Educational Articles
Growing Green – SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC AND BIODYNAMIC WINE GROWING PRACTICES
4.07.10
Over the last decade consumers have become increasingly more interested in organic food products and have significantly increased their purchases of organically grown food. During this time there has been a corresponding increase in the interest and purchasing of wine made with organically grown grapes by consumers as well, a category that grew, according to the Nielsen Company, 3.7 percent in 2009. A number of restaurants and retail wine shops now dedicate a portion of their wine lists or a section of their stores to organic wine selections to assist those customers interested in organic wines. The concept of organic wine production basically falls into three categories of viticulture practices. These categories are: sustainable, organic and biodynamic. Lipman has prepared this tutorial to provide you with useful information regarding the categories by which “Growing Green” is categorized.
SUSTAINABLE:
Just as the term “Reserve” on a wine label may or may not indicate that the wine has special qualities or attributes in terms of grape and site selection, production methods, oak aging etc. sustainability does not imply that any specific, defined quality standards were utilized in the growing of the grapes or in the production of a particular wine. In broad terms however, sustainable winegrowing means “Incorporating practices that keep vineyards healthy and productive over the long haul, minimizing negative environmental impacts, and conserving resources and reducing waste and pollution at the winery.”
The Parducci Winery in Mendocino County has been a pioneer in the effort to practice and promote sustainable viticulture. Parducci practices what they call the “Triple Bottom Line” or “E3”- economic viability, environmental responsibility and social equity. The following are the standards to which Parducci aspires. While there are many nuanced issues to contemplate and critical decisions to be made on the path to sustainability, we feel that the standards they apply to their business model provide a comprehensive template for the practice of sustainable viticulture.
PARDUCCI’S SUSTAINABILITY STANDARD:
• Carbon Neutrality
• 100% Green Power
• Adoption of Certified Sustainable Farming Practices
• Water Conservation & recycling
• Earth Friendly Packaging
• Reduce, Reuse & Recycle
• Support Local, Family Owned and Operated Business
• Support Our Employees and Community
• Family Owned and Operated
STAINABLE WINEGROWING PROGRAMS:
• California Sustainable Winegrowing Programs (www.sustainablewinegrowing.com) (www.wineinstitute.org)
• Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Central Coast Vineyard Team (www.vineyardteam.com)
• Fish Friendly Farming (www.fishfriendlyfarming.org)
• Lodi’s Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing (www.lodiwine.com)
• Low Input Viticulture & Enology (LIVE) (www.liveinc.org)
• Napa Green (www.napavintners.com)
• Salmon Safe (www.salmonsafe.org)
ORGANIC: “Made with Organically Grown Grapes”
“Organically grown” is a legal term defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When a wine label reads “Made with Organically Grown Grapes”, it indicates the following:
• Vineyards are farmed without harmful or toxic chemicals
• Vineyards must receive certification (Certification takes place after a 3 year transitional period)
• Farm plan follows USDA National Organic Program Standards, including use of renewable resources & conservation of soil and water.
• Annual independent third party review of farming practices
• Sulfites may be used at bottling - Up to 100ppm to preserve wine by preventing spoilage and browning
ORGANIC WINE: When a wine label reads “Organic Wine” it indicates
• Same as points 1-3 mentioned above
• No sulfites can be added; however, a minimum level of naturally occurring sulfites can be found in all wine
• Wines must be produced in certified organic winery (CCOF) following the National Organic Program Guidelines
ORGANIC CERTIFIERS:
• California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) (www.ccof.org)
• Oregon Tilth (www.tilth.org)
• Organic Certificers (www.organiccertifiers.com)
• Ecocert (Europe) (www.ecocert.com)
BIODYNAMIC WINE:
Biodynamic is a more holistic approach to winemaking involving farming that strives for balance and self-sufficiency, encompassing all organic guidelines.
When a wine label reads “Biodynamic” it indicates:
• Vineyards are certified- Transition period of 3 years, (2 years if already certified organic)
• Farm plan follows Demeter standards- Annual review of practices by Demeter.
• Farming in accordance with the teachings of Rudolf Steiner
• Self-contained ecosystem
• Biodiversity (cover crops, farm animals, habitat breaks, etc.)
• Systems approach to farming-promote health of the whole system
• Use of Biodynamic preparations
• No use of toxic chemicals (herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers)
• Farming follows Biodynamic calendar
• Wine must be produced in certified Biodynamic winery
• Annual review of practices by Demeter.
BIODYNAMIC CERTIFIERS
• Demeter (U.S.A. and World) (www.Demeter-usa.org)
• Biodyvin (France) (www.biodyvin.com)
• Stellar certification Services (SCS) (http://www.greenpeople.org/listing/Stellar_Certificatio_27434.cfm)
LIPMAN BROTHERS “GREEN WINERIES”
CALIFORNIA
• Bonterra (Mendocino) OGG (www.bontera.com)
• Cade Estate (Napa) SUS (www.cadewinery.com)
• Grgich Hills (Napa) Bio (www.grgich.com)
• Manifesto SUS (www.manifestowines.com)
• Moon Mountain (Sonoma) OGG (www.moonmountainvineyard.com)
• Orleans Hills ORG (www.wine.appellationamerica.com)
• Parducci (Mendocino) SUS (www.parducci.com)
• Paul Dolan (Mendocino) OGG (www.pauldolanwine.com)
• Ridge (Sonoma/Santa Clara) SUS (www.ridgewine.com)
• Tablas Creek (Monterey) ORG (www.tablascreek.com)
• Volker Eisle (Napa) OGG (www.volkereiselefamilyestate.com)
• Zaca Mesa (Santa Ynez) SUS (www.zacamesa.com)
WASHINGTON
• Snoqualmie (Columbia Valley) OGG (www.snoqualmie.com)
SPAIN
• Earth 2.0 (Navarre) OGG (www.earth-wines.com)
SOUTH AMERICA
• Cono Sur (Chile) OGG (www.conosur.com)
• Santa Julia (Argentina) OGG (www.winesellersltd.com)
FRANCE
• Chapoutier (Rhone) OGG (www.chapoutier.com)
• Perrin (Rhone) OGG (www.vineyardbrands.com)
KEY:
BioD - Biodynamic
ORG - Organic
OGG - Organically Grown Grapes
SUS - Sustainable