upfront costs and limited battery capacity. Additionally, farmers in very rural locations may lack necessary access to the electrical grid.
Though new to many, there are already hundreds of these vehicles in use around the world, and the brand’s goal is to have tens of thousands of Monarch Tractors running the fields by 2026. “If you ask our team what is motivating us all, it’s not the revenue this brings but rather the impact these numbers bring,” says Mondavi. “This is why we are all so focused on quality first while pushing speed and scale.”