Sustainable Wine: Practices from Leaders in Mendocino County, California
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Transcript of Sustainable Wine: Practices from Leaders in Mendocino County, California
Learning from Leading Sustainable Wineries in Mendocino County, California
Ann ThruppFetzer Vineyards
Sustainable Winegrowing -Refers to practices in Vineyards & Wineries
A broad concept, often viewed as a goal
EconomicallyViable
Environmentallysound
SustainabilitySustainability
SociallySociallyResponsibleResponsible
Ensuring viability over time…benefiting current & future generations
What is Organic Farming? - Definition -
Organic farming is “an ecological productionmanagement system that promotes and enhancesbiodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biologicalactivity. It is based on minimal use of off-farminputs and on management practices that restore,maintain and enhance ecological harmony.”(National Organic Standards Board, 1998)
Concepts of Sustainable & Organic Agriculture
Conventional IPM Biointensive IPM Organic Biodynamic
UNSUSTAINABLE S U S T A I N A B L E ORGANIC & BEYOND
Some people perceive these concepts on a linear continuum…
However, this linear perspective is somewhat narrow.
An alternative view reveals more complexity …
Relationships betweenOrganic & Sustainable & Biodynamic
Sustainable
Agriculture Organic
Biodynamic “Sustainable”winegrowing is a
much broaderconcept, whichincludes manydimensions (tobe explained)
Learning from Pioneers:Sharing Successful Experiences
Bonterra brand: Made from 100%organically grown grapes.Largest organic wine producer inUS. Sales = 290,000 cases/yr
Fetzer Vineyards is recognizedas a pioneer and leader insustainable & organic practices.Annual Sales = 4 Million cases
Spreading innovation: We are actively involved in theCA Sustainable Winegrowing Program & other outreach
Biodynamic Winefrom the Home
ranch of BonterraVineyards -“The
McNab”
Background onFetzer and Bonterra
Vineyards
• Founded by Barney Fetzer & family in 1968• Home in Hopland, Mendocino County, CA• Bought by Brown Forman Corporation in 1992• Main brands: Fetzer (Valley Oaks) and
Bonterra, created in 1993• Sustainability is core to business and values
FETZER’S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
EEconomic Viability
SocialEEquity
e3 = “The Triple Bottom Line”
EEnvironmental Responsibility
Walking the Talk ….
• Certified Organic Vineyards - 1,560 acres• Comprehensive Recycling• Energy and water conservation• Renewable energy• Green building• Watershed & biodiversity protection• Worker Safety & Health• Community programs• Greenhouse Gas InventoryAnd MORE…..
Thrupp: Fetzer, 2008
How & why did this start at Fetzer?
• Fetzer established an organicgarden in 1984 with diverseplants and foods, to pair withwines
• Impressive results in food taste &quality and soil recovery; so,started using organic methods invineyards in 1984-85
• Results good, so expaned oforganic practices in vineyards.
• Now Fetzer (including Bonterra)is largest grower of certifiedorganic winegrapes in CA
Common Myths about Organic Farming
• Organic farming means neglecting the farm• Organic means being old-fashioned & out-dated• Organic results in bad quality and low yields• Using organic practices costs a LOT more• All Organic producers are “hippy radicals”
These are generallyuntrue myths,especially forwinegrapes!
Basic Approaches for Growing WinegrapesOrganically & Sustainably –
• Elimination of synthetic chemicals• Building the health of the soil (cover crops & compost)• Conservation & enhancement of biodiversity• Recycling of resources and nutrients• Conservation of natural resources• Using a systems approach to farming• Protecting health & welfare of employees and communities• Maximizing quality of the product (grapes and wine)
Management of Solid Wastes:“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” –
Started effort in 1990, aimed to reduce dump costs
Recycling has reduced our waste sent to the landfill by96% since 1990 – from 1,724 cubic yards to 60 cubicyards
0
200
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1990 1992 2000 2005
cubi
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dfill
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Million Cases Produced
113%
96%1724 cy
60 cy
Saved 3200 cubic yardsfrom going to landfill,and saved over $220,000
Fetzer Vineyards – Achievement inSolid Waste Reduction
Energy Conservation• Installation of many
different methods toconserve electricity,natural gas, propaneand diesel
• The RESULTS:Estimated Over 1Megawatt of savings inelectricity
AND mitigation ofclimate change
Example: Insulation “Jackets”on white wine tanks – reducesenergy use by approximately30% in tank room.
