June 24, 2024

Veteran Bonterra Organic Estates Winemaker Announces Retirement

Jeff Cichocki stepping down at the end of June 2024.

HOPLAND, CALIFORNIA June 25, 2024 — Bonterra Organic Estates, the largest Regenerative Organic Certified® winery in the United States, announced today that veteran winemaker Jeff Cichocki will retire at the end of June, after 17 years with the company.

“We could not be more grateful to Jeff for his many years of hard work, strong leadership, and exceptional wines,” said John Kane, general manager of Bonterra Organic Estates. “As a winemaker who grew up through the cellar, Jeff has an incredible gut feel for winemaking decisions. You can see him putting a blend together in his mind – the 10,000-hour rule in action. His talent and passion will be sorely missed.”

An Environmental Studies major at Sonoma State University, Cichocki began his career in environmental planning in Sonoma County but soon found himself spending time in the wine cellar. Beginning as an apprentice at Mill Creek Winery in Healdsburg, he moved up to Cellar Master at Matanzas Creek Winery in Bennett Valley, then on to Cakebread Cellars in Napa Valley, B.R. Cohn in Sonoma Valley, and Jeriko Estate Winery in Hopland, not far from Bonterra Organic Estates’ iconic McNab Ranch. In 2007, Cichocki successfully merged his passion for environmentalism with his winemaking career by joining Bonterra Organic Estates, a leading winery committed to regenerative organic agriculture practices and environmental stewardship.

During Cichocki’s tenure with Bonterra Organic Estates, he was instrumental in developing the winery’s diverse portfolio of award-winning wines crafted from organically grown grapes. Bolstered by growing demand for organic wine, the Bonterra brand has more than doubled in size since Cichocki joined the company, achieving a production of half a million cases in 2023. This remarkable growth underscores the exceptional quality of wines crafted under his guidance.

“Our winemaking team at Bonterra is a great group of passionate individuals who share a deep commitment to organic and Regenerative Organic Certified practices,” says Cichocki. “I will miss being part of this collaborative group every day, but I’m confident they will continue to produce exceptional wines that contribute positively to the world.”

Recently, Bonterra Organic Estates announced powerhouse winemaker Margaret Leonardi-Pruett will helm the brand’s beloved Bonterra Collection as Senior Winemaker, beginning with the 2024 vintage. She will collaborate with Senior Winemaker Sebastian Donoso in fueling the brand’s burgeoning momentum.

December 4, 2023

Bonterra Organic Estates Launches Limited Release Regenerative Organic Certified® Red Blend Exclusively Online

Online exclusive available in time for holiday gatherings and gifting occasions.

HOPLAND, CA., December 5, 2023 — Just in time for the holidays, Bonterra Organic Estates®, the leading producer of Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) wine, proudly unveils the 2022 Red Blend as the latest addition to its esteemed Bonterra Estate Collection. Responding to enthusiastic demand from Bonterra fans, this limited release is poised to debut exclusively on the brand’s website starting December 4.

Bonterra Organic Estates sets the benchmark for ROC wines worldwide. The Red Blend is the third ROC wine in the esteemed Bonterra Estate Collection following the successful launch of the 2021 Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon earlier this year. A unique blend of Petite Sirah, Malbec, with a touch of Zinfandel, the Red Blend is a luscious, full-bodied wine boasting layered black cherry, black currant, and spice notes. Enjoyable immediately or suitable for cellaring for up to five years, this 100% estate-grown wine is bottled in the incomparable Mendocino County AVA.

Hilary Butler, senior director of marketing for Bonterra Organic Estates, emphasizes, “The Red Blend is a testament to four decades of pioneering organic viticulture and our commitment to cultivating a better future.”

Bonterra Organic Estates, one of only 15 wineries in the United States to achieve Regenerative Organic Certification, certified all its Mendocino County vineyards and the winery at the silver level in 2021. Dedicated to transparent and responsible business practices, the winery holds additional certifications, including B Corp, TRUE Zero Waste, and Climate Neutral, and is a California Certified Organic Farmer.

Organic wine sales grew + 7% in volume from 2017 to 2022 in the United States. With Bonterra’s commitment to regenerative organic practices, it has emerged as the leading organic brand boasting 36% market share and surpassing performance in the super premium segment.[1] Remarkably, within a single year, the introduction of the Estate Collection has broadened its reach to over 5,000 points of distribution across the U.S. and offering direct shipping to consumers in 40 states nationwide.[2]

Starting on December 4, the Red Blend will be available for purchase on Bonterra.com. This online exclusive offering reflects Bonterra Organic Estates innovative and consumer-centric approach, catering to the preferences of the modern, eco-conscious wine consumer.

