The recent 40th anniversary of the Woodstock music festival brought to mind more than just a legacy of great music.
Woodstock, among other things, also was about idealism, and showing the world that people of all races, religions and classes could get along — even if for just a few days.
That generation also was environmentally aware. Many of their ideas, which were dismissed by the “establishment” as radical then, now are mainstream. The whole “green movement” really can be traced to the 1960s and the men, women and kids who attended Woodstock — or would have if they could have.
It is no small irony that the “green” movement has gone corporate. Fortunately, it’s ironic in a good way, as every small step taken contributes to a kinder, gentler footprint.
That’s why we love sharing news of the small steps and big steps being taken by America’s wineries.
Among the big-step takers is Hall Wines in the Napa Valley community of St. Helena. Hall recently was described by the St. Helena Star as “the most environmentally friendly winery in California.”
You can read all about Hall’s various environmental initiatives by following this link:
http://www.sthelenastar.com/articles/2009/08/07/news/local/doc4a7a5dff9578f307664680.txt
The big news is that the two new winery buildings at Hall are the first in California to receive gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
And we like the attitude of winery co-owner Craig Hall, who believes other wine estate owners should follow suit.
“We challenge everyone to do this,” he told the Star, “because all wineries that are built from now on should be gold-certified.”
One for all and all for one — an attitude that permeated Woodstock four decades ago.
It doesn’t seem all that radical now.