Renewable Energy1. Green Energy - Fetzer was first CA winery to
purchase 100% renewable energy - in 19982. Solar Power for Administration Building - 1999
40 kW photovoltaic system; 55,000 kWh a year; capacity to provide 75% of building’s energy use
3. Solar Power for bottling facility - 2006 899 kW photovoltaic system: Largest in CA wine
industry; potential to provide 80% of energy inbottling facility
These energy practices reduce our GHG emissionsand impacts on climate change
- 899 kW photovoltaic system (2006)- RV-MMA buys, installs, operates system- Fetzer Vineyards buys electricity generated- Long-term contractual arrangement
Alternative energy and efficiency intransport and vineyard operations
• Biodiesel used in some tractors and big-rig trucks– Made from vegetable/soy sources– Reduces dependency on oil– Reduces CO2 emissions and pollution
• Carpools for employees• Improved efficiency for truck travel (trucks don’t
travel empty)• Electric vehicles for on-site maintenance
Green House Gas Inventory of winery &starting carbon study in vineyards
• Brown Forman joined the California ClimateAction Registry (CCAR) in late 2006
• Undertook a very comprehensive analysis ofGHG emissions in winery operations, (2006-07)
• Fetzer is beginning a study with UC Davis toevaluate the carbon stocks (sequestration) fromvineyards and surrounding habitat/landscape
Green Building Highlights• 1985, Red Barrel Room
– 90,000 sq ft, earth bermaround sides eliminates theneeds for a cooling system.
• 1992, Cellars– wall between fermenting
areas, saving over 75,000kW a year.
• 1996, Admin Building– Dirt walls, recycled wood,
energy efficient lighting,motion sensors, woolcarpet, night air cooling,ecofriendly insulation, andsolar panels
Thrupp: Fetzer, 2007
New Lighter-weight Bottle Innovation
• New Initiative! 2008 -developing lighter-weightbottles for use in Fetzerbottling facility
• IMPACT: will reduce fuel use,materials in production, GHGemissions, and overallenvironmental impact (We arecalculating expected impacts.)
Water Conservation• Source - mainly from Russian River
– Share w/fish, farmers, families
• Pump and treat water onsite– Use ultraviolet filtration in place of chlorine
• Drip Irrigation in Vineyards- Irrigation timing is done according to analysis of
soil moisture & vine water status
• Measure to manage: Continual effortsto conserve water
• Winery Wastewater- treated, held & reused on vineyards
Conservation of Habitat and Biodiversityin vineyards and landscape:
Examples from Bonterra Vineyards
Conserving biodiverse habitat attractshundreds of raptors, owls, & beneficial snakesand other wildlife (deer, coyotes, bobcats, etc.)
Thrupp: Fetzer, 2007
Additional Animal Biodiversity – McNabranch biodynamic approach
Chickens graze between vines: eatChickens graze between vines: eatcutworms, beetles and weeds,cutworms, beetles and weeds,scratch/loosen soil, leave manurescratch/loosen soil, leave manure
Sheep used for weedSheep used for weedmanagement, especiallymanagement, especiallyeffective in hillsideseffective in hillsides
Watershed Restorationat Fetzer & Bonterra Vineyards
• Watershedconservation & creekrestoration projects
- Dooley Creek -1994 & 04 - McNab creek - 2004• Collaboration &
funding withgovernment agencies- cost share programs
HUMAN ELEMENTS – “EQUITY”“The soul of the company is found in the
hearts of its people” (Paul Dolan)
• Rewarding creativity: Encourageemployees to pursue new ideas
• Employee educationalopportunities for advancement
• Employee programs: English as aSecond Language, car-pools, etc.
• Awards for E3 accomplishments• Unique Safety & Health Program• Community & charity programs:
scholarships, river cleanup, etc.
Outreach, Opportunity• Fetzer and Bonterra have many
awards for outstanding envir-onmental performance & wines
• Brown-Forman integratingsustainability in all other brands.
• Great interest and involvement ingreen practices by growers andwineries in Mendo and beyond
• Fetzer participates in education &outreach to other growers,wineries, public; collaborateswith scientists, educators,regulators, MWWC, etc.
Why Use “Sustainable” Practices?Motivations and Benefits
• Create quality im provements
• Consumer demand rising for org anicproducts & environmentally sound practices
• Concern about social and environmentalresponsib ility , and protection of health
• Complying to & avoid ing reg ulat ions
• Competit ive advantag es ( d ifferentiat ion)
• Cost & risk reductions
“Doing the rig ht thing ”… w in-w in approaches Source: Fetzer Vineyards, & Thrupp , 2 0 0 2 , “Fruits of Prog ress”