April 21, 2017

Fetzer Vineyards’ Hard-Working Worms Save Energy, Regenerate Water & Win Over Fans This Earth Day

California vintner looks to nature to conserve resources, achieve sustainability goals

MENDOCINO COUNTY, April 21, 2017 – This Earth Day, sustainability pioneer Fetzer Vineyards announces completion of its revolutionary BIDA® wastewater treatment system, which relies on billions of worms to clean up the winery’s process water. The California vintner’s worms – which work in tandem with microbes to digest contaminants in greywater – are at the heart of a natural system from BioFiltro that uses 85% less energy to clean winery water, regenerating up to 17 million gallons annually for re-use in vineyards and landscaping. The new system is one of a number of Earth-friendly innovations Fetzer Vineyards has recently introduced in an effort to preserve vital resources and find ever-more-efficient ways to put planet conservation on an even playing field with premium winemaking.

To celebrate the BIDA® system’s completion, Fetzer Vineyards created a video that showcases how the worm system works. The vintner also celebrated the system’s completion at an annual employee Earth Day celebration April 20^th at its certified ZeroWaste, CarbonNeutral® winery in Hopland, California. In addition to feting the launch of the worm-powered system, Fetzer Vineyards employees enjoyed a pie baking contest and planted an employee garden, organic produce from which will nourish many of their families throughout the year. “From our worms to our winemakers, we have an incredible team that comes together to create innovative ways to make great wine while giving back to the Earth,” said Josh Prigge, Fetzer Vineyards’ Director of Regenerative Development. “Earth Day is a chance for us to

celebrate and remember what’s most important – a healthy environment and healthy communities.”

Working with Worms & Big Data to Conserve Energy, Water

Fetzer Vineyards – which crafts a portfolio of premium California wines including its flagship Fetzer collection of wines, available nationally – is the first American winery to use the BIDA® System to treat 100% of its wastewater. In January of this year, the winery announced another important sustainability milestone in the wine industry: installation of a fleet of APANA® smart water meters at its Mendocino winery, where Internet-of-Things technology and cloud computing will allow winemakers and facilities teams to spot water leaks in real time, reducing waste. Fetzer Vineyards is the first U.S. winery to install this innovative technology, using big data to save as much as 25% more water. From worms to the latest Internet-of-Things technology, this California vintner’s Earth-friendly efforts aim to be as innovative as

they are effective.

To share more about its sustainability initiatives, including how worms are an essential part of its plan to

preserve resources and be good for the Earth, Fetzer Vineyards developed a new page on its website containing facts about planet-friendly practices. Visit fetzer.com/commitment for more on Fetzer Vineyards’ regenerative practices, including its novel partnership with worms in the BIDA® treatment system, the winery’s B Corp certification and its support for conservation efforts more broadly.

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About Fetzer Vineyards

A pioneer in regenerative winemaking, Fetzer Vineyards continues its legacy of hard work, rebellious thinking and crafting wines that make a difference. Since its founding in 1968, Fetzer Vineyards has consistently developed and implemented practices that are environmentally friendly, socially

responsible and ultimately regenerative, becoming the world’s largest winery to receive B Corporation certification, in 2015. B Corp certification standards, developed by the non-profit B Lab, are widely recognized as the highest standards for social and environmental responsibility in business. Ultimately, Fetzer Vineyards strives for the perfect relationship between land, climate and vine to regenerate communities and bring wines of remarkable quality and character to the table. Fetzer.com

About the BioFiltro BIDA® System

BioFiltro’s patented BIDA® System is a passive aerobic bioreactor that catalyzes the digestive power of microbes and selected species of red earthworms to naturally remove up to 99% of contaminants from wastewater, in as little as four hours. The chemical-free system consumes significantly less electricity than traditional wastewater treatment technologies like aeration ponds, which require constant electricity to pump and circulate water. The BIDA® System works efficiently year-round in spite of seasonal fluctuations in wastewater flow like those seen in the wine industry, and generates compost- enhancing castings from worm digestion, returning nutrients to the soil. The BIDA® System is currently operating in over 130 plants worldwide and has filtered more than 27 billion gallons of sanitary and

industrial organic liquid waste. BioFiltro.com

 

Media Contact:

Courtney Cochran | Fetzer Vineyards 707.670.0268

courtney.cochran@fetzer.com

January 19, 2017

Sustainability Pioneer Fetzer Vineyards to Leverage Internet of Things and Big Data to Stay Steps Ahead of Water Waste

Winery expects to save up to 25% more water as first wine company to install APANA technology

MENDOCINO COUNTY, January 19, 2017 – Fetzer Vineyards, a leader in regenerative winegrowing, is taking another forward-looking step to conserve water with the installation of advanced water metering technology from Bellingham, Washington-based APANA, Inc. The smart water meters, currently being

installed throughout the winery’s Hopland, California campus, will allow Fetzer Vineyards to quickly pinpoint leaks and water waste incidents in real time. Powered by big data insights analyzing the winery’s unique water use profile, the technology will enable Fetzer Vineyards to avoid unnecessary waste episodes and meet its 2020 water efficiency goal two years early, in 2018.

