Fetzer: Celebrating 25 years of green winery practices

By GTG Staff at Green Traveler Guides

To celebrate a quarter-century of earth-friendly winemaking practices, Fetzer Vineyards is releasing a limited edition Earth Day chardonnay featuring a new label designed by a local artist. And the Hopland, California, winery is also donating $10 thousand to Leave No Trace, a non-profit that promotes the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors.

Fetzer’s 2010 chardonnay will be released in the commemorative bottle, in limited quantities, beginning in April. The Earth Day label features artwork by Mendocino‘s Anne Kessler, known for her impressionist interpretations of California landscapes.

Fetzer’s pioneering sustainability practices date to 1986. Since the beginning of these efforts, Fetzer has focused on energy conservation and carbon emission reduction, natural pest control in its own vineyards, waste reduction, water conservation and recycled materials packaging. The winery was the first to power operations by purchasing and using only renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind and geothermal, including one of the wine industry’s largest solar installations. Landfill waste has been reduced by 96% since 1990, even as the wine’s popularity doubled production. Fetzer’s wine bottles are made from 35% recycled glass.

Last year Fetzer was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with its Best of the Best Ozone Protection Award.