DrinkTheEarth.com Blog

As noted in this space on many occasions, numerous wineries are taking steps to embrace sustainability efforts in all aspects of the business.  While this is obviously not one in the same with pursuing organic certification for their wines, it certainly is indicative of a growing desire within the winemaking trade to be leaders in environmental stewardship. 

We recently reported on the efforts of Sonoma’s Gundlach Bundschu, who has made significant investments in solar energy and other initiatives in an effort to become carbon-neutral.  Along those same lines, in announcing its new releases this week, Sebastopol, California’s Merry Edwards Winery dedicated a two-page report not to the virtues of their latest Pinots’ (which are certainly worth the words!), but to the sustainability efforts underway at their facilities.  While Merry Edwards reports to have been using eco-friendly methods such as composting for years, this initiative has spread to other parts of the operation with the construction of a new winery facility.  Their vertical trellis system actually uses stakes derived from recycled car bodies, while the end posts previously served in another life as drill stems in oil wells (as a native Midwesterner, it’s nice to know there may be a little Rust Belt magic in the terroir!).    A solar system now powers a substantial part of all winery electricity needs, and hot water is produced on-demand by energy-efficient heaters.  Their offices are also free of chemical-laden paint, and instead are coated with green certified Tobias Stucco. 

Are there other benefits to wineries for pursuing sustainability efforts than simply knowing their actions are having a more positive impact on our planet?  Absolutely.  A little upfront investment can create efficiencies and cost savings that will pay handsomely over time.  It also doesn’t hurt to have a compelling story to tell when selling a product that is often more likely to be purchased based on romance and perception than more pragmatic considerations.  Whatever the driver, we applaud the efforts underway, and look forward to hearing similar stories from others in the future.