While there are many enjoyable ways to celebrate Earth Day, which is today, several area restaurants have thought of one that really gets us excited- eco-friendly wines! These small-batch, Earth-friendly wines are produced using sustainable practices like solar energy, recycled water, and hand trellised vines.
Coppa Ristorante is a favorite of Houston wine lovers, and they offer several wines from eco-friendly wineries Alexander Valley, Arboreus, and Santa Chiara. The Tasting Room carries Chateau Montelena, a Napa Green Certified Land producer, and wines from Shafer, a Napa winery that is 100% solar powered, uses recycled water, and encourages owls and other wildlife to populate the area to help control insect activity. Shafer Chardonnay is also available at Ciao Bello, alongside Frog’s Leap Cabernet. Frog’s Leap is considered one of the top eco-friendly wineries in the world. Ciao Bello proudly pours Firestone Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, a product of sustainable winery Foley Family Wines.
Singer Dave Matthews recently released new vintages of his Dreaming Tree Wines, a collection of California wines offered at inexpensive price points. The packaging is geared toward reducing the brand’s eco footprint, with recycled kraft paper labels and glass bottles that are four ounces lighter to reduce fuel needed for shipping. Ruggle’s Green offers Dreaming Tree Wines, as do Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Doubletree Hotels.
If organic food and wine is a priority for you, be sure to pick up a few bottles of Concannon Vineyards wines on your next trip to the supermarket. The certified organic wines are available at Walmart and Kroger for budget prices. Kendall Jackson wines are ubiquitous but you might be surprised to hear that they are produced using many sustainable programs. Spec’s offers lots of sustainable wines, including Fish Eye and Big House wines sold in non-glass, recyclable packaging that holds the equivalent of three bottles. Black Box wines are another popular option, with each package holding the equivalent of four glass bottles. The wine stays good for four weeks after opening and has won many awards from Wine Enthusiast and other competitions. This is not the kind of boxed wine you consumed in college!
Midtown wine bar 13 Celcius serves many so-called “natural wines,” produced from grapes grown with an absolute minimum of human manipulation. Grapes are grown organically and fermented in an unforced manner, with no artificial additions and nothing natural taken away. Co-owner Mike Sammons believes the wines taste better when they are produced “with clarity, the way they were intended to be.” 13 Celsius carries wines by French biodynamic wine pioneer Nicolas Joly, as well as Josko Gravner, an Italian producer of natural wines.
With no shortage of options, both at stores and to enjoy during a night out, don’t miss the chance to raise a glass of eco-friendly wine this Earth Day!