SRP: $22.00

[1] IWSR, “Sustainability concerns drive interest in organic, natural and alternative wines”

[2] Bonterra +4.4% dollar sales in latest 26 weeks ending 10/1/23 – Circana/Total US MULO+C – Domestic 750ml Super Premium Segment

July 20, 2023

Bonterra Organic Estates Unveils New Leadership Structure to Drive Growth and Success in a Rapidly Evolving Global Wine Market

Hopland, Calif. Jul 20, 2023 – Bonterra Organic Estates, the trailblazer of organic viticulture, announces a significant milestone with the introduction of a transformative co-management structure. This dynamic approach underscores the company’s dedication to teamwork, disciplined excellence and continues its pioneering leadership that began in the 1980s when the winery planted some of the first organically farmed vines in the industry.

Recognizing the need for agility and adaptability in the face of evolving market dynamics, Bonterra Organic Estates departs from convention by appointing four Presidents, each leading an independent division and reporting directly to the Bonterra Organic Estates Board of Directors in Chile.

Leading the Commercial Unit, President – Sales & Wholesale Allison Wetsel will accelerate Bonterra Organic Estates’ growth with her track record of success. Meanwhile, President – Marketing Rodrigo Maturana’s exceptional market acumen will power brand campaigns. Formerly Senior Vice Presidents, both will spearhead their respective divisions.

Managing the support unit President – Finance & Administration Emmanuel Garibay will lead the areas of Administration, Finance, Human Resources, and Management Control. At the same time, President – Operations Erik Olsen will oversee all aspects of Vineyard, Winemaking, and Winery Operations, Production, and Supply Chain. The respective former Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer bring a wealth of expertise to their units, ensuring efficient cross-functionality.

Viña Concha Y Toro SA Chief Executive Officer Eduardo Guilisasti Gana expressed unwavering confidence in the four-division leadership of its subsidiary Bonterra Organic Estates, stating, “Our new management model will take our business to new heights, leveraging the power of collaboration, innovative management, and the extraordinary talent and expertise within our organization.” He added, “I must express my deep gratitude to Giancarlo Bianchetti for his steadfast commitment during his exceptional 12-year tenure as CEO of Bonterra Organic Estates. His disciplined approach and visionary leadership shaped our sustainability strategy and drove our growth. As we embark on this new chapter, I am pleased to welcome Giancarlo back to Viña Concha y Toro in Chile.”

This bold approach not only reflects Bonterra Organic Estates’ commitment to fostering collaboration and driving innovation but also aligns with its spirit as an industry forerunner. The power-sharing arrangement facilitates timely and strategic decisions, leveraging the complementary expertise of the four division presidents. Furthermore, this inclusive leadership fosters resilience and agility, crucial attributes to thrive in the rapidly evolving global wine market.

This new structure positions Bonterra Organic Estates to seize opportunities, adapt to evolving consumer demands, and maintain leadership as the organic wine pioneer. By continuing its legacy of innovation and embracing collaborative leadership, the company will navigate the ever-changing global wine market with confidence and remain at the forefront of sustainable and exceptional winemaking.

May 31, 2023

Bonterra Organic Estates’ Joseph Brinkley Receives Climate Smart Agriculture Groundbreaker Award

Award Recognizes Brinkley’s Longstanding Efforts to Advance Regenerative Organic Agriculture as a Climate Solution.

HOPLAND, Calif., (May 31, 2023) – Bonterra Organic Estates, the largest Regenerative Certified® winery in the United States, proudly announces that Joseph Brinkley, Director of Regenerative Farming, earned the esteemed 2023 BICEP Climate Smart Agriculture Groundbreaker Award from the nonprofit organization Ceres. This recognition highlights Brinkley as a vital member of the Ceres Climate Smart Agriculture and Healthy Soil (CSAHS) Working Group, as well his impassioned advocacy for regenerative organic agriculture.

The BICEP Climate Smart Agriculture Groundbreaker Award exemplifies Brinkley’s commitment to advancing environmentally sound and regenerative organic farming practices. Brinkley’s active involvement in the CSAHS Working Group has been instrumental in driving tangible policy changes that significantly impact the agriculture and viticulture communities. Through collaborative efforts with Ceres, the Organic Trade Association, and other stakeholders, he has played a pivotal role in championing organic priorities on a broad scale while raising awareness about the vital role of regenerative organic farming methods as a climate solution.

