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

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200

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1990 1992 2000 2005

cubi

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dfill

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Million Cases Produced

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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”