“Integrating APANA’s data analytics and cloud computing technologies with our winery operations allows us to leverage crucial environmental data to achieve our sustainability goals,” said Cindy DeVries, Chief Operating Officer of Fetzer Vineyards. “It also allows us to update and improve our corporate water stewardship efforts at a time when conserving water is more important than ever.”

Uniting Data Flow and Water Flow

Fetzer Vineyards’ new smart water meters are part of APANA’s Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solution, a groundbreaking set of tools allowing businesses to manage water as carefully as they monitor other crucial business assets, such as inventory. The solution’s proprietary hardware and software work by building up a perpetually developing database of clients’ water use patterns, or water signature, allowing them to quickly spot variances and implement savings activities. Because energy use is closely tied to water use, Fetzer Vineyards expects the water meters could contribute to reductions of more than 10,000 kilowatt hours of energy in addition to savings of up to four million gallons of water annually.

Leveraging Tech for Solutions to Water Challenges

The World Economic Forum identified water as the top global risk for the first time in 2015, and more than two-thirds of the world’s businesses report exposure to water risk, often at the expense of growth.¹ With a global shortfall of 40% expected for water supply versus demand by the year 2030,² business as usual in an era of changing climate and growing population requires ever-more-innovative approaches to resource conservation and optimization. Cutting-edge solutions like APANA’s that leverage cloud computing and data-driven technologies are poised to help businesses address both the economic and ecological realities of tomorrow, allowing water-intensive businesses such as wineries to remain

competitive while continuing to minimize environmental impacts.

Pursuing a Comprehensive Approach to Net Positive Operations

“Fetzer Vineyards is thrilled to pioneer use of this technology in the wine industry,” said Josh Prigge, Director of Regenerative Development for Fetzer Vineyards, who was instrumental in establishing the winery’s ambitious goal to become Net Positive by 2030. “We know that implementing digital solutions can significantly reduce impacts in areas like water use, and we see technologies like APANA’s working hand-in-hand with comprehensive, efficiency-focused efforts to improve our overall water footprint.”

In 2016, Fetzer Vineyards announced it will be the first wine company in the US to install BioFiltro’s BIDA® System, a revolutionary wastewater treatment solution that functions as a passive aerobic bioreactor, using red worms and microbes to treat the winery’s wastewater 85% more efficiently than traditional aeration technologies.

Fetzer Vineyards supports water conservation advocacy efforts through collaborations with groups like the Blue Business Council and Ceres’ Connect the Drops in California, while also pursuing broader environmental advocacy initiatives such as participation in the Low Carbon USA pledge. Recently signed by hundreds of the nation’s leading businesses, Low Carbon USA encourages policymakers to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement and the domestic infrastructure required for a thriving, competitive and earth- friendly low-carbon economy. For more on Fetzer Vineyards’ sustainability efforts in these important impact areas, visit www.fetzer.com/water and www.fetzer.com/carbonneutral.

1. Source: CDP Global Water Report 2016
2. Source: World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Water Facts and Trends

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About Fetzer Vineyards

A pioneer in regenerative winemaking, Fetzer Vineyards continues its legacy of hard work, rebellious thinking and crafting wines that make a difference. Since its founding in 1968, Fetzer Vineyards has consistently developed and implemented practices that are environmentally friendly, socially responsible and ultimately regenerative, becoming the world’s largest winery to receive B Corporation certification, in 2015. B Corp certification standards, developed by the non-profit B Lab, are widely recognized as the highest standards for social and environmental responsibility in business. Ultimately, Fetzer Vineyards strives for the perfect relationship between land, climate and vine to regenerate communities and bring wines of remarkable quality and character to the table. www.fetzer.com

About APANA

APANA is a technology and services company that helps commercial and industrial businesses manage water. The APANA solution provides business with detailed insight into their total water footprint, identifying process drift, mechanical malfunctions and failure points. Real-time, automated information empowers frontline operators with data to address problems when they occur and to institutionalize best practices throughout the organization’s water processes. Companies also use APANA intelligence to

reduce compliance risk and strengthen operational sustainability. www.apana.com

 

Media Contact:

Courtney Cochran | Fetzer Vineyards 707.670.0268

courtney.cochran@fetzer.com

April 6, 2016

Fetzer Vineyards Announces Installation of Regenerative BioFiltro BIDA® Water Filtration System, Using Worms & Microbes to Treat Winery Wastewater

