Every April 22nd, Earth Day invites us to reflect on how we can do our part to care for our planet.

Few industries are more connected to nature than wine. Grapevines are sensitive indicators of climate and soil health, and their well-being depends on a balanced, thriving ecosystem. That connection means the choices made in vineyards and in the cellars directly impact the planet.

From farming practices to bottling and shipping, the wine industry has countless ways to care for the land that makes great wine possible..

Earth Day isn’t just a reminder to recycle wine bottles and boxes (though, yes, do that). It’s a chance to show how wine and environmental care can go hand in hand—and to highlight the wineries protecting the planet.

Farming with the Earth, Not Against It

Sustainability starts in the vineyard. Many wineries have eliminated synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, favoring organic and biodynamic methods that nourish the soil and encourage biodiversity. Cover crops, composting, and natural pest control help maintain healthy vines without depleting the land.

Some wineries are going all-in on regenerative agriculture, a holistic approach that focuses on restoring soil health and supporting balanced ecosystems. Techniques like cover cropping, composting, no-till farming, grazing animals, and carbon sequestration all play a role. Beyond better soil, this approach offers potential as a climate change solution.

**If I could bring what’s pictured above to you, you would be hearing the sounds of a healthy vineyard: birds chirping, bees buzzing, and grasses rustling.** Photo: @tablascreek.

Water conservation is another big deal, especially as climate change affects rainfall patterns. Smart wineries use drip irrigation, moisture sensors, and rainwater collection tools to avoid waste. Some wineries treat and reuse water from their facilities, reducing the impact on local water supplies.

Energy use is another focus. Solar panels, geothermal systems, and gravity-flow wineries are becoming more common, helping wineries shrink their carbon footprints. Many are also working to become carbon neutral—or even carbon negative—by offsetting emissions and reducing waste.

Then there’s packaging. One of my pet peeves is heavy wine bottles. Some wineries are rethinking the concept, using lighter bottles. Shipping wine around the world is carbon-intensive, so every little tweak counts.

Recyclable closures and alternative formats like boxed wine and refillable kegs are also gaining in popularity. Wineries are also thinking critically about their supply chains, reducing packaging, sourcing it locally when possible, and prioritizing partners with shared environmental values.

A Toast to a Greener Future

At the end of the day, wine is about pleasure. But it can also be about values. Choosing a bottle made with care for the Earth, for the people who farm it, and for future generations is a small act that adds up.

So this Earth Day, consider pouring something that reflects your love not just for good wine, but for a healthy planet. The Earth gives us a lot. Here’s to giving a little something back.

15 Wineries That Put the Earth First

Tablas Creek Vineyard (Paso Robles, California, USA)
A trailblazer in regenerative organic farming, Tablas Creek was the first vineyard in the U.S. to achieve Regenerative Organic Certification. Their commitment to biodiversity, soil health, and transparency sets a high standard. Bonus: they make killer Rhône-style blends.
Donum Estate (Carneros, California)
Donum pairs world-class Pinot Noir with a strong sustainability ethos. The estate is certified organic, employs biodynamic and regenerative practices, and invests in solar energy and carbon sequestration projects. Beyond wine, Donum is also home to a stunning open-air sculpture park and bee-friendly gardens, offering a holistic vision of land stewardship.
Troon Vineyard (Applegate Valley, Oregon, USA)
Certified biodynamic and regenerative, Troon is transforming its Southern Oregon estate into a full-circle farm that includes livestock, composting, and a living soil philosophy. In the cellar, you won’t find commercial yeasts, acid adjustments, or flavor manipulation—just grapes transformed by the natural microbes. The vineyards are certified Organic, Biodynamic, and Regenerative Organic, a commitment that starts in the soil and extends to the bottles, which are made from lightweight glass produced in the Pacific Northwest to reduce transportation emissions.
Cooper Mountain Vineyards (Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA)
One of Oregon’s early adopters of organic and biodynamic practices, Cooper Mountain has been ahead of the curve for decades. Family-owned, woman-led, and always transparent about their low-intervention, ecologically sound farming and winemaking.
Hermann J. Wiemer (Finger Lakes, New York)
New York State’s first Demeter-certified Biodynamic winery, Hermann J. Wiemer takes sustainability seriously by using organic practices and focusing on soil health and biodiversity in its vineyards. Natural methods keep the vines healthy and the ecosystem thriving, while a light hand in the cellar helps the unique Finger Lakes terroir shine through.
Château Maris (Minervois, France)
This carbon-negative winery is built from hemp—yes, hempcrete—and operates entirely on renewable energy. Château Maris is a certified biodynamic producer and vocal advocate for green building and farming.
Azienda Agricola COS (Sicily, Italy)
COS keeps things natural and soulful. They farm organically and ferment in clay amphorae. The wines are fresh, earthy, and full of personality—just like the land they come from.
G.D. Vajra (Piedmont, Italy)
A true steward of the land, G.D. Vajra has been farming organically since the 1970s—well before it was trendy. This Barolo winery makes elegant, expressive wines using low-intervention practices while maintaining biodiversity in the vineyard. The Vajra family uses green manure and natural cover crops, and works entirely by hand.
Domaine Huet (Loire Valley, France)
A legend among Chenin Blanc fans, Huet has been biodynamic since the '80s. They are known for their deep respect for soil and seasonal rhythms.
Champagne Telmont (Champagne, France)
With the motto “In the Name of Mother Nature,” Telmont has banned air freight, ditched gift boxes, and moved to 100% renewable electricity. As of this month, they have also added the world’s lightest Champagne bottle to their production line. At just 800 grams, the new bottle reduces carbon emissions by 4% per bottle. It’s rare to see this kind of radical transparency in Champagne.
Loimer (Kamptal, Austria)
Fred Loimer makes precise, expressive, mineral-driven wines with a soft environmental footprint. Biodynamic, clean-energy-powered, and focused on biodiversity, his vineyards are buzzing (literally!) with life.
Bodegas RODA (Rioja, Spain)
Among Rioja's more forward-thinking producers, Roda is known not just for modern, expressive wines but for its environmental vision. The winery practices dry farming (no irrigation), reduces waste through a biomass energy system, and has invested in research around drought-resistant clones to ensure the region’s long-term resilience.
Bodega Garzón (Uruguay)
The first winery in the world to earn full LEED certification, Garzón uses solar power, natural cooling, and sustainable farming on its lush, coastal estate.
Santa Julia (Mendoza, Argentina)
A project of Familia Zuccardi, Santa Julia champions certified organic farming, community engagement, and carbon-conscious winemaking. They're also a certified B Corp, blending profit with purpose.
Yalumba (Barossa Valley, Australia)
Family-owned since 1849, Yalumba has long been at the forefront of its country’s sustainable winemaking. It was the first winery in the country to be certified carbon neutral and is also certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Their efforts include solar energy, water conservation, on-site vine nurseries to reduce disease pressure naturally, and lightweight bottles to cut emissions. Yalumba even manages its own cooperage, allowing for sustainable sourcing and reuse of barrels.