October 19, 2020

Fetzer Vineyards Declares Climate Emergency, Commits to Climate Positive Operations by 2030

Leading U.S. winery announces plans to pursue aggressive science‐based targets to transform business, committing to urgent action to keep global temperature rise below 1.5⁰ Celsius

Mendocino County, Calif., October 19, 2020 – Fetzer Vineyards today announced it has signed a climate emergency declaration letter that recognizes the need to take definitive climate action now “to avoid irreversible changes to the planet and its inhabitants arising from the climate crisis.” In signing the declaration, Fetzer Vineyards agrees to accountable measurements tied to science‐based targets aimed at limiting global average temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, and to becoming climate positive in its business operations by 2030. This declaration is in line with the California vintner’s long‐standing commitment to climate‐smart winegrowing, and ushers in a new era of planet action tied to measurable global needs in the face of the existential threat created by a rapidly warming planet.

“We have a moral responsibility as a business to take swift action on the climate crisis,” said CEO Giancarlo Bianchetti of Fetzer Vineyards, the world’s largest winery certified as a B Corporation and the recipient of a United Nations Momentum for Change award for climate action. “As the historic source of a significant amount of the planet’s greenhouse gases, the business sector has a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the context of the climate crisis by eliminating emissions and drawing down carbon as rapidly as possible. This declaration reaffirms our commitment to doing so.”

Fetzer Vineyards’ commitment to achieving climate positive operations by 2030 means the winery plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout all scopes of its business, including transportation and product end‐of‐life, while increasing carbon drawdown through enhanced regenerative agriculture programs. This three‐step process of reducing emissions, insetting carbon, and offsetting any remaining unavoidable emissions will allow the business to become as carbon‐efficient as possible, then go further by sequestering more carbon than it is emitting. The winery commits to reporting regularly and transparently on its progress toward climate positive operations, with milestones tied to science‐based

targets and in line with the tenets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs are a global standard and the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, addressing global challenges faced around the world including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. In keeping with the spirit of the SDGs, Fetzer Vineyards’ commitment to achieving climate positive business operations will require ensuring that initiatives provide for a “just transition” that takes into account the welfare of people and communities implicated by the climate crisis.

In declaring a climate emergency, Fetzer Vineyards, which has long focused on regenerative agriculture and climate‐smart business practices aimed at reducing overall environmental impact, signals a refocusing of its efforts toward even more ambitious, transformational initiatives to address the catastrophic nature of the climate crisis. The winery will pair this operational transformation with ongoing climate policy advocacy work and collaborative initiatives within the wine industry, with the goal to ignite collective action and avoid the life‐altering challenges the world will face if we fail to act.

FETZER VINEYARDS CLIMATE EMERGENCY DECLARATION

Fetzer Vineyards was founded at a time when there was little to no expectation of the role of business in taking climate action. This context has irrefutably changed, with the likes of escalating catastrophic wildfires and droughts, soil degradation and desertification, famine and climate refugee phenomena dire warnings of what is to come if we do not respond.

Today, it is abundantly clear there is a climate emergency directly threatening all life on Earth, requiring immediate and radical action by our business and society if we are to avoid a rise in average global temperatures beyond 1.50 Celsius—after which there will be no coming back.

As the historic source of the majority of the planet’s greenhouse gases, the business sector today has a responsibility to eliminate emissions and draw down carbon as rapidly as possible.

Based on this reality and the facts we know today, we believe it would be irresponsible to continue as though there is not a climate emergency. For these reasons, we affirm that our business, along with all sectors and all levels of society, must take action now to avoid irreversible changes to the planet and its inhabitants arising from the climate crisis.

This declaration requires that we rethink how we measure business success in the context of a climate emergency. This includes a commitment to becoming carbon positive by 2030. We will do so by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions throughout all scopes of our business in line with science‐based targets while increasing our carbon drawdown through regenerative agriculture. We commit to being accountable for these essential activities along the way and transparently reporting on our progress.

Further, we commit that this declaration and associated initiatives will embrace the principles of a “just transition” that takes into account the human impact of the climate crisis, which is already disproportionately driving displacement and negative health outcomes for disadvantaged groups.

