Sustainable Sips During Earth Day and Beyond

Northern California

All Year In Napa Valley visit Beringer to experiences wine tasting opportunities Monday through Sunday. Reservations are recommended, and walk-ins are welcome based on availability. Sustainability includes the largest solar installation of any winery in California. Beringer is certified under the Napa Green Winery and Napa Green Certified Land Programs as well as the California Sustainable Winegrowing program. To protect waterways, all of the owned and leased vineyards are certified by Fish Friendly Farming. Be sure to taste Beringer Vineyards 2020 Private Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay layers of rich, creamy, and complex bouquet and nuances. This classic California Chardonnay offers expressive aromas of citrus blossom, jasmine, and lemon curd, supported by tropical ripe flavors of white nectarine, peach, and grilled pineapple. The well-integrated oak shows notes of brioche, vanilla, and ginger spice, leading to a long, mouth-watering finish with freshness and minerality. Purchase one for to gift yourself or your mother on Mother’s Day. SRP $50.

 

“Reducing, reusing and recycling is the business practices implemented at J Vineyards & Winery. They recycle all paper, corks and glass. They reduce water used throughout the wine growing and wine making process. Installing computerization of refrigeration compressors helps reduce energy consumption, and replacing inefficient incandescent lights with lower energy lighting. One of their top sellers is J Cuvée 20 Brut. It opens with subtle aromas of toasted almond, followed by notes of ripe apple, dried cranberry and ginger snap. Delicate bubbles provide a soft flavors of creaminess with a hint of lemon on the lively finish. J Vineyards & Winery, specializes in Russian River Valley sparkling and varietal wines, and has achieved certified sustainable status through the California Sustainable Winegrowers Alliance (CSWA). The sustainable certification covers all vineyard and winery operations. Located south of Healdsburg, the estate vineyards have the latest techniques in water conservation, corridors for wildlife habitat to provide integrated pest management, and reduction in soil. According to winemaker Nicole Hitchcock at J Vineyards & Winery, “Wine is like a universal language. It can transcend physical and cultural boundaries, and ultimately brings people together,” Nicole explains in an interview. “From early on, I was enamored by all parts of the industry and process — the journey from vine to glass, the varying tastes and the cultural aspects.”

 

Sierra Foothills

 

Central Coast

 

 Riboli Family Wines of San Antonio Winery has five vineyards in Paso Robles and four vineyards in Monterey that are sustainably certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA). With over a century of winemaking experience, this winery is constantly looking for ways to improve their winemaking to ensure the highest wine quality and long-term sustainability. Its vineyards and winemaking facilities were built with sustainability a priority at the outset. “The newer Paso Robles location has 1,520 solar panels that cover 80% of the roof and provide 100% of the electricity for the facility. Their wastewater treatment plant reuses wastewater for landscaping. They have a night cooling system in which the refrigerated barrel room turns off the electricity when the outside air drops below its set temperature. They also installed double tinted windows and shades to help prevent heat absorption and keep it cooler so the air conditioning doesn’t run all the time,” said Riboli Family Wines Sommelier Dominic Menton.

Southern California

 

Beyond California are two other wineries that are making a difference in eco-friendly wine making practices.

 

Duck Pond Cellars Great Oregon Wine Co., has Certified Path on their bottles label. This winery is the first in the U.S. to earn the Natural Path Production Certification, a Clean Label Project program. Duck Pond is also one of a very few U.S. wineries that is already labeling its bottles with ingredients information. Winemaker Julia Cattrall is committed to craft the purest, most natural wines showcasing their exquisite flavors of the Oregon terrier. Grapes are harvested while growing in nutrient-rich volcanic and sedimentary soil.

 

 

Steenberg Farm Estate Vineyards are all dry farmed, and the winery is Certified Sustainable. Steenberg is the oldest registered farm in South Africa, established in 1682. It is one of only six wineries on the Sauvignon Blanc Route, a wine route dedicated to Constantia’s chosen noble grape. The farm was established by Catharina Ras, and winemaker Elunda Basson continues the legacy of strong female leaders at Steenberg over the last three centuries. Their Sauvignon Blanc comprises 70% of Steenberg’s planted acreage. The sparkling Sauvignon Blanc is made with a secondary fermentation in-bottle (like Champagne) and is disgorged after three months. It’s fun, fruity and offers complex aromas of passionfruit, lime, pineapple and guava. It’s dry with a vibrant of Sauvignon Blanc.  Pair this with brunch favorites, as well as goat cheese, smoked salmon, grilled asparagus, and sushi. This wine retails around $20.

 

Cheers to these winemakers who are making a different in climate change during Earth Day and every day after.