5 Questions to Ask About Sustainability in Wine
One of the gifts that COVID may have given wine lovers is the opportunity to rethink our buying patterns. Rather than selecting only from the brands stocked at our local stores, we are increasingly buying directly from wineries, restaurants, and farms and having their products shipped or delivered to our door. This allows us the freedom to find and support wineries that live by values that align with our own. But how do we know if a winery’s sustainability practices match our values? It can be confusing to untangle whether a winery’s practices are “natural” (generally meaning that they are farmed without pesticides and without additions in the winery such as yeasts, preservatives, and acidity adjustments), “biodynamic” (generally meaning they are farmed without pesticides and in accordance with a philosophical holistic approach), or “sustainable” (generally meaning they are governed by practices that are not only environmentally conscious but also socially responsible). Here are five questions to help you figure it out.
1) Why does sustainability matter to you? Be clear about why you personally care about sustainability and this will bring into focus the actions a winery could take that matter most to you. Do you want to drink wines that did not use pesticides or chemicals in the process? Do you want your dollars to flow to organizations that treat workers fairly because you are concerned about the historic exploitation of agricultural workers? Do you associate a focus on environmental sustainability with higher quality or attention to detail in winemaking? Knowing your definition of sustainability allows you to assess whether a winery meets your definition.
2) Who owns the winery? Is the wine brand owned by a corporation, or is it independently owned by a family or individual? This doesn’t mean that smaller is better or vice versa, but it can be an indicator of the volume and profitability pressure, which can create a higher likelihood to use chemicals or non-naturally occurring materials.
3) How are the vineyards farmed? Sustainable farming generally means that processes minimize chemicals and may encourage biodiversity within the vineyard system. There is no national standard for accrediting sustainability. Instead, standards tend to be regional (e.g., LIVE in Oregon). If this is important to you, ask about this certification or farming practice.
4) How energy and water efficient is the winery? A winemaking facility uses an incredible amount of water due to constant cleaning and energy for equipment. Are there processes in place to increase efficiency (e.g., vertical winery design to leverage gravity, water treatment, solar or wind energy sourcing, light conservation)?
5) Does the bottling packaging consider the carbon footprint? The bottling process can create an excessive amount of carbon emissions through the manufacturing and transport of bottles, corks, capsules, and labels. Is the wine packaged in 750mL bottles or more readily recyclable or reusable alternate packaging? If it is packaged in bottles, where was the glass produced (USA or China)? Chinese glass is significantly less expensive for a winery to purchase, but must come via container ship. Are the bottles heavy or light weight? Does the winery purchase tin capsules from Spain or are they using domestic capsules? Are the labels produced locally?
Most of this information should be accessible by observing the packaging and website, but if not, ask these questions directly. Asking questions can help you determine whether you are supporting wineries that share your values.