FETZER VINEYARDS: COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Fetzer Vineyards is an environmentally conscious grower, producer and marketer of wines of the highest quality and value. A process to develop and initiate sustainable business practices was initiated by Fetzer Managing Director Paul Dolan and the Fetzer family in the mid 1980s, when the company began transforming the rustic Valley Oaks Ranch into a world-class food and wine training and education center for the wine trade.

As the organic gardens at Valley Oaks were being developed, the management team learned more about the benefits and sustainability of organic farming practices and conservation techniques and envisioned the potential for these benefits in vineyard management and winemaking. This began a quest to continually improve the winery's energy efficiency, vineyard practices, and sustainability of general business operations. From the time this initiative began in the late 1980s, Fetzer Vineyards has:

Become the industry leader in farming grapes organically. Fetzer Vineyards has 360 acres of certified organic grapes. The Fetzer family farms 1,100 acres of certified grapes. Together we are the largest grower of grapes grown organically on the North Coast and are certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF).

Established company-wide recycling centers. All bottles, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, FAX paper, computer paper, antifreeze, waste oil, fluorescent tubes and glass are now separated and sold to various recyclers.

Saved thousands of dollars in dump fees by reducing the amount of material hauled to landfills by 93% since 1991, through company recycling and waste diversion programs. These efforts have been recognized by the State of California, with Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) awards for the past seven years. In 1997 Fetzer Vineyards was recognized as one of the top ten recycling companies in the state.

Created a large composting program that incorporates all of the stems and seeds from the winery's crushed grapes, known as pomace. This material is composted for more than a year before being spread throughout the vineyards as natural fertilizer and used as mulch around trees and plants throughout the property.

Signed a contract in May 1999 with PG&E Energy Services to purchase 100% renewable energy for all winery and visitor center operations. Fetzer is the only winery purchasing 100% renewable (green) energy.

Found new ways to reduce energy consumption. Working with Pacific Gas & Electric, a simple insulated concrete wall was devised and built to separate cold stabilizing wine from warm-fermenting wine, resulting in a power bill reduction of $5,000 per month. Temperature tank controls were computerized and upgraded to allow better control and the ability to completely shut off the system as needed. Also, a new natural gas-powered cogeneration unit was recently installed in the red barrel room, which produces both hot water for the barrel washing operation and electricity for the heating/cooling and lighting of the building.

Become the only winery in the United States to buy corks direct from the source in Portugal and ship them in large containers, thereby eliminating packaging. The corks are processed and de-dusted at the winery, imprinted with the brand name, and lightly coated with paraffin/silicone. This hands-on quality control plays a role in reducing "corked" wines and is environmentally friendly.

Became the first winery in the United States to create a new and fully recyclable aluminum capsule. These new poly-laminate capsules are now found on all Fetzer Barrel Select and Reserve wines bottled since 1992. New flange-top bottles, introduced on most Fetzer Premium Varietal wines, eliminate the need for capsules altogether.
Instituted a policy of using 100% recycled, or post-consumer recycled, paper for all company letterhead, business cards, company newsletter, press releases, toilet paper and paper towels. The winery also uses "earth-friendly" soaps and detergents at the Valley Oaks Center.

Been recognized by the Peregrine chapter of the National Audubon Society for helping to establish a blue heron sanctuary near one of our vineyards located along the Russian River.

Support a wide range of organic and farming-oriented organizations, including the Organic Farming Research Foundation and the California Certified Organic Farmers. Fetzer is also a sponsor of the Busines for Social Responsibility Annual Conference, the Eco-Farm Conference and the Bioneers Conference.

Participated each year in the Russian River Cleanup, an event that draws hundreds of people dedicated to preserving some of the more than 100 miles of the Russian River habitat. The river passes through Fetzer and Kohn properties in Mendocino County before flowing to Sonoma County and into the Pacific Ocean.

Created the "Friends of the Oaks" organization. This group of Fetzer employees is dedicated to protecting the existing trees at the Valley Oaks Food & Wine Center in Hopland. The group has pledged itself to the preservation of and education about the valuable trees found in and around Fetzer Vineyards.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.