Moreover, Brinkley is active in legislation advocacy, meeting with bi-partisan lawmakers to support an upcoming 2023 U.S. Farm Bill that prioritizes regenerative organic agriculture and promotes equitable agricultural practices. Recently, he dedicated two weeks on Capitol Hill engaging in meaningful discussions with members of Congress and the White House, highlighting the critical need for increased funding for organic agriculture.

Cindy Clark, senior manager, regenerative agriculture policy at Ceres commended Joseph’s award, stating, “It is our pleasure to present Joseph and Bonterra Organic Estates with our Climate Smart Agriculture Groundbreaker award. Joseph has represented Bonterra extremely well as an integral member of the Ceres Climate Smart Agriculture and Healthy Soil Working Group, and we have been deeply impressed by his abilities as an enthusiastic and highly educational participant in meetings with lawmakers from both parties. We look forward to our continued work with Joseph and Bonterra this year in support of a 2023 Farm Bill that equitably prioritizes regenerative agriculture.”

January 25, 2023

Bonterra Organic Estates Launches Regenerative Organic Certified® Wines, Debuts The Bonterra Estate Collection

Beverage industry’s only global green-specific awards honor the company’s commitment to regenerative organic farming, responsible business practices and environmental stewardship.

HOPLAND, Calif., Jan. 25, 2023 – Bonterra Organic Estates® today launches the Bonterra Estate Collection, a new tier of Regenerative Organic Certified® wines. Among the first Regenerative Organic Certified wines available globally, these are the first grown and produced in Mendocino County, California. The new Estate Collection is emblematic of the company’s decades of pioneering leadership in regenerative organic viticulture and captures the unspoiled wildlands of Bonterra Organic Estates’ own vineyards in Mendocino County. The Estate Collection is now available for purchase nationwide.

The Bonterra Estate Collection is the first tier of Regenerative Organic Certified wines produced by the winery, which achieved the rigorous Regenerative Organic Certification at the silver level in late 2021 for all of its Mendocino County vineyard holdings and winery. Certified by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, the seal sets the highest standards for organic agriculture in the world. Regenerative Organic Certified farms and products adhere to stringent environmental, ethical, and social standards. The Estate Collection wines meet strong consumer demand for products made with transparency, traceability, and verified responsible business practices, aligning with Bonterra values as a certified B Corp.

“Wine and agriculture are on the front lines of the climate crisis, and we are uniquely positioned to pioneer best practices that help cultivate a better future for all,” said Joseph Brinkley, director of regenerative farming for Bonterra Organic Estates. “Our new Estate Collection is the culmination of many decades of regenerative organic farming, and clearly expresses our Mendocino County estate ranches.”

The Bonterra Estate Collection consists of a 2021 Chardonnay soand a 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the iconic Butler Ranch Vineyard. Situated 2,235 feet up in the mountain tops of Mendocino’s rugged North Coast of California, the vineyard’s high altitude and maritime microclimate produce fruit with intensity and rich, complex flavors.

The Estate Collection is the latest milestone in Bonterra Organic Estates’ journey as a pioneer in regenerative in organic farming and responsible business practices in the wine industry. Since its first organic vineyards were planted in 1987, Bonterra Organic Estates has demonstrated farming organically at scale is possible using regenerative organic practices–including sheep grazing, cover cropping, applying compost, and more.

A certified B Corp since 2015, Bonterra Organic Estates is committed to using business as a force for good. In addition to its regenerative organic credentials, Bonterra also proudly carries the Climate Neutral Certification and was the first to craft nationally available, organically grown Climate Neutral Certified wines. As a TRUE Zero Waste certified business, the winery diverts more than 98% of all waste from landfills or incineration.

The Bonterra Estate Collection is available for purchase at bonterra.com and will be rolling out to major retailers nationwide. A comprehensive list can be found on Bonterra’s store locator HERE. The Estate Collection wines are each priced at $21.99.

December 6, 2022

Bonterra Organic Estates Named Green Company of the Year 2022 by The Drinks Business

Beverage industry’s only global green-specific awards honor the company’s commitment to regenerative organic farming, responsible business practices and environmental stewardship.

