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Organic Wineries Of California to Know
The world of wine is astounding and complex. There are over 2,000 grapes and over 70 winemaking countries, each with well-defined regions and styles. There’s no other drink as sophisticated as wine, and that’s thrilling! Every glass of wine is an opportunity to learn something new.
Now more than ever, we care about what we eat and drink. The times of stuffing our pantries and wine cellars with processed industrial products are long gone. Now we want healthy food that’s also good for the environment. We want organic wines.
Luckily, wine-producing regions are catching up and are now producing organic wine to please every palate. Leading the way is California. Here’s what you should know about it.
If wine is just fermented grape juice, shouldn’t it be organic and natural already? Well, not really. Growing grapes is more complicated than you think. For starters, grapevines are susceptible to insect attacks and harmful fungi, viruses and bacteria, just like us.
Now more than ever, we care about what we eat and drink. The times of stuffing our pantries and wine cellars with processed industrial products are long gone. Now we want healthy food that’s also good for the environment. We want organic wines.
Luckily, wine-producing regions are catching up and are now producing organic wine to please every palate. Leading the way is California. Here’s what you should know about it.
What is organic wine anyway?
If wine is just fermented grape juice, shouldn’t it be organic and natural already? Well, not really. Growing grapes is more complicated than you think. For starters, grapevines are susceptible to insect attacks and harmful fungi, viruses and bacteria, just like us.
Losing an entire crop to pests and fungi is just not an option, considering wineries harvest grapes only once a year. This means that the traditional way of keeping a healthy vineyard is by spraying it with all kinds of chemicals: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and chemical fertilizers.
Organic wines are just the opposite. They’re wines made from grapes grown without artificial additives. Instead, winemakers use natural fertilizers and plant-based insect repellents. It goes without saying this is a lot harder and often more expensive than just spraying the vineyards with hazardous chemicals.
Organic wines in California
California is committed to green practices, and these include protecting the soil, air and water. This is more than going organic, it’s about being sustainable, and that’s where the sunny region excels.
Water and energy efficiency, soil health, pest and waste management, protection of the wildlife habitat and working with local suppliers. It all adds up to a healthy environment that results in tasty and responsible wine.
One billion bottles of organic wine are expected to be consumed in the next few years globally, but there’s still a long way to go. Only 2.4% of California’s vineyards are certified organic.
We can shape the future.
Ultimately, it’s wine consumers who have the last word about organic grape farming, meaning we must be picky and prefer organic wines over standard products. ‘Certified Organic’ is what you want to find on a wine label, and the more we buy, the more pressure non-organic producers will feel.
To get you started, here’s a list or organic wineries in California:
- Ridge Winery
- Tablas Creek
- Calera
- Heitz
- Robert Sinskey
- Quivira Vineyards and Winery
- Chacewater Winery
- Heller Estate Vineyards
- Frey Vineyards
- Paul Dolan Vineyards
Pick with your eyes closed because these wineries craft sustainable, organic wines, yes, but they’re also delicious! Let’s all drink more organic wine and support the grape growers and winemakers that are changing the future for good, one bottle at a time.
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