Grapes
Quail’s Gate Estate Winery says it has just been certified by Sustainable Winegrowing BC.
The certification from SWBC sets a high bar for environmentally sustainable practices, and recognizes a deep commitment to farming sustainably.
“Environmental stewardship has always been one of the foundational pillars at Quails’ Gate, said Quail’s Gate owner and CEO Tony Stewart. “Our dedication to sustainability means we consistently apply best practices and ensure prudent use of resources. We feel a personal responsibility to protect this land for future generations to enjoy.”
Stewart says the family-owned business spans three generations over more than a century of farming in the Okanagan Valley. While the certification is new, he says the winery has a long tradition of using low-impact viticulture practices.
The winery’s senior viticulturalist, Ed Tonner, adds that the certification does set the bar for how Quail’s Gate works on an ongoing basis.
“The SWBC certification holds us accountable on many levels when it comes to precision viticulture,” Tonner explains. “The SWBC program is a goal-driven standard that provides tools to assess our practices regularly to find opportunities for continued improvements and innovative approaches to farming responsibly.”
Tonner and Stewart say there are several ways the winery farms sustainably, including:
• Drip irrigation to conserve water, ensuring the appropriate amount of water is used throughout the year
• Use of organic fertilizers and nutrients derived from the winery’s composting program
• Increased equipment efficiencies help minimize the environmental footprint
• Setting up natural filtration throughout the vineyard to reduce runoff
“Our commitment to sustainability extends past our vineyards into other areas of our business,” Stewart says.
For example, a composting program diverts 150 pickup truck loads of yard waste to compost, the winery uses biodegradable plastic bags, paper bags and reusable bags in the wine shop, and even the lighting and water features turn on only when needed.
