Wente Family Estates ‘Farming for the Future’ Initiatives Showcase Winery’s 125-Year History of Land Stewardship

In a program initially created to celebrate Earth Day, Wente Family Estates has announced expanded “Farming for the Future” initiatives highlighting the family’s longtime commitment to sustainable winegrowing and estate management practices.

Since 1883, the Wente family has planted, grown and harvested fruit from its estate vineyards. More than 125 years of stewardship of the land led to the development of Farming for the Future, a system that creates a balanced, sustainable ecology, enhances the vitality of the soils, minimizes water use and reduces non-organic wastes. First codified by the family in the early 1990s, these practices extend throughout the organization, including the family’s three wineries, Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, Tamas Estates, as well as The Course at Wente Vineyards, The Restaurant, The Concerts, and every other aspect of the company’s operation. New and expanded initiatives include:

Sustainable Estate Walking Tours
Initially launched on Earth Day 2009, walking tours of Wente Vineyards educate guests on sustainable practices in winery and across the estate. “The new tours are a natural extension of our sustainable practices,” said Christine Wente, Fifth Generation Winegrower. “Sustainability is not a buzz word for us, it’s a passion that we want to share with our guests.”

According to the Wente Vineyards Website, over the long term — in principle and in practice — the application of sustainable agriculture in the vineyard and sustainable practices in the overall community:
* Enhances environmental quality and the resource base on which agriculture depends
* Makes the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources. It integrates, when appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls
* Is economically viable while using recognized best practices
* Enhances the quality of life for farmers, workers, and society as a whole.

There is no charge for the tours. To sign up, please call (925) 456-2400.

Native Oak Tree Project and Open Land Stewardship
Led by Fourth-Generation Winegrower Eric Wente, the Estate has undertaken a major oak lands restoration. Native acorns gathered on the estate are planted to grow seedlings, which are protected from grazing animals until established. The family manages 1,600 acres of sustainable open range land, with cattle providing grass management and soil fertilization.

Cork Recycling
All four tasting rooms are designated drop-off spots for ReCORK America a program focused on collecting and recycling used and surplus corks from wineries. Plans are also in place to extend the program to key accounts in markets across the country.

Golf Course Management
The Course at Wente Vineyards recently earned Level One Certification from Audubon International in recognition of its protection and preservation of the environment. The management is focused on habitat restoration projects and replanting of perennial native and drought tolerant plants around the golf course. All organic matter is composted, resulting in minimized waste.

The Wente family leads a dedicated team of experienced winemakers and winegrowers committed to sustainability throughout the operations at Wente Vineyards. To learn more about their sustainable practices, please visit www.wentevineyards.com. Wente Vineyards is California’s oldest family owned and continuously operated winery. Founded in 1883, the winery is now managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The winery farms nearly 3,000 acres of estate vineyards spanning many of California’s premier winegrowing regions.

Wente Vineyards also owns and operates several lifestyle businesses that bring about 300,000 visitors to Livermore Valley Wine Country each year, including:
* The Golf Course at Wente Vineyards (a Greg Norman designed course)
* The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards (Wine Spectator award winning)
* Wine Country Events Center and Catering Services
* Summer Concert Series
* Two Tasting Rooms offer private and group wine tastings

If you like what you’ve read here, why not plan ahead to participate in Wente’s June Wine & Cheese Event being held June 27th from 3:00 to 4:30 PM and learn how wine and cheese complement each other! The educational event will be held in their historic barrel room and offer five artisan cheeses paired with Wente Vineyards wines. Get more information at WenteVineyards.com.

Tags: Organic and Natural, Products, Sustainability and Responsible Use, Travel