Ultimately, we must seek to maximize the interests of all stakeholders—shareholders, employees, suppliers, customers, and communities—in the context of a total commitment to doing what is required by the climate emergency. Working together and with this essential objective in mind, we can succeed.

– Giancarlo Bianchetti, CEO, Fetzer Vineyards

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About Fetzer Vineyards

Fetzer Vineyards is the world’s largest winery certified as a B Corporation and the recipient of a United Nations Momentum for Change award for global leadership in climate‐smart winegrowing. A wine industry leader in using business as a force for good, Fetzer Vineyards stewards an award‐winning portfolio of multi‐origin wines and spirits that are available in more than 50 countries worldwide. Founded by Barney Fetzer in Mendocino County, California, in 1968, Fetzer Vineyards today remains driven by excellence, innovation and longstanding commitments to the environment, regenerative agriculture, and responsible business practices. In declaring a climate emergency in 2020, Fetzer Vineyards joins more than 700 global B Corps in making aggressive climate commitments, and lends its voice to the B Corp Climate Collective, a coalition of purpose‐focused businesses that have made public commitments to bold and urgent action on climate.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Courtney Cochran | 415.728.4004 | courtney.cochran@fetzer.com

 

August 20, 2019

From AR to Real Life: Top South American Wine Brands Launch Augmented Reality Experiences, Groundbreaking In-App Drizly Partnership

Casillero del Diablo, Trivento and Frontera Offer In-App Access to Drizly Beverage Delivery Service Alongside Mobile AR Experiences

Mendocino County, Calif., August 20, 2019 – In a first for the wine industry, powerhouse South American brands Casillero del Diablo, Trivento and Frontera today announce the launch of an innovative mobile partnership with beverage delivery app Drizly. Following a quick scan of any bottle of Casillero del Diablo Reserva, Trivento Reserve or Frontera 750ml wine, users are transported to immersive augmented reality experiences powered by DrinkAR. And now, for the first time ever, Drizly has been seamlessly integrated into each brand’s AR platform, offering users the ability to click to purchase a featured wine—and have it delivered to their doorstep in as little as 60 minutes.¹

“We are thrilled to team up with these innovative wine brands to make Drizly a part of their industry- leading consumer-facing technology,” said Liz Paquette, director of brand at Drizly. “Each brand’s augmented reality experience culminates with the next-level convenience of in-home delivery, letting fans pour a glass of Casillero, Trivento or Frontera wine on demand.”

Breaking New Ground: Delivering on the Immersive World of AR

Before the in-app Drizly purchase prompt appears, this trio of South American brands, imported by Fetzer Vineyards, comes to life through engaging AR experiences. Consumers are invited to download the DrinkAR app and activate the following AR experiences by pointing their smartphones at the wine labels:

Casillero del Diablo: Casillero del Diablo’s Reserva line looked to AR to bring its centuries-old

legend of the Devil’s Cellar to life. Visitors take a 360˚ tour of the Casillero wine cellar, exploring fire-lit caverns as the brand’s namesake legend of the Devil—rumored to have guarded the cellar for over 140 years—plays in the background. Twice named the second most powerful wine brand in the world,² Casillero is best known as a leader in premium imported Cabernet Sauvignon.³

Trivento: Premium Argentine brand Trivento—the official wine of Major League Soccer—delivers the first interactive AR game in the wine industry, marrying soccer and wine in a gamification first. Following a label scan of a Trivento Reserve bottle, users are invited to express their fandom on the virtual field, shooting penalty kicks and climbing up a continually updated leaderboard to the sound of a cheering crowd.

– more –

¹ Timing may vary and subject to availability in different markets.

² Source: Global Wine Brand Power Index, 2018 & 2019.

³ Source: IRI/TTL US/750ML/$ Sales, Vol Sales, Distribution/L52 Wks W/E 3.17.19, #2 premium imported Cabernet Sauvignon.

