Sustainability

Over 40 years of innovation includes research dedicated to water and pest management, planting systems, mechanization, trellising and training systems, cover crops, pruning and cold hardiness. The research trials have taken place on our own or our growers’ estates and, often, in cooperation with Washington State University.

Conservation in our Wineries

Our technical leadership in finding sustainable solutions to all facets of the winemaking process is a vital component of our success, and a crucial responsibility to our community. We understand that the environmental impact of our business extends beyond our facilities, and continually work to close the loop on our product lifecycle, from composting and waste water management to post consumer disposal of our products.

Water & Biodiversity

While water is necessary for production, we work to reduce water usage in our wineries, develop ways to treat or reuse water used, and to take positive steps in partnership with others to conserve water in our communities while protecting biodiversity. From irrigating estate vineyards to treating wastewater at our manufacturing facilities, we have a long history of innovation that allows us to be more efficient with the water resources we consume.

Examples include:

• Conservation of hot water and increased efficiency of tank heating systems
• Re-use of winery gray water
• Use of water-conserving nozzles on cellar hoses
• Implementation of enhanced heat exchangers which reduce water needs in the fermentation cellars
• Employee education on water conservation during performance of job duties
• Maintenance of water-efficient landscaping on winery grounds

Recycling & Packaging

We actively seek ways to reduce the material resources needed to meet our packaging needs while maintaining product quality. By changing the way we package our products, we consume fewer resources, reduce emissions and generate cost savings.

Examples include:

• Expanded use of EcoBottle packaging, requiring less glass to make our wine bottles
• Bag in box, cans, and lightweight bottle options
• EnviroStars certification for Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Woodinville facility—a King County, WA program that certifies businesses for their efforts in preventing pollution and reducing hazardous waste
• Recycling of glass, paper, cardboard, pallets, cork, aluminum, cell phones, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs
• Production of select marketing and packaging materials using recycled paper and, in some cases, vegetable-based inks. Preference is also given to local and regional vendors to reduce transportation needs, and thus, our ecological footprint

Sustainability in our Vineyards

When the primary source of your business originates from the natural world, it is imperative to maintain that source in the most sustainable way possible. Whether through sharing best practices with our network of growers or providing grants in conjunction with Washington State University, sustainable farming enhances our business and the reputation and longevity the of Washington State wine industry.

We are committed to developing, practicing and sharing sustainable viticulture across all 2,100 acres of Ste. Michelle estate vineyards. All of which are farmed and certified 100% sustainable with the local Sustainable WA certification.

Pest Management

Ste. Michelle’s vineyard operations use a number of integrated pest management techniques to minimize damage from pests that are harmful to grapevines.

These techniques include:

• using cover crops specifically designed to attract certain insects, creating an environment in which “beneficial bugs” (bugs that feed on harmful bugs and fungi) can thrive;
• maintaining and expanding the registered virus-free mother block of disease-resistant wine grape vines; and
• increasing the use of environmentally friendly pest control agents as well as company reliance on materials such as biodegradable soaps, oils and plant extracts.

Soil & Plant Management

Ste. Michelle mitigates soil erosion through the use of green covers of beneficial native grasses and cereal grains that also provide habitat for insects that are beneficial to its vineyards. Vineyard managers take a site-specific approach, and match cover crop types and soil mixtures to the needs and characteristics of each vineyard block.

Water Conservation

Drip irrigation, which became prevalent in the 1970s, has had a dramatic effect on grape and wine quality, while minimizing water loss by delivering water to the plant’s roots (as compared to overhead systems that water the entire vineyard). All of Ste. Michelle’s vineyard operations, as well as more than 95 percent of the company’s contract growers, employ drip irrigation and enhance their effectiveness through the use of weather stations and soil moisture-measuring probes that monitor water use and eliminate wasted water in the vineyards.

Protecting Biodiversity

Erosion and runoff from hillside vineyards can deposit silt in streams, reducing the ability of salmon, native to the Pacific Northwest, to spawn and thrive. An independent Salmon-Safe program helps vineyards protect and restore salmon habitat by planting trees beside streams, growing cover crops that control run-off and applying natural methods to control weeds and pests. All of Ste. Michelle estate vineyards in Washington are certified Salmon-Safe in tandem with the Sustainable WA certification and meet the program’s rigorous standards.

Sustainable WA Certification

All 2,100 acres of Ste. Michelle estate vineyards are farmed and certified 100% sustainable with the local Sustainable WA certification.

The Sustainable WA certification is Washington’s statewide sustainability program, tailored specifically for the region’s vineyards. Its pillars include: natural resource conservation, watershed protection, soil health, low-input farming, employee and community stewardship and climate resiliency. All of which ensure we are doing everything we can to improve soil health, minimize chemical inputs, and provide a space for the ecosystem to thrive.

Industry and Community Leadership

In addition to working to reduce the environmental impact of our wineries and vineyards, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates uses its leadership role in the wine industry and local communities to expand awareness and environmental education through a variety of practices.

VineWise Self-Assessment Tool

Ste. Michelle has taken a leading role in engaging with other wine grape growers in Washington State, to set standards for sustainability and to protect the region’s reputation for high-quality wines and environmentally responsible production practices. In 2007, Ste. Michelle spearheaded the creation of VineWise, in conjunction with the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers. VineWise provides wineries with information and tools to help evaluate business practices and implement sustainable management strategies.

Today, we have taken this voluntary tool a step further by integrating VineWise self-assessment into our grower relationships. The majority of the assessment areas are already included in long-term contracts—the contracts plus routine on-site visits by our team mean that we are constantly reviewing and improving grower practices.

Self-assessment topics include:

• Business Plans
• Chemical Management
• Contracts
• Crop Insurance
• Human Resources
• Lending
• Marketing Plans
• Pest Management
• Soil Management
• Vineyard Site Selection
• Viticulture
• Canopy and Crop Management
• Harvest
• Vineyard Productivity
• Water Management
• Whole Farm Ecosystem