Putting The Terror in Terroir
Smoke Taint, Wildfires, Warmer Temperatures and Other Things That Go Bump In The Night
At this point, any winemaker in the world could tell you about how their business has been touched by climate unpredictability and environmental stressors — from warmer temperatures to wildfires to the much-dreaded smoke taint, meteorological upheaval is having both direct and indirect impacts in the world of wine. Some historically cooler regions are enjoying riper berries as temperatures climb, while heat waves have been ruinous to harvests in others. In an industry that is steeped in tradition and heritage, from growing techniques and production methods to the grapevines themselves, these shifts from the expected means unforeseeable outcomes and downright frightening decisions that have to be made — just ask the California growers in 2020 who had to make the tough decision to leave upwards of 8% of their yield to rot on the vine.
Winery Sustainability: Leading the Charge in a Changing World
Sustainability is a key focus for wineries striving to thrive in a world impacted by climate change. With unpredictable weather patterns, wildfires and the ever-present threat of smoke taint, the wine industry is feeling the heat—literally. In fact, many winemakers are discovering that embracing sustainability isn’t just good for the planet; it’s essential for preserving the future of winemaking. So, what does winery sustainability really mean, and how can software solutions and sustainability metrics help wineries?
Why Winery Sustainability Matters
The flavor of wine is inexorably tied to the environs and the conditions in which the grapes are grown. Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, says,
“That’s the heartbeat of wine — it’s connected to its place.”
The concern is no longer whether or not changes in the environment have an effect on the defining flavors of vintages but to what extent, for how long, and what the heck can we do about it. All the old standby knowledge about how to grow, when to harvest and the best ways to ferment has been blown by the wayside. Unpredictability is now just about the only thing winemakers can take for granted.
The upside of this revelation is that it is (sometimes quite literally) lighting a fire under winemakers and researchers to innovate. The race is on to find ways to preserve precious grape varietals and beloved vintages and harness these new challenges in unexpected ways.
The wine industry is uniquely vulnerable to climate shifts. Whether warming temperatures ripen grapes sooner or severe droughts threaten vineyards, these changes redefine how wine is made. Wineries steeped in tradition are being pushed to innovate as they confront these new challenges.
But sustainability goes beyond the vineyard.
This emerging state of meteorological affairs also means that ideas like sustainability and greener production methods are top of mind across the whole of the wine industry. Green certifications are more than just a feather in the proverbial cap. But for wine businesses racing to catch up, what does sustainability really mean? And what is the ultimate goal that winemakers should be aiming for?
“While sustainability has become common-place in the wine industry, the term is often misused and rarely fully understood.” — Ines Salpico, Decanter
Winery Sustainability
This is a broad term that, at its heart, is all about doing more with less while reducing the overall impact of an individual, company, process or what have you on the earth. One can think of it as a philosophical approach that is an aspect of most green production efforts. But it goes beyond just the scope of the wine production itself — sustainability initiatives often extend into the entire value chain, including packaging, shipping, distribution and corporate values.
While winemaking is far from the worst offender regarding environmental impact, the wine industry is uniquely and singularly vulnerable to the effects of atmospheric changes. From a zoomed-out perspective – and taking social consciousness into account – it is also a labor-intensive industry with a high human cost in terms of time, sweat and numbers.
The ultimate goal is carbon neutrality — sustainable farming and production practices alongside energy use reduction, recyclable or reusable material utilization, and other green initiatives across the board. Certification (and the regulations that guide it) can vary greatly from state to state and country to country. Several organizations provide guidelines for developing sustainability strategies, cooperatives and collabs like The International Wineries for Climate Change that winemakers and companies can join to support their efforts.
Key Winery Sustainability Metrics to Watch
Tracking sustainability in the wine industry requires focusing on specific metrics that can provide real insight into environmental impact. Here are some key areas where wineries are measuring their sustainability efforts:
- Water Usage: Vineyards are notorious for being water-intensive, but tracking and reducing water consumption is crucial for sustainability.
- Carbon Footprint: Measuring CO2 emissions throughout the production and distribution processes helps wineries aim for carbon neutrality.
- Energy Consumption: Whether it’s electricity used in production or fuel for transporting wine, energy efficiency is a major focus for wineries committed to sustainability.
- Waste Management and Recycling: Reducing waste and increasing recycling efforts—both in the vineyard and during production—can have a significant environmental impact.
- Packaging: Wineries are increasingly using sustainable packaging, such as lighter bottles and biodegradable materials, to reduce their environmental footprint.
By focusing on these winery sustainability metrics, wineries can reduce their environmental impact and gain the trust of eco-conscious consumers.
Organic CERTIFICATION
Organic certification is government-regulated in the United States. The qualifications speak to production standards that aim at minimizing the impact on the environment. These are set in legal stones that vary across borders — which also means that if your product is distributed internationally, it may or may not be able to have the “organic” label in all instances. Here are a few of the guidelines that are relatively consistent from nation to nation:
- Zero chemical pesticides, herbicides, insecticides or fertilizers. Full stop.
- Permitted use of natural fertilizers and some natural pesticides
- Absolutely no GMO yeasts
- Proof of at least three years of organic practices
This is just a short example list; winemakers will want to plan their production thoroughly. If organic certification is the goal, they must play the long game.
Biodynamics
Though it has a new age kind of ring to it, biodynamics in a collection of agricultural ideals built on concepts developed in 1924 by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). Farmers at the time were observing a deterioration of their soil conditions and subsequent ill effects on the quality of crops and livestock. While some controversy surrounds the philosophical aspects to Steiner’s work (owing to his adherence to German nationalism, among other things), most agriculturalists tend to agree with the underlying scientific soundness of the theories and advocation for environmental stewardship.
At its heart, biodynamic growing methods focus on self-sufficiency of farms as “cohesive, interconnected living systems.” Grape growers using these methods tout improvements in several areas of their overall vineyard health — pest, weed and disease management, biodiversity, soil fertility, etc. See image, right, an example of a Biodynamic Calendar created by Maria Thun, author of The Biodynamic Almanac.
How Winery Software is Tracking Sustainability Efforts
Sustainability software is proving to be a game-changer for wineries looking to improve their environmental impact. Wineries can integrate sustainability metrics directly into their winery software, allowing them to measure and track key performance indicators (KPIs) like water and energy consumption, waste management, and recycling rates.
These software solutions, such as the Sustainability Center, offer preset sustainability metrics that wineries can customize to meet their needs. From monitoring a vineyard’s carbon footprint to tracking wastewater output, the software provides the flexibility to measure, report, and act on critical data. This lets wineries focus on what matters most while simplifying the certifications and consumer communicationsreporting process.
One of the most exciting things about sustainability software is how easily it integrates into existing winery systems. With minimal setup, wineries can start tracking their progress immediately, making setting and achieving sustainability goals easier.
Moving Toward a Sustainable Future: The Role of Technology
The future of wine depends on how well the industry can adapt to environmental challenges. The industry is better equipped to face the future with tools like the Sustainability Center and a renewed focus on winery sustainability metrics. By leveraging technology, wineries can monitor their sustainability efforts, make data-driven decisions and engage eco-conscious consumers who want to support brands that share their values.
Whether reducing water usage, lowering CO2 emissions or embracing sustainable packaging, every step counts. As wineries continue to innovate and adopt new technologies, they’re proving that it’s possible to create great wine while caring for the planet.
Interested in learning more about sustainability strategies for the wine industry? Contact us to discuss a sustainability solution for your winery. We’ll schedule a call with one of our wine industry specialists, who can advise you on successfully launching and tracking your sustainability efforts.
