“Big” isn’t always bad. There are some rather large wineries that are doing very good things in the environmental arena.
For example, Fetzer Vineyards’ leadership in sustainable environmental practices has been recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency with a 2007 Best-of-the-Best Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol, a signature event in climate protection endorsed by 190 nations.
The California Integrated Waste Management Board also has awarded Fetzer its 12th WRAP (Waste Reduction Award Program) honor for reducing landfill waste through innovative recycling and waste reduction programs that allow the winery to be a zero-waste facility.
Fetzer first earned the EPA award in 2002 in recognition of its banning of methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting soil fumigant, in viticultural practices. Methyl bromide is known to erode the ozone layer. Fetzer’s first WRAP award was earned in 1993.
The new EPA award is among several given to “the highest caliber recipients from more than 500 award winners from 1990 to 2007,”
according to the EPA. The Best-of-the Best award nominees were evaluated by the EPA staff and judged by an international panel representing industry, government and non-governmental organizations, with the leadership of the EPA making the final selection of winners.
Fetzer’s award notes the phasing out of methyl bromide, and the winery’s broad use of sustainable practices including organic farming of estate vineyards, integrated pest management, use of cover crops, composting and related vineyard practices, solar and other renewable energy usage, reducing waste and other Earth-friendly practices. The citation also acknowledges Fetzer’s leadership in sharing information about sustainability broadly.
Among other winners are nine in the corporate/government/military sector, five from associations, six team winners and 31 individuals.
Fetzer is the only winery among the group.