HOPLAND, Calif., December 6, 2022 – Bonterra Organic Estates^®, a certified B Corporation, has been honored as Green Company of the Year by the drinks business magazine. This recognition highlights the company’s acceleration of longstanding impact initiatives over the last 12 months, from achieving Regenerative Organic Certification^® for all of its estate vineyards and winery, to formally changing the organization’s name from Fetzer Vineyards to Bonterra Organic Estates in order to more clearly emphasize its guiding values.

The drinks business Green Awards are the world’s largest program raising awareness of sustainability and mission-driven companies in the beverage trade, and the only set of green-specific awards that encompass the global beverage industry. These awards recognize and reward the brands and individuals who hold a green agenda at the very heart of their businesses, and demonstrate tangible results. Winners are determined by an independent panel of sustainability and drinks industry experts. The Green Company of the Year Award, awarded to Bonterra Organic Estates this year, salutes a beverage company that has both improved its own direct environmental impact through changes to business practices, and promoted this effectively to a wider audience.

“Wine and agriculture are on the front lines of the climate crisis, which means we are uniquely positioned to pioneer best practices that help cultivate a better future for all,” said Giancarlo Bianchetti, CEO of Bonterra Organic Estates. “We are deeply gratified by this recognition of our efforts by industry peers, and will continue working to improve our environmental impact further—and, hopefully, to inspire other companies around the world to do the same.”

This Green Company of the Year Award is the capstone of an eventful twelve months in Bonterra Organic Estates’ history. In December 2021, the winery secured Regenerative Organic Certification for all of its Mendocino County, California vineyards and winery. Bonterra Organic Estates achieved Silver-level certification by demonstrating adherence to rigorous standards across the program’s applicable pillars—soil health and social fairness—and committing to ongoing improvement. In late 2021, the company’s popular Bonterra brand also achieved Climate Neutral certification after measuring, reducing, and offsetting a full 100% of greenhouse gas emissions from production and delivery of the wines. To help educate and bring consumers along on its Climate Neutral journey, the company deployed a national marketing campaign around Climate Neutral wine, including full-page ads in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times.

Earlier this year, Bonterra Organic Estates also formally committed to the Science-Based Target initiative, a global partnership that empowers ambitious climate action in the private sector by helping organizations set and achieve emissions reduction and decarbonization targets grounded in the best available scientific evidence. Additionally, as a result of Bonterra Organic Estates’ ambitious and broad-ranging environmental efforts, B Lab, the global nonprofit network that certifies and mobilizes B Corporations, named the company a “Best for the World” in the Environment category this year – an award reserved for the top 5% of similarly sized global B Corps for positive environmental impact. Finally, and most visibly, in August the company officially changed its name from Fetzer Vineyards to Bonterra Organic Estates in order to highlight its forward-thinking regenerative organic commitments.

Bonterra Organic Estates has long led its industry in modeling planet-friendly business practices and continues to advocate for climate-smart policies at the state and national levels. In 2015, then-Fetzer Vineyards became the first recipient of the California Green Medal Leader award, which recognized the winery’s longstanding sustainability commitments and leadership in the California wine industry. In 2017, the company was the only winery in the world to be commended at COP23 by the United Nations Climate Change secretariat, which recognized the winery’s work toward a climate positive future with a Lighthouse “Momentum for Change” Climate Solutions Award. In 2020, the company declared a climate emergency and committed to achieving climate-positive operations by 2030.

Dec 13, 2021

Fetzer Vineyards Achieves Regenerative Organic Certification™ for Winery and 100% of Estate Vineyards

Vintner becomes the world’s largest ROC™-certified winegrower, obtaining rigorous credential for regenerative farming and social responsibility while elevating verified commitments to wine grounded in good

Fetzer Vineyards, the largest winery in the U.S. certified as a B Corporation and a leader in regenerative winegrowing, announced it has achieved Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) for all of its Mendocino County vineyard holdings and winery. Fetzer Vineyards is the world’s largest winery to obtain ROC certification, and is the third winery to certify to the standard, which publicly debuted in 2020. Long at the vanguard of regenerative viticulture in California, Fetzer Vineyards continues to demonstrate the highest levels of adherence to responsible business and farming practices with this latest achievement.

ROC is a revolutionary new certification for food & beverage, textile and personal care industries that assures shoppers certified farms and products meet the highest standards environmentally, ethically and socially. Certified at the ROC Silver level, Fetzer Vineyards has demonstrated adherence to rigorous standards across the program’s applicable pillars – soil health and social fairness – and committed to ongoing improvement, a core requirement of ROC certification.