Frontera: The #1 South American popular import and a Top 10 popular import overall,⁴ Frontera has mastered the art of crafting delectable wine-based cocktails. The Chilean brand’s AR experience, now available by scanning 750ml bottles, offers a step-by-step, engaging guide to mixing batch cocktails featuring Frontera wine, classic spirits, fresh fruit and herbs. Creative cocktail recipes like Spiced Sangria; the ever-popular summer sipper, Frosé; and Paloma Blanca come to life to a soundtrack of curated beats that set the tone for a festive night in with friends.

Accessibility and Engagement: Building Brand Loyalists

In today’s market, sales made on smartphones account for over 70% of total eCommerce purchases.⁵ As the largest platform for online alcohol, with staggering year-over-year growth of 90%,⁶ Drizly offers wine brands an attractive proposition within the AR environment.

“Our first-of-its-kind partnership with Drizly underscores our commitment to creating meaningful connections with consumers—wherever they are,” said Rodrigo Maturana, vice president of marketing for Fetzer Vineyards. “By integrating Drizly into AR experiences for these three powerful brands, we’re building on consumer engagement with the convenience of in-home delivery, making our import brands more accessible than ever.”

DrinkAR is available for download in the Apple Store and Google Play, or at DrinkAR.co.

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About Fetzer Vineyards

Celebrating over 50 years of acclaimed winegrowing, Fetzer Vineyards was founded in 1968 in Mendocino County, California. An award-winning purveyor of wines and spirits spanning multiple origins and available in more than 50 countries worldwide, Fetzer Vineyards is a leader in sustainable business practices, organic winegrowing, and craftsmanship in the cellar.

In addition to robust offerings under the winery’s flagship Fetzer label, the winery also crafts the leading wine from organic grapes, Bonterra Organic Vineyards, named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine in 2016. Other California offerings include Adorada, Anthony’s Hill, Beckon, Relay, Sanctuary Wines and 1000 Stories, the original Bourbon barrel-aged wine. Part of global winery Viña Concha y Toro, Fetzer Vineyards imports iconic South American selections such as Chile’s most-acclaimed wine, Don Melchor, and the Cono Sur, Viña Maipo, Marques de Casa Concha, Casillero del Diablo and Frontera labels from Chile, in addition to Argentina’s Trivento Reserve. Recently, Fetzer Vineyards entered the ultra-luxury wine and spirits category by forging a partnership with Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. to sell its historic craft rye whiskey and Bourbon.

About Drizly

Drizly is North America’s largest alcohol marketplace and the best way to shop beer, wine, and liquor. With the speed and convenience of on-demand delivery in under 60 minutes, customers can easily browse and order their favorites through the Drizly website or mobile app. By partnering with the best retail stores in over 100 markets in North America, Drizly provides consumers a rich e-commerce experience that offers unrivaled selection, competitive pricing, and personalized content to users of legal drinking age. Drizly operates across the United States and Canada, from Austin to Boston, Calgary to Tampa, New York City to Denver (and beyond). Backed by world-class institutional investors, the company has raised over $67 million to date. drizly.com

⁴ Source: IRI/ TTL US /TABLE/ L52 weeks W/E 6/23/19.

⁵ Source: Kressman, J. (2017). Mobile Purchasing Keeps Ramping Up in the US. eMarketer Retail.

⁶ Source: Drizly internal data.

 

Media Contact:

Courtney Cochran, Fetzer Vineyards 415.728.4004 | courtney.cochran@fetzer.com

July 15, 2019

Wine Grounded in Good: Fetzer Vineyards Details Its Regenerative Development Progress

California vintner releases 2017-2018 corporate consciousness report, detailing enhanced environmental policy efforts, regenerative agriculture study and progress toward 2020 goals

MENDOCINO COUNTY, July 15, 2019 – Fetzer Vineyards, a leader in regenerative winegrowing, announces the release of Mapping the Road: Corporate Consciousness Report, highlighting its

regenerative development progress and key milestones realized in 2017 and 2018. The world’s largest winery certified as a B Corporation, Fetzer Vineyards achieved significant reductions in energy and water use during the reporting period, surpassing its 2020 goals in both areas two years ahead of schedule, while maintaining industry-leading certifications for Zero Waste and CarbonNeutral® operations and making significant efficiency upgrades to production facilities. Setting the course for a more climate- resilient tomorrow, the vintner simultaneously initiated efforts to drive the more widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture in its supply chain and spoke up in state, national and international forums for more rigorous environmental policymaking.

