Today is earth day, and this weekend is the big Earth Day celebration downtown at Discovery Green (earthdayhouston.org). No, they will not be serving wine at the family-friendly fest, but there are plenty of stellar earth-friendly wine selections available at local retailers for purchase all year long.
Many consumers aren’t aware they are buying earth-friendly wines because the winery chooses not to display this on the label. “It’s true that most consumers don’t specifically look for these types of wines – it appears to be more of a secondary consideration,” says Jonathan Horowitz of The Tasting Room. “However, we recognize the benefits of wines made using these techniques, so we carry a number of these products.” Horowitz also notes that his Tasting Room team in Austin reports more inquiries regarding organic and green wines than do the Houston locations.
Wineries like Tablas Creek and Ridge, both available at The Tasting Room, employ sustainable and earth-friendly practices such as solar power, water conservation and habitat protection to maintain the high quality of their land and vines and to conserve energy at their facilities.
Other companies use packaging as a means to earth-friendly status, like the attractive Octavin Artisan non-glass packaging available at Spec’s, featuring a variety of global wines in nifty easy-crush containers.
Finally, there are those high-end wineries like Franciscan Estate, where environmental responsibility is the key focus, hence the commitment to strict certification by the Napa County Department of Environmental Management – the winery even has a partnership with the Audubon Society.
“I love to walk in the vineyard at the start of the day,” says Franciscan winemaker Janet Myers, “watching the sun come up behind the neat green rows of vines with gnarled trunks.” The vineyards’ beauty goes beyond the landscape, straight to the glass. Franciscan Estate wines are available at Houston Wine Merchant.
Raise your glass to these recommended green wines available in Houston. And don’t forget to recycle!
At The Tasting Room
- Benziger Chardonnay
- Frog’s Leap Merlot
- Pommery Champagne
- Tablas Creek Vineyard Rhone varietals
- Ridge Zinfandel
At Houston Wine Merchant
- Franciscan Estate Magnificat Bordeaux blend
- Bonny Doon: Sangiovese, Vin Gris de Cigare, Le Cigare Volant
- Raptor Ridge Pinot Gris
At Spec’s
- Easy-on-Earth Packaging: Octavin Artisan non-glass packaging in gold-medal brands from Spain, Italy and California, available in a 3-liter package (equals 4 bottles of wine)
- Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé and Pinot Noir
- Cade Howell Mountain Estate Cabernet
- Ehlers Estate Cabernet and Merlot
- Laetitia Chardonnay and Pinot Noir