Established in 2017 by a group of farmers, business leaders, and experts in soil health, animal welfare and social fairness—including Dr. Bronner’s, Patagonia and the Rodale Institute—the nonprofit Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) aims to repair a damaged planet and empower farmers and eaters to create a better future through adoption of regenerative organic farming.

“ROC was created because regenerative organic agriculture has the potential to address many of today’s pressing problems, including the climate crisis, factory farming, and fractured rural economies,” said Elizabeth Whitlow, executive director of the ROA. “If we adopt regenerative organic practices on more farms, we’ll see improvements to soil health, the well-being of animals, farmers, workers, and the climate itself. I applaud Fetzer Vineyards’ achievement of ROC Silver, which is challenging for any farm and especially so given the size and scale of Fetzer Vineyards’ farming and winery operation,” she concluded.

With USDA Organic certification as a baseline, ROC recognizes the strong work already conducted by existing certification bodies and leverages this important work as part of the journey to Regenerative Organic Certification. Certification requires submission of a Regenerative Organic System Plan, an initial audit, ongoing annual audits and continued improvement.

“ROC aligns with and builds upon our existing approaches to soil health and worker fairness, and connects to and supports all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—making this a truly comprehensive, rigorous and globally relevant standard,” notes Jess Baum, director of regenerative development and sustainability at Fetzer Vineyards. “Also vitally important is the ROA’s goal to protect the term ‘regenerative’ from greenwashing, which is essential if we are to be able to grow adoption of regenerative organic to address the climate crisis, and worker and community equity issues that are systemic in our food landscape. Simply put, the wellbeing of people, planet and communities is what’s at stake.”

Fetzer Vineyards first began farming organically in 1987, and in 2000 began farming according to Demeter US-certified Biodynamic® practices on select ranches. In 2020, the winery declared a climate emergency and committed to becoming climate positive in its operations by 2030. ROC certification across the winery and estate vineyards elevates these commitments and symbolizes the next chapter for the pacesetting vintner, committed to climate-smart practices that build resiliency both within and beyond winery’s doors.

“We need to diminish, if not entirely eliminate, the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that raise our GHG emissions, harm our biodiversity, contaminate our air and waters, and damage our communities,” notes Joseph Brinkley, director of regenerative farming for Fetzer Vineyards, whose role includes advocating for healthy soils legislation and advancing the company’s position on climate policy generally. “The science supports the abundant connections between soil health and carbon storage, climate resiliency and healthy food systems—and regenerative organic farming is at the heart of this. At Fetzer Vineyards, we plan to continue building on what we’re doing at home, in our supply chain, and at the advocacy table to help advance a positive future for climate-smart agriculture, as we continue to drive scalable solutions to the climate crisis.”

To learn more about Fetzer Vineyards’ impact work, visit fetzervineyards.com/impact and follow @FetzerVineyards on LinkedIn for relevant updates.

ABOUT FETZER VINEYARDS
Fetzer Vineyards is an award-winning purveyor of multi-origin wines and spirits, selling in over 50 countries worldwide. Founded by Barney Fetzer in Mendocino County, CA, in 1968, and part of global powerhouse Viña Concha y Toro, Fetzer Vineyards today remains driven by excellence, innovation and longstanding commitments to the environment and responsible business practices. With a focus on crafting wines made from sustainable, organic and Biodynamic® grapes, Fetzer Vineyards is a leading U.S. marketer of wines, the nation’s primary importer of South American wines, and the United States’ largest Certified B Corporation winery—a testament to the company’s dedication to the transformational goals of regenerative business.

In addition to its flagship Fetzer label, the Fetzer Vineyards portfolio features Bonterra Organic Vineyards, the 2016 Wine Enthusiast American Winery of the Year; 1000 Stories, California’s original Bourbon barrel-aged wine; Casillero del Diablo, the #1 Chilean wine brand (750ml) in the U.S.; and Trivento Reserve, the #3 selling Malbec in the U.S. The Origins Collection—an esteemed portfolio of super-premium to super-luxury offerings centered on terroir-driven wines from Chile, Argentina and the U.S.—showcases South American icons Don Melchor and Trivento Eolo Malbec, alongside Bonterra’s single-vineyard, biodynamically farmed wines and the award-winning craft whiskies of Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. Learn more at: www.fetzervineyards.com

Nov 17, 2021

Bonterra Becomes World’s First Organically Farmed, Climate Neutral Certified Wine

Green leader certifies for climate neutrality across all business scopes

Building on decades of wine industry leadership in regenerative farming, scientific research and responsible business, Bonterra Organic Vineyards announced today that it has achieved Climate Neutral certification for its entire business, and publicly published its climate footprint. The certification places Bonterra, the nation’s leading organic winery, at the vanguard of brands across industries choosing to disclose their emissions footprints, commit to near-term reduction targets, and communicate openly and transparently with consumers about their climate impact.

