Quails’ Gate Estate Winery is thrilled to announce our recent certification by Sustainable Winegrowing B.C.(SWBC), which recognizes our commitment to environmental responsibility and our dedication to farming sustainably.
As a family-owned business that spans three generations and more than a century of farming in the Okanagan Valley, we have a long-standing tradition of using low-impact viticulture practices with a philosophy to do more with less, employing a holistic ecosystem management approach to grapegrowing.
“Environmental stewardship has always been one of the foundational pillars at Quails’ Gate. Our dedication to sustainability means we consistently apply best practices and ensure prudent use of resources. We feel a personal responsibility to protect this land for future generations to enjoy,” Tony Stewart, Proprietor & CEO, Quails’ Gate Estate Winery.
As proud members of SWBC’s program to pioneer sustainability certification in British Columbia, we are honoured to be recognized alongside grapegrowers and wineries across the province who are dedicated to making wine production sustainable now and for the future. The SWBC certification acknowledges that we are doing everything we can to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment and ensure we are providing not only a quality product, but an environmentally responsible one as well.
“The SWBC certification holds us accountable on many levels when it comes to precision viticulture and really sets us up for success in the vineyard by providing us with the tools to review and assess our practices regularly to find opportunities for continued improvements and innovative approaches to farming responsibly,” Ed Tonner, Senior Viticulturalist, Quails’ Gate Estate Winery.
Some of the ways in which we farm sustainably include:
- Drip irrigation conserves water ensuring the appropriate amount of water is used throughout the year
- Use of organic fertilizers and nutrients derived from our composting program
- Increased equipment efficiencies help minimize our environmental footprint
- Setting up natural filtration throughout the vineyard to reduce runoff
Our commitment to sustainability extends past our vineyards into other areas of our business. Our composting program in the winery, restaurant and offices diverts more than150 pickup truckloads of yard waste to our compost pile annually. Biodegradable plastic bags, eco-friendly paper bags and reusable cloth bags are used in our Wine Shop. All lighting in our offices and on the property is motion-activated, while supplemental outdoor lights and water features are timed to only come on when needed.
