A Quick Guide to Going Green

by Anthony Gismondi

A QUICK GUIDE TO GOING GREEN
What does it all mean?

The "green" movement, both within the viticultural community and in the larger sense, has a vocabulary all its own. Here, Anthony Gismondi explains the meaning of some of these terms in relation to winegrowing practices.

SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING
The definition of sustainable winegrowing is a statement of philosophy. It’s not a way of life that can be legislated and enforced — at least, not yet. In California, the Institute of California Wine offers its members a chance to embrace a code of sustainable practices that employs the following tenets that perhaps best illustrates why it is more good intention than iron-clad law. Adherence to the principles has to be considered responsible, as well as admirable.

Produce the best-quality wine and/or grapes possible
Provide leadership in protecting the environment and conserving natural resources. Maintain the long-term viability of agricultural lands
Support the economic and social well-being of farm and winery employees through training and competitive compensation
Respect and communicate with neighbours and community members; respond to their concerns in a considerate manner
Enhance local communities through job creation, supporting local business and actively working on important community issues
Honour the California wine community’s entrepreneurial spirit
Support research and education as well as monitor and evaluate existing practices to expedite continual improvements

THE MEANING OF “ORGANIC”
In Canada: The Canadian Organic Growers (COG) define organic agriculture as a holistic production system designed to optimize productivity and encourage diversity in the agro-ecosystem, including soil microorganisms, plants and animals. The principal goal is to develop enterprises that are sustainable with the environment.

Canada has had a national organic standard since 1999. It details agricultural practices that are acceptable in organic agriculture production systems and lists substances that are prohibited in organic systems. Some 27 certifying bodies maintain standards across the country. Each certifying body works with trained independent inspectors who visit each certified organic farm annually to ensure compliance with the standard. The Canadian government introduced the Organic Products Regulations in 2006 and introduced the new Canadian Organic logo for certified organic products.

In the United States: Organic agriculture is formally defined as “a production system that is managed in accordance with the National Organic Production Act … to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster the cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.” The folks at Fetzer vineyards offer a kinder, gentler interpretation: "Growing organically also means an ecological "systems" approach, which is a holistic or sustainable approach to farming. Important features of a sustainable and organic approach include stewardship and conservation of natural resources, including biological diversity; use of mainly cultural and biological methods of pest management; maximizing recycling of nutrients, and regeneration of soil. Free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), radiation, pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers."

BIODYNAMICS
Biodynamics (“biological-dynamics”), the granddaddy of all organic farming, was spawned by the late Rudolf Steiner, and has grown and developed in popularity since 1922. The term biodynamic is taken from the Greek words bios meaning “life,” and dynamis, meaning “energy.” Biodynamic farming is certified in more than 50 countries by the Demeter Group using a certification system that verifies the product has been produced by biodynamic methods.