The world of sustainable wines is multifarious, offering a wide range of production methods and wine styles that stand as healthy alternatives to conventionally made wines. Across the globe there are numerous wineries practicing these healthy methods, and dozens of organizations that work to uphold sustainable wine standards and tout the work of their member wineries.
Wines made with ‘No Sulfites Added,’ and ‘Vegan’ wines, are available to address the health and dietary needs of particular consumers. While ‘Certified Organic’ and ‘Practicing Organic’ wineries use refined production methods and maintain rigorous winemaking standards that result in pristine finished wines. Further still, the discipline of ‘Biodynamics’ takes a holistic approach to viticulture and winemaking and raises the art of wine production to its highest level.
Sustainability in the wine world is certified through numerous bodies, each dedicated to a set of standards and practices that emphasize healthy ecology, economic viability, and social responsibility. Organizations like ‘Lodi Rules,’ ‘Napa Green,’ and ‘Sustainability in Practice’ lead the way California, while ‘Live’ bears the torch in Oregon, and numerous other sustainability organizations serve their member wineries across the globe.
Wines made with ‘No Sulfites Added,’ and ‘Vegan’ wines, are available to address the health and dietary needs of particular consumers. While ‘Certified Organic’ and ‘Practicing Organic’ wineries use refined production methods and maintain rigorous winemaking standards that result in pristine finished wines. Further still, the discipline of ‘Biodynamics’ takes a holistic approach to viticulture and winemaking and raises the art of wine production to its highest level.
Sustainability in the wine world is certified through numerous bodies, each dedicated to a set of standards and practices that emphasize healthy ecology, economic viability, and social responsibility. Organizations like ‘Lodi Rules,’ ‘Napa Green,’ and ‘Sustainability in Practice’ lead the way California, while ‘Live’ bears the torch in Oregon, and numerous other sustainability organizations serve their member wineries across the globe.
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Broadside, DeLoach, Raymond, Jonata, Paring
BELIEF IN BIODYNAMICS
Biodynamics is a spiritual-ethical-ecological approach to agriculture developed by Rudolf Steiner in 1924. Biodynamic farming and winemaking follow the cycles of the moon/planets, use a series of ‘preparations’ applied to soil and plants in homeopathic doses, and utilize estate farm-generated outputs like composted manure. Biodynamic wines are certified by an organization called Demeter which allows a maximum of 100ppm sulfites for dry wines and 150 ppm for sweet wines. Biodyvin is a well-known organization of European Biodynamic producers.
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DON'T PANIC, IT'S ORGANIC
CERTIFIED ORGANIC: USDA Certified Organic wines have had their production cycle certified from vineyard to bottle. USDA Certified Organic grapes are grown in vineyards that must not use synthetic pesticides or chemical herbicides. Certified Organic wines must contain only naturally occurring sulfites (up to 10ppm), must be produced and bottled in a certified organic facility, and must not contain any GMOs. Various countries and region may have their own certifying bodies each with their own standards. Wines labelled “Made with Organic Grapes” must use certified organic grapes but may have sulfite levels up to 100ppm.
PRACTICING ORGANIC: Practicing Organic wine producers have no formal certification, though there are thousands of producers in the world that fall under this category. These producers hold themselves to organic standards whenever possible, both in the vineyards and in the winery. Usually, they have chosen not to go through the time and expense of official organic certification and/or have chosen to operate organically but allow room for non-organic viticultural methods to be used in emergency situations.
DON'T PANIC, IT'S ORGANIC
CERTIFIED ORGANIC: USDA Certified Organic wines have had their production cycle certified from vineyard to bottle. USDA Certified Organic grapes are grown in vineyards that must not use synthetic pesticides or chemical herbicides. Certified Organic wines must contain only naturally occurring sulfites (up to 10ppm), must be produced and bottled in a certified organic facility, and must not contain any GMOs. Various countries and region may have their own certifying bodies each with their own standards. Wines labelled “Made with Organic Grapes” must use certified organic grapes but may have sulfite levels up to 100ppm.
PRACTICING ORGANIC: Practicing Organic wine producers have no formal certification, though there are thousands of producers in the world that fall under this category. These producers hold themselves to organic standards whenever possible, both in the vineyards and in the winery. Usually, they have chosen not to go through the time and expense of official organic certification and/or have chosen to operate organically but allow room for non-organic viticultural methods to be used in emergency situations.