Elevating Impact, Prioritizing Purpose

Working toward a 2030 commitment to net positive operations—synonymous with a positive corporate footprint—Fetzer Vineyards made meaningful progress on its journey in a variety of areas during the reporting period. In addition to supporting impactful water policy initiatives in California, the vintner achieved a 25% reduction in winery water use from its 2015 baseline, using just 2.75 gallons of water per gallon of wine produced. In 2018, Fetzer Vineyards met its 2020 energy efficiency goal early, realizing energy savings of 21% thanks to numerous efficiency upgrades and innovative, energy-savings projects. Beyond its doors, the vintner advocated for regenerative, climate-smart business practices at the global Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany, where Fetzer Vineyards was recognized by the

United Nations with a “Momentum for Change” Climate Solutions Award.

Inside Mapping the Road

Mapping the Road builds on progress shared in Fetzer Vineyards’ first sustainability report, Road to Regeneration, which detailed historic milestones at the vintner and highlights from 2016. The 2017-2018 timeframe was a positive and productive period, as the vintner created further thoughtful impacts that open new possibilities on the road ahead, including the following:

• Standing Up for Soil: The winery commissioned a pioneering research study to measure soil organic carbon (SOC) in its regeneratively farmed vineyards, learning that sites farmed with organic and Biodynamic® methods stored 9.4% – 12.8% more SOC than conventionally farmed acreage. Results offer directional indication of the positive role regenerative agriculture can play in slowing climate change.
• Cultivating Efficiency: Fetzer Vineyards updated its legacy bottling lines to improve efficiency and environmental performance, decreasing the carbon footprint associated with bottling more than two million cases annually. Cutting-edge equipment allows the winery to operate its bottling system with bulk glass and unassembled cardboard cartons, which are more resource- efficient and flexible options in both manufacturing and transportation.
• Winemaking to Make a Difference: In 2017, Fetzer Vineyards amended its legal structure to become a benefit corporation in the State of California, committing to balancing impacts on ecosystems, stakeholders, communities, and profits as measures of business performance. Now held legally accountable for considering a broader range of business-related impacts, including the environment, the vintner formally measures success through both profit and purpose.

Looking Forward, Pressing On

Fetzer Vineyards understands that transforming the future requires not just small, incremental steps toward sustainability, but rather an ambitious framework—like regenerative development—applied to every part of its business. With the knowledge that the road will not always be easy, Fetzer Vineyards is poised to continue taking bold steps toward its vision of a regenerative, net positive company, and to be part of the movement to redefine what responsible business is all about.

Learn more about recent progress and download Mapping the Road at http://bit.ly/fetzer_susty19.

About Fetzer Vineyards

Celebrating over 50 years of acclaimed winegrowing, Fetzer Vineyards was founded in 1968 by Barney Fetzer in Mendocino County, California. An award-winning purveyor of wines and spirits spanning multiple origins and available in more than 50 countries worldwide, Fetzer Vineyards is a leader in sustainable business practices, organic winegrowing, and craftsmanship in the cellar.

In addition to robust offerings under the winery’s flagship Fetzer label, the winery also crafts the leading wine from organic grapes, Bonterra Organic Vineyards, named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine in 2016. Other California offerings include Adorada, Anthony’s Hill, Jekel Vineyards, Sanctuary Wines and 1000 Stories, the original Bourbon barrel-aged wine. Part of global winery Viña Concha y Toro, Fetzer Vineyards imports iconic South American wines such as Chile’s most-acclaimed wine, Don Melchor, as well as the Cono Sur, Viña Maipo, Marques de Casa Concha, Casillero del Diablo and Frontera labels from Chile, in addition to Argentina’s Trivento Reserve. Recently, Fetzer Vineyards entered the ultra-luxury wine and spirits category by forging a partnership with Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. to sell its historic craft rye whiskey and Bourbon.

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Media Contact: Courtney Cochran | Fetzer Vineyards | 415.728.4004 | courtney.cochran@fetzer.com