“Everything with a price tag comes with a cost to the planet,” said Rachel Newman, Vice President of Marketing for Bonterra. “The climate crisis demands that we act now and that we act boldly. Publicly sharing our emissions footprint and taking responsibility in a really clear, open way was important for us to do now—not in five, ten or thirty years.”

The time for action is now
The announcement comes on the heels of this year’s United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on the climate crisis, which shows that a warmer future is unavoidable, and signals a pivotal step for a wine brand to demonstrate accountability to stakeholders, including consumers, communities and the environment.

In certifying as Climate Neutral, Bonterra disclosed that on average, a bottle of Bonterra wine (750ml) creates 3.4 pounds of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions (CO2E);¹ in comparison, an apple creates 0.09 lbs. CO2E, while a smartphone creates 131 lbs. CO2E.² Sharing this information builds on Bonterra’s legacy of responsible practices, now elevating and contextualizing the likes of regenerative farming, 100% green power use at the winery, and advanced water stewardship within the framework of a reputable, product-level certification that consumers understand.

The new essential business metric
Bonterra worked with nonprofit organization Climate Neutral to account for all scopes of greenhouse gas emissions created in Bonterra wines’ journey, from cradle to consumer. In 2020, 37.2% of Bonterra’s emissions derived from packaging and materials, 25.2% from shipping, 16.5% from production, 16.1% from farming and grapes, and 5% from employee commuting and travel.³ Bonterra offset 110% of its footprint through responsible, third-party sourced, nature-based carbon credits. ⁴

Climate-regenerative projects supported include reforestation initiatives offering numerous co-benefits to climate-vulnerable communities. Supporting such projects allows Bonterra to take responsibility for the carbon it emits, and essentially amounts to a voluntary tax on Bonterra’s carbon pollution. In clearly communicating Bonterra’s climate footprint at the bottle level and sharing context to everyday goods in other product categories, the Bonterra team aims to help demystify the emissions intensity of its collection—and encourage others to do the same.

“Every company should be able to quantify how it’s adding to the climate crisis—just as every company understands its revenues and expenses. But most companies don’t, and even fewer are taking immediate action to eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions,” said Austin Whitman, CEO of Climate Neutral, which counts a growing roster of businesses, including Alter Eco, REI and Numi Tea, among the more than 300 brands that undergo the annual certification process.

“There’s an opportunity for consumers and brands to work together to redefine climate action as something ambitious, immediate, and ongoing,” Whitman explained. “As part of achieving its Climate Neutral certification, Bonterra has measured and compensated for its past emissions, and begun the essential work of reducing its emissions further, showing that the wine industry can play a key role in moving toward a net-zero world.”

Going further: Designing for a better future
Achieving Climate Neutral certification and committing to future reductions is a positive step toward a net-zero future, though the Bonterra team appreciates that key work lies ahead.

“Climate Neutral is a first step, allowing for brand-level and product-level transparency for consumers, and we acknowledge that carbon credits are not a long-term regenerative strategy,” said Jess Baum, Director of Regenerative Development & Sustainability for Bonterra. “In light of the climate crisis, we cannot let perfect become the enemy of good. Measuring and offsetting all carbon created from the vineyard to the shelf is a way for us to credibly take immediate action to address the crisis, while working simultaneously on improving our business.”

Baum encourages others to get started measuring and reducing their emissions. “I encourage everyone in our industry and beyond to take a closer look at their whole emissions footprint and identify the hot spots—the soonest-opportunity areas,” she said. “The only wrong way to do this is to do nothing at all. We all have a role to play, and working together, can make a difference.”

For more information about Bonterra and its commitment to Climate Neutral winegrowing, please visit www.bonterra.com/climate-neutral.

About Bonterra
Organically farmed and masterfully made, the Bonterra Organic Vineyards collection epitomizes wines that are perfectly in tune with nature. A celebration of the vitality derived from organic cultivation, the portfolio features wines coaxed from the earth by careful farming practices carried out on a dynamic network of estate and partner farms throughout California. In addition to a widely available selection of organically farmed wines that includes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Equinox Red, Young Red and Rosé, Bonterra crafts a trio of sought-after single-vineyard offerings from estate Biodynamic® vineyards in Mendocino County.

