Sometimes, at the end of the day all you need is to walk through the door, take your shoes off, collapse into a comfy chair, and enjoy every second of a really good glass of wine. We hear you.
Wine is a complex religion, and takes a little learning to really keep the faith. But don’t worry, wine lovers, we’re here to guide you. If you’re a wannabe-wino who cares about the environment, consider making an investment in your wine – and learn a little something along the way. Who knows, you may get the urge to book flights to some of these eco-friendly regions and learn the wine-making process yourself.
We’ve rounded up a few eco-friendly, organic wineries that fit the bill for organic recipes and environmentally conscious methods.
Find out how tasty reds and whites make the perfect green travel excursion:
The Stratus Winery in Ontario, Canada was the first LEED-certified winery in North America, so clearly, their initiative is worthy of praise. The folks here believe that the wines they produce are “a true expression of the vineyard’s terrior,” and with such dedication to environmental sustainability for their land, we believe only good things about the ingredients in the glass. Cultivating premium VQA wines on its 55-acres of land, Stratus works diligently not only to make sure that the wine-making process is an all-natural practice, but that the facilities work toward greener goals as well. Instead of using conveyor belts to process the grapes and the wine, intelligent minds at Stratus use gravity to pull and retain ingredients. Interested? Book a flight to Ontario and spend your green travel strolling the premises, learning the practice, and of course, enjoying the wine.
The 100 percent carbon-neutral Parducci Wine Cellars in Mendocino, California is the perfect green travel destination for someone who appreciates history. Family owned and farmed since 1930, the Parducci family has grown and worked together, bringing the entire family (including children and grandchildren) into the mix for an authentic product. They consider themselves “responsible stewards of land” and devote themselves to sustainable wine-making processes, like synthetic chemical free farming (certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers), biodynamic vineyards, and conservation of soil and water. Obtaining 25 percent of the winery’s energy through solar power, Parducci Wine Cellars expands its green plans outside of the bottle. Biodiesel (fuel made from vegetable oil) is used for the premise’s cars and tractors. Even the packaging is green: When these people ship wine, they use 100 percent post-consumer and tree-free papers. Hop on a flight to California to add a little eco-buzz to your green travel.
Another eco-winery in Mendocino (California has it all, doesn’t it?) is Frey Vineyards. The individuals who keep this place running are truly committed to organic wines, paying particular attention to making sure no sulfates get in the way of their purification. Yeast nutrients and genetically engineered yeast come nowhere near this sacred juice, and only organic fruits and berries (which have up to 58 percent higher natural antioxidants than non-organic ones) are chosen. Their biodynamic wine bans cultured yeast and malolactic bacteria, and because not a drop of this wine is allowed to be manipulated, every single bottle is considered to be vintage. In addition to all its organic certifications, Frey Vineyards also makes sure that the natural antioxidants and phytonutrients pump up the staying power, so your wine ages with grace. Furthermore, the water, soil, and genetic diversity is always conserved, so be prepared to be impressed when you book your green travel to California.
Upstate New York might not be the most happening place in the world, but Four Chimneys Organic Winery in Himrod gets our attention. Setting the standard for the Northeast Organic Farmers Association, this winery doesn’t let anything toxic or synthetic into the growing of its grapes, or within the wine-making process. Instead of pesticides, these earth-friendly farmers spread ladybugs and lacewings to take care of business and keep the number of grape-eating predators out of town. Think you know what it means to be dedicated? Farmers here actually go so far as to feed the grape plants through their individual leaves when pests make their way in. Once the grapes are healthy and ready for processing, a tightly-filtered system makes sure that no yeast or bacteria will get in to cause spoilage. Vegetarians and vegans can appreciate that no animal products like bull’s blood, gelatin, or egg whites are used. If you’re already hooked, book a flight to New York and start your green travel by heading straight to Four Chimneys.
© Cheapflights Ltd Andrea Mooney
