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Established
Club Bonterra, an organization of Fetzer grape growers who are
dedicated to sharing information about sustainable farming practices.
This expanding organization is the backbone of Fetzer's commitment
to be growing and purchasing 100% organically grown grapes for
use in all of its wines by the year 2010.
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Finished
construction in April, 1996, of a new 10,000 square foot adminstration
building in Hopland. The building is one of the world's first
large-scale uses of rammed-earth construction and features recycled
doors and timber. Photovoltaic panels were added to the building
in June 1999, supplying 75% of the building's electricity.
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Created
a natural filtration system for handling winery wastewater in
1998. After three years of study by a UC Davis doctoral candidate,
Fetzer's wastewater ponds were converted into a natural system
employing gravel and sand filters, and a planted reedbed. Low
energy aeration takes place with sprinklers instead of energy-burning
equipment. The treated water is used on the winery's organically
farmed grapes and landscaping.
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Initiated
a new business program in 1998 to create a triple bottom line
at Fetzer: along with economic considerations, impact of any
business decision upon the employees and the environment is
fully evaluated.
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Received
two awards in 1999 recognizing the winery's work in the area
of the environment. Business Ethics Magazine awarded Fetzer
their "Award for Environmental Excellence". The US Environmental
Protection Agency presented Fetzer with its "Climate Wise" Partnership
Award.
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