Sustainable vineyard terms

Eco Wedding Recycled Paper Bouquet

The paper rose bouquet is made from recycled pages of old books. Obviously if you’re planning a literary themed wedding, this is perfect, but it’s also great if you’re looking to reduce your real flower footprint, or if eco-flowers aren’t readily available where you live.

A beautiful vineyard can be a wonderful honeymoon destination or even an excellent venue for your wedding. If you’re planning a green wedding, you’re in luck, because sustainable vineyards abound, making it within easy reach to plan either a honeymoon or wedding at a vineyard.

eco vineyard, eco wine, green winery, organic vineyard, organic wine, sustainable vineyard, sustainable wine, vineyard tours

Before looking at vineyard locations, it might help you out to see some common terms associated with eco-vineyards.

Vineyard: This is a catch-all term that describes a plantation of grapevines used to make wine. Many vineyards are used not only for wine but for producing table grapes, raisins and non-alcoholic grape juices and more as well. Many vineyards consist of much more than just grape-growing land. Often vineyards feature orchards, gardens, lodging, restaurants, event structures and more attractions.

Viticulture: This is the actual science, practice and study of vineyard production and farming.

Honestly, most vineyards are amazing to visit and unique in their own way, but they are not all sustainable. Look for the terms below if you want a green wedding.

Organic vineyards: Organic wines, made at organic vineyards, are made without synthetic or toxic pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides and the wines won’t have added sulfites. Organic wine in general can be grown and made on a non-organic vineyard, but part of the land must be separated from the regular vineyard and used only for organics.

Vegan wines: Vegan wines are made with no animal derived products (which are sometimes used in the last processes of wine making).

Biodynamic vineyards: These vineyards employ a holistic approach to wine making. While they’re not technically organic they do safer wine making, as well as ethical farming and place importance on soil choices, compost, and other issues that may naturally enhance and regulate plant (or in this case vine) growth. This is a tricky term – learn more about biodynamics.

Salmon safe vineyards: These are a big deal where I live in the Pacific Northwest. These vineyards protect and restore salmon habitats. They grow cover crops to control run-off, use natural or organic methods to control pests and weeds, and plant trees on streams.