Sustainable Wine in Sonoma County
When planning a wine tasting trip to Sonoma County, the number of places on the map is overwhelming and can seem daunting, but looking for wineries that align with your personal ethos and commitment to conservation helps whittle down your selection. Specifically looking for wineries with sustainable certification is an efficient way to find vineyards and wineries with practices that follow the three P’s of sustainability; People, Planet, and Prosperity. Ready to hit the road to Sonoma County? Let’s go.
La Crema at Saralee Vineyard
Start your day off at an incredible facility. La Crema at Saralee Vineyard is situated in a historic barn that dates back to the early 1900s and was immaculately restored and serves as a breathtaking hospitality center. All of La Crema’s estate vineyards are SIP Certified and practice sustainable grape growing. With a variety of options for tasting activities including vineyard tours, cheese pairings, and private tastings. All of the experiences are available by appointment and feature their estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Be you an experienced wine drinker or a curious newbie, La Crema at Saralee Vineyard is a great first stop on a Sonoma wine trail experience.
Ron Rubin Winery
Nestled in the Russian River Valley in the Sebastapool area of Sonoma, Ron Rubin Winery is a sustainable winery that produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for their namesake label and a mixture of wines for their River Road label including Zinfandel, red blends, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fun fact: Ron Rubin is a beverage industry veteran and founded the Republic of Tea and the bottled teas are available at the winery. In addition to being a sustainable business, Ron Rubin’s breathtaking facility is designed using the Feng Shui philosophy allowing the facility to be in harmony with its surrounding nature. Ron Rubin tastes by appointment and is sure to provide what they call A Beautiful Experience.
Kendall- Jackson Estate and Gardens
Just down the road from Sebastapool sits the mothership of the Kendall-Jackson wine family which produces sustainable wine and was named Green Business of the Year in 2020 by the Drinks Business (UK-based publication). The grounds are a wonderland for those who delight in epicurean adventures with over four acres of a garden that as KJ explains on their website, “offer seven distinct garden spaces. Some are educational in nature; some planted solely for beauty. Still, others provide the fruit, vegetables, and herbs that inspire the Food & Wine pairings created by our Culinary Team. A veritable cornucopia of beauty and flavor, the gardens are a core component of our commitment to food and wine education.” The gardens even boast sensory areas that emulate the aromas in wines as well as sustainable gardening features like owl boxes and compost areas. For a true experience, add Kendall-Jackson to your itinerary.