The World's 5 Most Wicked Green Wineries
by Jessica Root - Brooklyn, NY 
on 08. 6.08
There’s a Latin saying that goes, “It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend; one's present or future thirst; the excellence of the wine; or any other reason.” My “any other reason” to drink wine? If it’s local, organic or made at an ecologically sensitive winery. There’s nothing better than taking a sweet swig knowing that the vino was brewed with eco-love by winemakers who give a damn. Come circle the globe as we take a peek at the five greenest wineries in the world.
Stratus Winery, Niagara, Ontario Canada: First LEED-Certified Winery in North America
As TreeHugger contributor Lloyd Alter so candidly points out, TreeHugger likes LEED-certified wineries, but we love LEED certified wineries that are easy on the eye. With handsome appeal, Stratus makes history as the first LEED certified winery in North America. Situated in Niagara, Ontario, architect Les Andrew outfitted the building with geothermal heating and cooling, recycled materials, compost, staff bike lockers and a company Prius. The winemaking itself is also au natural, using gravity to process the grapes and wine, instead of energy-sucking conveyer belts. Though the vino isn’t certified organic, the grapes are cultivated without the use of herbicides or fertilizers. Try their unique and sweet Icewine Red, which hints of guava, strawberry rhubarb pie, plums and spice. Need I say more? ::Stratus Winery
Parducci Wine Cellars, Mendocino, California, U.S.A.: 100% Carbon-Neutral
In April of this year, Parducci announced its switch to 100% solar and wind power, making it America’s first carbon-neutral winery. Nestled in California’s Medocino County, the family-owned winery buys its grapes from local vendors, practices organic farming methods and pest management, and uses biodiesel tractors and eco-friendly packaging. Consider packing their July Wines of the Month—Parducci Sustainable White and Sustainable Red—into your picnic basket. ::Parducci Wine Cellars
Navarro Vineyards, Philo, California, U.S.A.: Sheepishly Green
What’s cuter than fuzzy, little, baby-doll sheep? Fuzzy, little baby-doll sheep that are helping keep carbon emissions out of our air. Navarro Vineyards in Northern California uses the wooly critters—instead of lawnmowers—to keep their rows between grape plants clear. According to vineyard owner Ted Bennett, “Half of the time spent on the tractor is used to eliminate weeds. By replacing the tractors with sheep, they eliminate half of the fuel they would have otherwise used.” The wine isn’t certified organic but the vineyard is taking a myriad of eco-steps by growing cover crops and endemic grasses, keeping a no-till policy to increase the longevity of the soil, composting all of the winery waste and refraining from herbicide use. Another oh-so-important piece to the sustainable puzzle: they give all of their farm workers health insurance. Pamper your palette with a glass of the vineyard’s favorite, Pinot Noir Deep End Blend. ::Navarro Vineyards
Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg, California, U.S.A: Powered by Solar Energy
Shafer Vineyards set the green example in California’s Wine Country back in 2005 when it became the first to switch to 100% solar power. Rodney Strong Vineyards in Cali’s Sonoma County went above and beyond that, installing a 766-kilowatt, 4,032-panel solar-electric system—the largest solar array in the wine industry. Instead of zapping energy from the grid, the vineyard’s solar panels generate enough electricity during the day to power almost 800 homes. And over the next 25 years, the vineyard’s solar-generated electricity will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 89,700 tons. The equivalent to planting 2,500 acres of trees or not driving 22 million miles on California's roadways. The winery has more than just solar vision, too. Certified by Fish Friendly Farming, they take active measures to restore and protect nearby fish and wildlife habitats. White wine lovers should try their 2006 Chardonnay Reserve Russian River Valley for its lemon-cream pie and toasty oak aromas. ::Rodney Strong Vineyards
Chateau Val Joanis, Provence, France: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Put the Ooh la la in Sustainable Wineries
The hot power couple that we oh-so-like to ogle, has their eyes set on organic winemaking. Last summer, Brad and Angelina moved into Chateau Val Joanis, a 1,000-acre estate featuring one of the oldest operating vineyards in the world. The property boasts organic grapes, a veggie and herb garden, an olive orchard and fruit trees. Because the vineyard yields wine below the general average output, it’s easy to operate sustainably—that is, without the use of chemicals or mineral fertilizers. Although only time will tell whether Brad and Angelina can carry out the estate’s green legend, we applaud them for making it sexy to invest in historic, green property. ::Chateau Val Joanis
More on Organic Wine:
WineLibrary.com's Gary Vaynerchuk on Organic Wine: Part 1
TreeHugger TV: Organic and Biodynamic Wines
More on Eco-Friendly Wine:
Hitting the Bottle or Hitting the Box? The Debate Continues
Bask In The Warm Glow Of Wine, Without Warming The Globe
Reuse Those Empty Wine Bottles: Five Ways
Uncork Some Green Wine
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
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- Detox Your Home: In the Nursery, Part 1
- Green Your Mind With Yoga: Mitahara
- Wine Lovers, Choose Cork To Save Endangered Lynx & Preserve Biodiversity
- Five Curious Food Inventions You've Never Heard Of
- Commit to Going Green with the EPA's 'Pick 5 for the Environment'
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