Leading Regenerative Business Is First American Winery to Use Innovative Water System at Scale

MENDOCINO COUNTY, April 6, 2016 – Fetzer Vineyards, a leader in regenerative winegrowing, is revolutionizing the way U.S. wineries conserve water, announcing today that it will install the BioFiltro BIDA® System at its Mendocino winery. In doing so, Fetzer Vineyards will become the first American winery to use the innovative, closed-loop biological wastewater treatment system to process 100% of its winery wastewater. Powered by billions of earthworms working rapidly in concert with beneficial microbes, the BIDA® System will begin processing Fetzer Vineyards’ wastewater during the 2016 harvest season, accruing energy savings up to 85% over current wastewater treatment technologies and optimizing water conservation measures in support of the fight against climate change.

“It’s essential that we constantly ask ourselves if there is a better, more efficient and more regenerative way to approach our business, including the way we work with water,” said Giancarlo Bianchetti, CEO of Fetzer Vineyards. “BioFiltro offers a compelling process that aligns with our business goals as well as our overarching objective to leave the world a better place than we found it.”

Implementing the BioFiltro BIDA® System

BioFiltro’s patented BIDA® System is a passive aerobic bioreactor that catalyzes the digestive power of microbes and selected species of red earthworms to naturally remove up to 99% of contaminants from Fetzer Vineyards’ wastewater, in as little as four hours. The chemical-free system consumes significantly less electricity than traditional wastewater treatment technologies like aeration ponds, which require constant electricity to pump and circulate water. The BIDA® System works efficiently year-round in spite of seasonal fluctuations in wastewater flow like those seen in the wine industry, and generates compost-enhancing castings from worm digestion, returning nutrients to the soil.

Working with Worms to Fight Climate Change

Global studies show that water scarcity and water stress are increasing, and as much as 15% to 35% of human withdrawals of water for agriculture are considered unsustainable.¹ Achievement of climate change-related commitments like those made at last year’s Paris Climate Conference (“COP21”) will require that businesses strategically manage their water footprints for maximum efficacy while mitigating negative impacts. Natural, regenerative solutions such as the BIDA® System offer a new paradigm for water treatment systems, delivering closed-loop mechanisms that efficiently process

wastewater on site and restore it to beneficial use, without significant energy output or emissions.

Innovating Towards Water Positive Operations

“Innovating to naturally manage our water footprint is an important step in our journey to become Water Positive, essential to our goal of Net Positive operations by 2030,” said Josh Prigge, Director of Regenerative Development for Fetzer Vineyards, who recently advocated for carbon-neutral winegrowing practices on a global scale at COP21. “With this new system we’ll treat some 15 million gallons of water a year, with significant efficiency gains—and bring things full-circle with enhanced compost for our soils and clean water for vineyard and landscape irrigation. It’s a win-win.”

Research shows that a majority of global consumers, and especially Millennials, support companies that are committed to minimizing environmental impacts and that prioritize sustainable approaches to operations.² To share more about its water initiatives, Fetzer Vineyards developed a new page on its website containing facts about agricultural water use and details about the company’s water policy support. Visit fetzer.com/water for more on Fetzer Vineyards’ water initiatives, including its adoption of BioFiltro’s BIDA® treatment system and its support for water conservation research and advocacy through collaborations with groups like the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) and Ceres’ Connect the Drops, both of which were commended for their water policy efforts at the White House Water Summit on Building a Sustainable Water Future in the United States on March 22, 2016.

¹ Source: UNWater.org: World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Water Facts and Trends

² Source: 2015 Nielsen Global Corporate Sustainability Report

About Fetzer Vineyards

A pioneer in regenerative winemaking, Fetzer Vineyards continues its legacy of hard work, rebellious thinking and crafting wines that make a difference. Since its founding in 1968, Fetzer Vineyards has consistently developed and implemented practices that are environmentally friendly, socially

responsible and ultimately regenerative, becoming the world’s largest winery to receive B Corporation certification, in 2015. B Corp certification standards, developed by the non-profit B Lab, are widely recognized as the highest standards for social and environmental responsibility in business. Ultimately, Fetzer Vineyards strives for the perfect relationship between land, climate and vine to regenerate communities and bring wines of remarkable quality and character to the table. Fetzer.com

About BioFiltro

BioFiltro is an international wastewater filtration company with subsidiaries operating in the United States, New Zealand, and Chile. Its patented BIDA® System catalyzes the digestive power of microbes and worms to naturally remove up to 99% of contaminants from liquid waste in 4 hours. As a chemical and sludge free system that consumes up to 95% less electricity than traditional wastewater technologies, the BIDA® System enables clients to not only significantly reduce wastewater management costs and environmental footprint, but also showcase their commitment to sustainability. The BIDA® System is currently operating in over 130 plants worldwide and has filtered more than 27 billion gallons of sanitary and industrial organic liquid waste. BioFiltro has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Thomson Reuters, and won the Global Clean Tech Open in Silicon Valley in 2011. BioFiltro.com

