Sustainability in Viticulture and Winemaking

The term "sustainable" refers to farming practices that support social responsibility, economic viability, and grape growing that does not deplete natural resources, cause environmental damage, or negatively impact future generations. This often includes water and energy conservation, healthy soil maintenance, the protection of air and water quality, and the preservation of local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Essentially, this means a bottle of sustainable wine was produced, at ever step of the way from grape to wine, with as little impact on the environment as possible. Many wineries choose not to pursue a certification for the sustainable farming they practice, due to being small and lacking necessary resources (read: lots of red tape and associated costs). However, there are many sustainable certifications a winery can obtain. Some of the most common include Vinea Trust, Sustainable WA, Live Certified, Salmon Safe, SIP Certified, Fish Friendly Farming, and Napa Green.