4 Sustainably-Focused Wineries You Must Visit (or Try) Next Year

I am going to be honest with you, it is a personal goal of mine to convince more people (or at the very least educate more people) about the importance of embracing and celebrating the beauty and benefits of sustainably-focused vineyards that produce elegant, high-quality wines. The charm of sipping a glass of wine takes on new dimensions when you know it was crafted with care for the environment, community, and future generations.

I may annoy some when I write or speak about the excitement around low-intervention wines because I am an advocate for those winemakers and vineyards who put an emphasis on quality over quantity, celebrate the agricultural art of winemaking, and seek to farm with biodynamic practices when possible.

I have included some links below for those who want to dive deeper into terminology and further explore the difference between organic v. natural v. biodynamic wines and what "low-intervention" means.

I often post on The Everyday Maximalist Instagram about wines I am enjoying lately if you want to follow along!

Quick sources to help educate on terms and farming practices:

• Organic v natural wines

• Vegan, biodynamic, and sustainable wines

• Organic v. biodynamic v. natural wines

• An Overview on Sustainability in the Wine Production Chain (helpful academic journal article)

Agriculture & Wine, A Love Story

Wine has been a symbol of elegance, celebration, and culture for centuries. Beyond its obvious allure, however, lies a world of agricultural practices that can significantly impact our environment and health. As the global movement towards sustainability (hopefully) continues to gain momentum, wine enthusiasts and tourists alike are finding themselves drawn to vineyards and wineries that embrace organic, biodynamic, or natural practices.

But harvesting grapes in a low-intervention way or producing natural wines is not a new phenomenon. Some argue that it was when the world (looking at you U.S.) started to demand bolder wines in larger consumption (i.e. wanting big wines with added sugar, acidity, tannis, or flavors) that some wineries and vineyards started to change their traditional practices to meet the demand of the consumer. This is certainly not to say that all big brands take steps to manipulate their wines, but you should check to see how your wine was farmed if that interests you. To learn more about this, I encourage you to read Adventures on the Wine Route by Kermit Lynch - best book I have read on wine!

Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to visit some of the world's best sustainably-focused or biodynamic vineyards. The list below is not necessarily my "top 5 choices" (that would be way too difficult to choose!), but I do encourage you to visit these wineries or taste the wines from these vineyards if you are passionate about consuming top-notch wine.

Don't worry, I have many more wineries to recommend and share with you beyond these 5 (like our visits in South Africa, Sonoma, Italy, and Willamette Valley)!

DaVero | Sonoma, CA

Where it is: Healdsburg, California

Why you should visit: One of the most compelling reasons to explore sustainably-focused vineyards like DeVero is their commitment to preserving ecosystems and fostering biodiversity. These practices not only safeguard local wildlife but also contribute to the long-term health of the soil, creating a thriving environment for grapes to grow. DeVero goes above and beyond to show that they believe in their motto "grow what belongs here and be patient". You can book a tour to witness their regenerative agricultural practices before you delight in their wine tasting and food pairing. Bonus - try their estate produced olive oil, yum!

Check it out: DaVero's website

Johan | Willamette, OR

Where it is: Van Duzer Corridor AVA/Willamette Valley, Oregon Why you should visit: Conventional vineyard practices can involve the heavy use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides, which can harm not only the vines but also the surrounding environment. In contrast, organic and biodynamic vineyards prioritize natural methods to control pests and encourage a healthier ecosystem. These practices not only safeguard local wildlife but also contribute to the long-term health of the soil, creating a thriving environment for grapes to grow. The great people at Johan practice this in each bottle produced. Lucky for us, we visited in October so we were able to witness the harvest and visit with the harvest team. This vineyard also partners with Chinese artist Yong Hong Zhong to make their creative wine labels, and you can even buy the original art from him. It was great to visit Johan because they take organic farming many steps further and use biodynamic practices that view the vineyard and surrounding land as a holistic, interconnected system, where everything from planting to harvesting is influenced by lunar cycles and cosmic forces. This meticulous approach is believed to yield grapes with enhanced flavors and nutritional content, which translates to wines that are not only delicious but could be potentially better for our bodies.

Check it out: Johan Vineyards

Nostra Vita | Montalcino, Italy

Where it is: Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, Italy Why you should visit: This will be difficult to sum up in a paragraph, but let's just say that this wine experience was one of the best days of my life. Driving through Montalcino, up the winding dirt roads of the hills to the west of Pienza was quite the dramatic entrance to this winemaker's home. Nostra Vita is owned by the Parisi family and is named after the property that Annibale Parisi and his wife Elena acquired in 1970 - Nostra Vita meaning "Our Life". Every single label is painted by hand: involving a personal rendering of the Nostra Vita logo for each bottle. We took many home to savor this special day of touring his biodynamic vineyards, seeing his art studio, walking through his garden. It was truly so intimate and felt like time stopped on the top of his family's hill, overlooking the rolling vineyards of neighboring vineyards. We got to spend the whole afternoon with Annibale and Elena, trying some of his favorite vintages. Nothing at Nostra Vita is a result of mass production. Every passage from the vineyard to the bottle is personally and lovingly taken care of. I will be writing plenty of blog posts about my Tuscany trips, so more to come!...

Check it out: Nostra Vita

Quivira | Sonoma, CA

Where it is: Healdsburg, California Why you should visit: Many wine aficionados are often on the quest for exceptional taste experiences that reflect the unique character of a region, known as terroir. Sustainably-focused vineyards excel in capturing this essence. By avoiding chemical interventions and nurturing the soil's natural fertility, these vineyards allow the grapes to develop their distinctive flavors, resulting in wines that truly speak of their origin. The attention to detail in organic and biodynamic practices adds layers of complexity to the final product, creating a richer sensory experience for the discerning palate. Quivira is a master of this craft. This jaw-dropping estate boasts a large, organic garden designed to educate visitors about local produce and biodiversity. Visiting Quivira was a wonderful day for the soul as you sip their organic wines and walk along their gardens (and visit the chickens!).

Check it out: Quivira Vineyards

As climate change becomes an increasingly urgent global concern, the role of agriculture in contributing to or mitigating this crisis cannot be ignored. Sustainable vineyards play a part in mitigating climate change by adopting practices that minimize their carbon footprint. Cover crops, composting, and reduced chemical usage are just a few examples of how these vineyards are actively working to combat environmental degradation and promote climate resilience. So when you go to grab your next bottle of wine, consider that choosing a sustainably produced wine is helping the global ecosystem.

Visiting vineyards offers an opportunity to witness the harmony between nature and winemaking firsthand, and choosing organic, biodynamic, or naturally harvested wines allows us to savor the flavors of the Earth in its purest form.

So, whether you're a dedicated wine lover or a curious tourist, consider embarking on a journey to explore these conscientious vineyards and taste the difference for yourself.

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Travel far, sip deeply, and live purposefully,

Cassie Ann