VEGAN WINES
Vegan wines have been produced without the use of animal-based substances. Animal-based substances are sometimes used as fining agents; these agents are commonly used to improve wine clarity, adjust the character of a wine, reduce sediment, and hasten the production process. Vegan wines are certified by various certifying bodies. Most vegan wines will state ‘Certified Vegan’ or ‘Vegan Friendly,' but many vegan wines do not get certified and do not have label terms identifying them as vegan.
NSA (No Sulfites Added) wines are produced without any added sulfites but may contain up to 10ppm of naturally occurring sulfites which are an unavoidable by-product of fermentation. NSA wines may contain language on the label such as “Contains No Detectable Sulfites,” or “May Contain Naturally Occurring Sulfites,” and most are USDA Certified Organic. Sulfites have been added to wine for centuries to help prevent bacterial spoilage and oxidation; about 1 in 100 people have sensitivity to sulfite according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
DRY FARMING
Dry farming is the viticultural practice of withholding irrigation from a vineyard, usually after it has been sufficiently irrigated and established in its first 3-5 years. Dry-farming is considered environmentally responsible in that it conserves water and can help alleviate water shortages, though some who practice dry-farming will utilize irrigation in emergency situations. Dry farming encourages a vine’s root systems to dig more deeply for water and thereby protect it from drought. Proponents say the practice produces more intensely flavored grapes, which makes more intensely flavored wines.
SUSTAINABLE
Wineries that consider themselves ‘sustainable’ generally strive to be ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible in how they operate. Sustainable winery practices will often include the use of solar power, water reclamation systems, recycling schemes, and social support and wellness programs for workers. There is no formal certification for sustainable wineries, though there are numerous winery associations worldwide whose member wineries operate in a sustainable fashion.
LODI RULES SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION
LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing is California’s original sustainable viticulture program. The certification process is rigorous, based in science, and is third-party accredited and audited. LODI RULES-certified growers farm quality wine grapes through the implementation of viticulture practices that balance environmental, social, and economic goals. The LODI RULES program is designed to communicate member wineries’ strong commitment to balanced and sustainable agriculture in the Lodi region of California.
NAPA GREEN SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION
Napa Green Certification (NGC) is a comprehensive sustainability certification program for vineyards and wineries in Napa Valley, California. Napa Green Certification indicates a winery is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Napa River watershed; saving energy and water; reducing waste and carbon footprint; and being conscientious employers and good neighbors. Napa Green Certification maintains its rigorous sustainability accreditations through independent, third-party certification of farms and winemaking facilities.
LIVE SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION
LIVE is a certification program developed in 1997 by an independently incorporated organization of Oregon winegrowers to provide vineyards and wineries official recognition for sustainable agricultural practices. LIVE uses a points system to gauge producers' improvement in diversification of the agro-ecosystem, and reductions in the use of fuels and chemical inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers. LIVE wines are independently certified to meet strict international standards for environmentally and socially responsible winegrowing and winemaking in the Pacific Northwest.
SIP SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION
Sustainability in Practice (SIP) began in California's Central Coast in 2008, and now certifies sustainable vineyards, wineries, and wines, worldwide. The certification is considered very comprehensive, evaluating sustainable practices on many levels, from farm labor to agriculture, and energy conservation to water quality. Sustainability in Practice covers matters including social responsibility, water management, safe pest management, energy efficiency, ethical business practices, and habitat protection. Broadside’s Margarita Vineyard is a top SIP-certified vineyard.
LEED DESIGN CERTIFICATION
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the world's most widely used green building rating system, it provides a framework for constructing healthy, efficient, green buildings. Participating wineries have features like recycled flooring, planted rooftops, solar panels, radiant floors, naturally insulated caves, local building materials, and rainwater capture for irrigation. Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) wineries are always environmentally sustainable and architecturally inspirational. Alexana Winery is one of North America’s top LEED-certified wineries.
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) wineries are always environmentally sustainable and architecturally inspirational. Alexana Winery is one of North America’s top LEED-certified wineries.