Sustainable Farming
Preserving productive agricultural lands includes all three prongs of the term “sustainability”: economics, environment, and society. Being good stewards of the land and good neighbors are important business and personal values in the wine community. Most owners and employees live at or near their wineries and vineyards and strive to maintain a healthy and beautiful environment for themselves, their neighbors and visitors. They work to produce high quality grapes and wine using environmentally-friendly and socially responsible practices. These mainly family-owned businesses want to pass on their legacy to future generations.
Sustainable farmers consider their profitability when choosing farm practices, but they generally recycle, conserve energy and water, and use renewable resources when possible. They respect the intangible benefits of their choices — such as the maintenance of open space, landscape integrity, cultural heritage, and rural character — results of the preservation of farmland.
At MWG we define “sustainable” using the following criteria:
- Small family-farmers
- Growers participate in the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices
- Wine quality and price
Noteworthy
The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance is working to develop a certification program to accompany the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices. This certification standard is expected to become available in 2009.