Californian vineyard shows us how to eat, drink and be merrily green

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge fan of wine; white, red, and everything in between. There is very little that can top a great wine shared with good friends and good food.

That is why I find this news so very deliciously enticing: Due largely to its efforts in sustainability and “green” viticulture, Californian winemaker Paul Dolan Vineyards has been named Winery of the Year by the California Tourism Industry Association.

America’s Greenest Winery

Paul Dolan, Tom and Tim Thornhill, producers of California-based Paul Dolan Vineyards and Parducci Wine Cellars (the country’s first carbon neutral winery), dedicate their business to responsible land stewardship, sustainable viticulture and green business practices that yield superior wines while protecting the environment and supporting local farmers.

Their wines are made from organic and Biodynamic® grapes grown in certified vineyards.

“Wine travel is a very important part of tourism in California, particularly in Northern California,” said Tom Thornhill. “These travelers tend to be trendsetters who are looking for that special memorable experience. At Paul Dolan Vineyards we want to broaden that experience to include a perspective on ‘green,’ sustainable viticulture and business practices.”

Together, the three partners have published The Green Winegrowing Handbook in 2008; providing an in-depth overview of green practices in the wine industry and a better understanding of how and why these practices contribute not only to the quality of wine but the health of the environment.

Organically grown

“After tasting the real difference between organic and conventionally farmed grapes, side by side in a sun-drenched vineyard in 1987, my entire way of thinking about grape growing changed,” says Paul Dolan.

Organic vineyards are often small, family-owned and operated properties that utilize renewable resources while actively conserving soil and water. The very concept of organic winegrowing recognizes that healthy soils grow balanced grapes that produce the best wines;  using only natural processes and rejecting the use of synthetic chemicals. Winemakers use organic grapes and yeasts to create wines of great character and purity.

Utilizing Biodynamic® Agriculture, a sustainable system of farming, Paul Dolan Vineyards’ approach to farming is the blending of prescriptive, holistic practices with the farmer’s experiences and observations, creating self-sustaining growing environments by using natural amendments, ideally from the farm itself, to encourage growth and health in the vineyard.

Natural systems such as wildlife corridors and cover crops, along with bees, birds, owls and free-range chickens, keep populations of harmful insects and weeds in control and provide a thriving environment for the vines. The vineywards also use nature’s own processes to restore nutrients to the soil, regulate water usage and create biodiversity to keep balance in the vineyard.

So in the name of sustainability….Bottom’s up!