Northern California’s Sustainable Wineries

This weekend I’m heading up to wine country for a wine-tasting extravaganza, so in preparation I thought I’d research and compile a list of wineries that are running environmentally-friendly vineyards. (Plus, with the weekend of love almost upon us I thought it would be good to know which bottles to grab for your sexy date!) Luckily, wine makers are a group that has really taken sustainability to heart, mostly likely because their livelihood depends on the earth’s bounties. So the good news is that no matter where you are headed, you can find a winery that takes the job of making good wine in an earth-friendly way seriously, rather than just focusing on making a quick buck!

A few eco-friendly wineries to check out:

• Parducci Wine Cellars: Mendocino, California: In 2008, Parducci became the first carbon-neutral winery when they converted to using 100 percent solar and wind power. Also holding the title of being the oldest family-owned winery in Northern California’s Medocino County, sustainability is core to every aspect of the Parducci’s wine business. They are committed to using grapes from local, family vineyards, have implemented chemical-free growing practices, have biodiesel tractors, and use recycled paper and soy-based inks for their labels and packaging.

• Navarro Vineyards: Mendocino (Philo), California: In Petaluma’s Anderson Valley, Navarro Vineyards replaced their mowers with a herd of sheep. “Half of the tractor’s time is picking up weeds, so we can eliminate 50 percent of our fuel just by using sheep,” said owner Ted Bennett. While not “certified” organic, the vineyard takes several eco-friendly steps to ensuring a minimal environmental impact, such as: growing cover crops, composting all winery waste, refraining from herbicide use and giving all of their farm workers health insurance.

• Rodney Strong Vineyards: Healdsburg, California: In October 2003, they installed one of the largest solar electric systems in the wine world. Generating enough energy to power almost 800 homes, it has reduced their dependence on the power grid by 35 percent (over 25 years, the panels will cut emissions of carbon dioxide by 8,700 tons). They are committed to sustainability, taking active measures to restore and protect nearby fish and wildlife habitats, are carbon-neutral, and use drip irrigation, cover crops, integrated pest management, and composting to help protect the land.

• Shafer Vineyards: Napa, California: For more than 20 years, these guys have been dedicated to sustainable wine making.  They are 100 percent solar powered, reuse and recycle  water, and make their own compost for fertilizer. “We partner with owls, songbirds, hawks, bats and other wildlife to cultivate successful vineyards and rely on cover crops to help control insects that would otherwise blight our vines,” their website boasts. Plus, I’ve heard the Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon is to-die-for!

For a comprehensive list of Napa vineyards that “practice sustainability in the winery and/or vineyard” check out Napavinters.com. And let me know if you have other favorites before I head up on Saturday!!!

Tagged as: cover crops, eco-friendly, grapes, Healdsburg, Mendocino, Napa, Navarro Vineyards, recycle, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Shaver Vineyards, solar power, Sonoma, sustainable winery, wine