Long before organic produce filled the shelves of neighborhood groceries, the dedicated team at Bonterra was committed to organic and regenerative farming because they passionately believe that farms teeming with biodiversity— encompassing vines, insects and wildlife, and healthy soils—yield organic grapes leading to better wines. Bonterra was awarded the 2020 California Green Medal in the Environment category in recognition of its legacy of environmental stewardship and ongoing leadership in climate-smart winegrowing. More at www.Bonterra.com.

¹ Per-bottle average, 750ml equivalent, Bonterra 2020 Carbon Footprint, climateneutral.org/brand/bonterra
² Collected from publicly available sources, carbon footprints for everyday items are not meant to be representative of an entire product category.
³ Source: Climate Neutral Brand Emissions Estimator (BEE), Bonterra Organic Vineyards 2020 carbon emissions, scopes 1-3; https://www.climateneutral.org/brand/bonterra.
⁴ Climate Neutral uses third-party verification to ensure carbon credits meet the ‘big six’ requirements: real, permanent, quantifiable, verifiable, enforceable, and additional. Learn more about third-party verification for projects Bonterra supports for mangrove restoration in Myanmar, forestry in Brazil, and logging modification in China.

Oct 29, 2021

Fetzer Vineyards Named a Top Importer of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine

Company is included among respected cohort of fine wine importers in the United States

Fetzer Vineyards, a leading marketer of multi-origin wines and spirits from the United States, Chile and Argentina, was named a top importer of 2021 by influential wine publication Wine & Spirits magazine. This is Fetzer Vineyards’ first inclusion on the esteemed “Importers of the Year” list, which appears in the publication’s Winter 2021 Issue. It follows the company’s 2018 addition to its portfolio of iconic South American brands Don Melchor, Marques de Casa Concha and Casillero del Diablo, as well as the wines of Bodega Trivento, the world’s leading Argentine wine brand.[1]

The Wine & Spirits editorial team characterizes U.S. importers included in its 2021 list as those who “stake their business on finding wines you’ll want to drink,” and notes that “these 11 importers found the most we want to drink out of all the wines we tasted last year.” The publication tastes thousands of wines each year in a rigorous blind tasting process, and its inclusion of Fetzer Vineyards on its list solidifies the company’s standing as one of the most respected importers in the U.S. In addition to the praise for its imported wines, Fetzer Vineyards is commended for “Best Buys” originating from its California portfolio, including Bonterra.

Concha y Toro, imported by Fetzer Vineyards and a Wine & Spirits Top 100 Winery of 2021, is also prominently featured in the Winter 2021 Issue. Profiled in “The Top 100 Premier Cru,” a feature highlighting the wineries that have appeared most frequently over the three and a half decades of the Top 100 list, Concha y Toro is the second-most-awarded winery among a global list of esteemed vintners.

“We are very proud to be included on this year’s Wine & Spirits Importers of the Year list, alongside great company,” said Giancarlo Bianchetti, CEO of Fetzer Vineyards. “We’ve achieved this milestone thanks to the combined efforts of many over numerous years of focused work. We share this tremendous recognition with our extended team including our suppliers and trade partners.”

About Fetzer Vineyards

Fetzer Vineyards is an award-winning purveyor of multi-origin wines and spirits, selling in over 50 countries worldwide. Founded by Barney Fetzer in Mendocino County, CA, in 1968, and part of global powerhouse Viña Concha y Toro, Fetzer Vineyards today remains driven by excellence, innovation and longstanding commitments to the environment and responsible business practices. With a focus on crafting wines made from sustainable, organic and Biodynamic® grapes, Fetzer Vineyards is a leading U.S. marketer of wines, the nation’s primary importer of South American wines, and the United States’ largest Certified B Corporation winery—a testament to the company’s dedication to the transformational goals of regenerative business.

[1] IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, 2020: Bodega Trivento 2020 global sales

Oct 21, 2021

Fetzer Vineyards Announces “Outstanding” New B Corp Score of 130, Further Elevating Legacy of Purpose-Driven Business Practices

Longstanding commitments to regenerative agriculture and climate-smart practices land Fetzer Vineyards in the top 5% of companies of its size in the B Corp Environment category, and the “Outstanding” category for B Corps globally

HOPLAND, Calif., October 21, 2021 – Fetzer Vineyards, the largest winery certified as a B Corporation in the United States and a leader in regenerative winegrowing, today announced a milestone in the company’s longtime dedication to responsible business practices: a new B Corp score of 130. This new score, which reflects a remarkable 37% increase from the company’s previous score, puts Fetzer Vineyards in the “Outstanding” category for B Corps globally, an elite group of purpose-focused businesses verifiably recognized for using business as a force for good.