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Media Contact:

Courtney Cochran | Fetzer Vineyards 707.670.0268

courtney.cochran@fetzer.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 7, 2015

Fetzer Vineyards Joins World’s Leading Regenerative Wineries at COP21, Groundbreaking Climate Change Conference in Paris December 7, 2015

Leader in Regenerative Winegrowing Is Among Five Wineries Presenting Solutions for Achieving Climate-Neutral Wines

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Dec. 7, 2015 – Today Fetzer Vineyards will be among five wineries worldwide and the only US winery sharing key successes and ideas for working towards a carbon-neutral future at Caring for Climate, the official Business Forum at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (“COP21”), presented by the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (“UNFCCC”). The largest winery in the world to achieve B Corp Certification earlier this year, Fetzer Vineyards will address topics at what is expected to be the largest-ever climate change conference including zero-waste business practices, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and initiatives that will enable the Winery to achieve its goal of net-positive operations by 2030.

“Climate Action in a Bottle – Red, White or Rosé?” will be the only seminar on the topic of wine

presented at COP21’s Business Forum. Fetzer Vineyards, the first winery in the world to receive Zero Waste certification and diverting 98.5% of all waste from landfill, was invited by the United Nations to share more on its forward-thinking practices following the Winery’s achievement of B Corp status.

Nearly 700 participants are expected to attend Caring for Climate, a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and action among businesses, investors, civil society, the UN and Government officials, with the UN Secretary-General participating in key aspects of the event.

“The wine industry is uniquely positioned to tell the story of climate change, because wine grapes are dependent on specific climates and regions for the growing of quality fruit, making vineyards especially vulnerable to a warming climate,” said Giancarlo Bianchetti, CEO of Fetzer Vineyards. “In addition to measures we take in our vineyards to mitigate the effects of climate change, we aim to constantly

improve our environmental measures, from energy initiatives enabling us to be the first winery in

California to operate on 100% renewable energy, to farming measures that have made us the largest

organic winegrape grower in the U.S. certified by California Certified Organic Farmers.”

Josh Prigge, Fetzer Vineyards’ Director of Regenerative Development, will discuss ideas for measuring, reducing and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and winery operations at Caring for Climate alongside other sustainable leaders from the wine industry. Also appearing in the seminar are Valentina Lira from Concha y Toro, Jean-Guillaume Prats of Moët Chandon Estates and Wines, Alice Tourbier of Château Smith Haut Lafitte and Robert Eden of Château Maris. Niclas Svenningsen, representing the UNFCCC Secretariat, will moderate the seminar and panel discussion to follow.

“It’s an honor to be a part of this incredible program, whose topic—working towards making climate- neutral wines a reality on a global scale—underscores our ethos as a Winery, and what we’ve been

working towards since our founding in 1968,” said Prigge. “We began reporting greenhouse gas emissions to the Climate Registry in 2005 and have reduced our emissions over 50% in the years since.

I’m looking forward to sharing lessons from this initiative and others, as we all face the same challenges in moving towards climate-impact neutrality and, ultimately, net positive operations.”

Caring for Climate Business Forum is an initiative of Climate Neutral Now, UNFCCC’s vehicle for engaging all parts of society to take action to become climate neutral by measuring, reducing and offsetting their climate footprints. Caring for Climate takes place concurrently with COP21, the larger climate conference, where UN negotiations aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate for the first time since UNFCCC was founded in 1994, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.

For more information on Fetzer Vineyards’ regenerative strategy and initiatives, please visit fetzer.com/commitment. Follow the Winery @FetzerWines on Twitter and at Facebook.com/Fetzer to learn more about the latest developments in regenerative and climate-neutral winegrowing.

About Fetzer Vineyards

A pioneer in regenerative winemaking, Fetzer Vineyards continues its legacy of hard work, rebellious thinking and crafting wines that make a difference. Since its founding in 1968, Fetzer Vineyards has consistently developed and implemented practices that are environmentally friendly, socially responsible and ultimately regenerative, becoming the world’s largest winery to receive B Corporation certification, in 2015. B Corp certification standards, developed by the non-profit B Lab, are widely recognized as the highest standards for social and environmental responsibility in business. Fetzer Vineyards strives for the perfect relationship between land, climate and vine to regenerate communities and bring wines of remarkable quality and character to the table.

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Media Contact:

Courtney Cochran | Fetzer Vineyards 707.670.0268

courtney.cochran@fetzer.com