SHARP’s Sustainable Sips: Cheers to Earth Day
When speaking spirits or talking tipples, one item we’re not prone to think about is what goes into making our favourite wines and spirits. Distillation is an energy-intensive process, and the water usage and land management impacts of winemaking can certainly take their toll. That said, many makers are mindful of this, and there are ample sustainability initiatives throughout the industry to help mitigate the environmental impact of getting those beloved liquids into our homes and glasses. This Earth Day, we’re taking a quick look at how five of our favourites are taking on the challenge.
Bodega Garzón
Bodega Garzón
Bodega Garzón
Bodega Garzón
Uruguay’s Bodega Garzón is one of the better-kept secrets of the wine world these days. As the first winery outside North America to achieve LEED certification for its entire facility, Garzón incorporates energy-efficient designs throughout its facilities, from insulating green roofs to its gravity-flow winemaking processes. The winery also generates roughly 40% of its required power through windmills and photovoltaic panels, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. In the vineyards, Garzón employs organic farming practices, avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to promote soil health and biodiversity.
Flor de Cana
Flor de Cana
Flor de Cana
Flor de Cana
Flor de Cana
Flor de Cana
Flor de Caña has been leading the charge in environmentally sustainable rum production for quite some time now, and the data is promising. The distillery is Carbon Neutral certified, offsetting all carbon emissions across its entire lifecycle. It operates using 100% renewable energy, dramatically reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. During fermentation, all CO₂ emissions are captured and recycled to prevent atmospheric release. What’s more, Flor de Caña has planted over one million trees since 2005, reinforcing its commitment to reforestation and biodiversity. If you can find it, their ECO 15-year-aged rum is sold in fully recycled packaging — an interesting touch for a premium product.
Zuccardi
Zuccardi
Zuccardi
Zuccardi
Zuccardi
Zuccardi
Zuccardi Wines in Argentina’s Uco Valley also leans into organic viticulture, avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers to protect soil health and foster biodiversity. Native vegetation and cover crops are used to prevent erosion and enrich the ecosystem, and an efficient drip irrigation system is used to conserve water in the dry Mendoza climate. The winery itself is designed for energy efficiency, with natural light and thick concrete walls that regulate temperature and reduce energy use. Solar panels further minimize its carbon footprint, and waste is carefully managed through composting and water treatment systems. Every aspect of Zuccardi’s operations — from vineyard to cellar — is designed to minimize environmental impact while producing wines that express the purity of their mountain terroir.
Glendalough Distillery
Named Ireland’s ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ in 2021, Glendalough has long been striving to keep its surrounding Wicklow Mountains safe and strong. Between the use of local hand-foraging for botanicals and its small-batch slow-distillation process, the distillery strives to keep its energy consumption and environmental impact minimal. They also use recycled glass to make each Glendalough bottle, which — surprisingly — isn’t as common a practice as you would think.
Tierra Rica
Much akin to the other South American wineries listed above, Chile’s Tierra Rica shows strong commitment to sustainability in both its vineyard and production practices. To promote biodiversity, natural predators and cover crops are implemented in lieu of chemical pest control, supporting soil health and ecosystem stability. Both solar energy and rainwater capture equipment are installed on site to help with power and irrigation supply, and even its packaging is designed with minimal impact in mind, using recycled materials and lightweight glass. These eco-conscious efforts ensure that Tierra Rica produces high-quality wines while preserving natural resources, and minimizing its environmental impact across the entire winemaking process.
