Dear Members,
Since we opened in 2003, we have recycled our glass, cardboard cases and most office paper. We also control waste in our winemaking department and are careful with irrigation water - we are farmers after all. These easy measures are just common sense nowadays but they don't go nearly far enough for a company like ours in the 21st century.
Starting immediately, we are initiating a program to continuously reduce our "environmental footprint", in other words, the overall impact our organization has on the environment. This effort will include all aspects of our operation, including our vineyards.
Most of our efforts will be guided by the fundamental beliefs of sustainability: First, that many of our society's activities are having a negative impact on the environment, which puts our continued well being and that of our children at risk. Secondly, that we are the stewards and caretakers of our environment and that we have a personal responsibility to manage our activities in ways that allow for the preservation of the environment for future generations-regardless of the perceived direct value of these activities to us.
To begin, we will actively assess our energy usage and implement a wholesale overhaul of lighting, motors and other energy wasting appliances. We will review our operating practices and install timers wherever possible to ensure that associates turn off lights, set thermostats properly, etc. We are also shopping for solar panels to help us lower our energy consumption to cool our new case and barrel storage building.
At the suggestion of some thoughtful Members we are researching two programs for the Tasting Room. To reduce the waste of packaging materials, we are looking into giving every "will call" member the option of using a Ponte logo reusable wine bag to pick up their Wine Club shipments, while shipping members now receive their wine packaged in pulp instead of Styrofoam. The savings will be invested back into more "green" measures at the winery such as an incentive program for associate car pools. Secondly, we will give anyone who brings back empty bottles of Ponte wine a $1 per bottle voucher valid on the purchase of Ponte wine (limit one voucher per bottle purchased). The Wine Club ladies are busy exploring a number of ideas such as printing exclusively on recycled stock, using environmentally friendly adhesive and shifting some of our marketing materials away from paper.
At the Restaurant we have eliminated the use of Styrofoam and have reduced disposables as much as possible. Chef Steve is now purchasing produce from as many local suppliers as possible. We are also exploring the use of discarded cooking oil from the restaurant to power our tractors. At the Vineyard we will be following the "Code of Sustainable Winegrowing" published by the California Association of Winegrape Growers and the Wine Institute. Although this program is just starting, we are committed to continue making improvements in this area. As always we value your suggestions and look forward to hearing your opinion about these efforts.
Sincerely, Claudio Ponte