Fetzer Vineyards demonstrated especially remarkable growth in its B Corp Environment score during its B Corp recertification, building on performance last assessed in 2017. Thanks to the likes of organic and regenerative farming practices, climate-smart operations, resource conservation and more, Fetzer Vineyards’ tally of 75.4 Environment points puts it in the top five percent of Environment performance for a company of its size among global B Corps.

Fetzer Vineyards has long been a purpose-driven business, catalyzing change for good since its founding in 1968. It was the first recipient of the California Green Medal Leader award (2015), which recognized the winery’s legacy of pacesetting commitments to sustainable practices and leadership in the California wine industry. In 2017, Fetzer Vineyards was commended at COP23 by the United Nations Climate Change secretariat, which recognized the winery’s work toward a climate positive future with a Lighthouse “Momentum for Change” Climate Solutions Award, the only winery in the world to receive this honor.

Other leading achievements in 100% green energy use, zero waste certification and more have followed, along with early adoption among wineries of B Corp certification and best practices. Today, B Corps are widely recognized across industries for transparency and accountability.

“For more than 50 years we have continuously worked to improve both our environmental and social impact,” said Giancarlo Bianchetti, CEO of Fetzer Vineyards. “On the heels of declaring a Climate Emergency last year, it is imperative to demonstrate progress toward our goal of accelerating our efforts to do better for people, communities and planet. Our latest B Corp score reflects these efforts, and we will continue to advance our actions to build on this momentum.”

To qualify for B Corp certification, a company must complete the rigorous B Impact Assessment (BIA) and obtain a minimum of 80 points on its 200-point scale. Anyone may take the BIA, and the average company scores approximately 50 points, well below the threshold for certification. During the BIA, businesses are rigorously assessed and measured in five areas: workers, community, governance, environment and customers.

Fetzer Vineyards first became a Certified B Corp in 2015, achieving an initial score of 80.2. The winery increased its impact efforts and overall score to 95.1 on its second assessment, in 2017. In the years since, Fetzer Vineyards has continued to advance its efforts across an array of focus areas, with noteworthy progress in worker benefits; policy advocacy for social and environmental standards; ethical marketing; and climate-friendly business practices.

Today, there are more than 4,000 Certified B Corporations across 77 countries and 153 industries, unified by one common goal: transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet.

“We are excited to be a part of this incredible community, and to build on progress as we develop and execute ambitious, forward-thinking initiatives that will help us achieve our goal of climate positive operations by 2030,” said Jess Baum, Director of Regenerative Development & Sustainability for Fetzer Vineyards. “The BIA gives us a great framework to ensure we’re looking at improvement across impact areas, and we are committed to diving deeper and doing better across our business as we move into our next chapter.”

Debut of Fetzer Vineyards’ new score follows a recent announcement from Viña Concha y Toro, Fetzer Vineyards’ Chilean-based holding company, which celebrated its own B Corp certification—along with certification for each of its winery holdings not previously certified. These include Fetzer Vineyards imports to the U.S. Concha y Toro, Viña Cono Sur and Bodega Trivento. Where consumers are concerned, it also crucially means that every single bottle of wine Fetzer Vineyards makes or markets now hails from a B Corp, rendering the company’s entire U.S. portfolio of wines from California, Chile and Argentina certifiably grounded in good.

To learn more about Fetzer Vineyards’ B Corp certification and impact work, visit fetzervineyards.com/impact and follow @FetzerVineyards on LinkedIn for relevant updates.

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ABOUT FETZER VINEYARDS
Fetzer Vineyards is an award-winning purveyor of multi-origin wines and spirits, selling in over 50 countries worldwide. Founded by Barney Fetzer in Mendocino County, CA, in 1968, and part of global powerhouse Viña Concha y Toro, Fetzer Vineyards today remains driven by excellence, innovation and longstanding commitments to the environment and responsible business practices. With a focus on crafting wines made from sustainable, organic and Biodynamic® grapes, Fetzer Vineyards is a Top-12 U.S. marketer of wines, the nation’s primary importer of South American wines, and the United States’ largest Certified B Corporation winery—a testament to the company’s dedication to the transformational goals of regenerative business.

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