Sustainable Viticulture

There are many vineyards that practice the process of sustainable viticulture where water usage is reduced, healthy soil is built, and the surrounding wildlife is maintained. Sustainable wine growing is unlike other farming practices because it is all encompassing in its approach with concern for all surrounding environments and not just the crop itself. It’s an ever-evolving commitment to improve environmental practices throughout all winery operations including vineyard management, administration, hospitality, habitat management, and the winemaking process.

The confusion with sustainable viticulture is that the definition is more of a philosophy or way of life than a strict set of rules, and farmers can interpret the meaning differently. In addition, there is no legal obligation to follow any of the criteria for sustainability. The USDA is currently working on making this definition more clear.