Roots run deep at the heart of the Rutherford Appellation where Sequoia Grove Winery has been producing wines of distinction since 1979 on land with a grape-growing heritage of more than 135 years. The legacy is a palpable, almost magical, one. Rutherford ranks among the most distinctive AVAs in Napa Valley, distinguished by its “Rutherford Dust” soil and producing some of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon.
Contributing to the Sequoia Grove Winery story are stately redwood trees standing tall beside the historic hay barn that’s been renovated into a casual-yet- sophisticated tasting room offering several tasting and food pairing experiences. These majestic trees serve as a reminder of Mother Nature’s incredible power, a symbol of persistence, fortitude, and growth. Towering and beloved, the coastal redwoods serve to underscore three key pillars of the brand: Quality, Sustainability and Interconnectedness. These values are ingrained in every aspect of the culture of this family-owned winery and the philosophy behind their winemaking.
With an eye to the future, Sequoia Grove Winery President Rick Bonitati said, “To produce great fruit that reflects a true sense of place, it’s important we maintain and enhance the land where great wines begin—in the vineyard.”
Throughout the entire operation, the winery is deeply committed to environmentally- responsible practices.
Forty years after its founding, how exactly is this deep commitment to the health of the planet and sustainability in viticulture accomplished at Sequoia Grove Winery?
As a Napa Green Certified Winery, Sequoia Grove ensures a minimum of 100 sustainability measures are implemented to save energy, increase energy efficiency, reduce waste, recycle, draw down green- house gas emissions, reduce the carbon footprint, conserve water, reduce waste and more.
At Sequoia Grove Winery, several other sustainability initiatives include:
Certified Napa Green Land involving everything from cover crop and mulching programs to planting to pest management techniques.
Certified, fish-friendly farming by encouraging growing practices that protect the endangered salmon and steelhead trout.
Reducing the use of water, using bioswales for stormwater runoff, planting drought-tolerant landscaping and using drip irrigation to provide precise watering on vines and landscaping.
100% powered by renewable energy through the Deep Green program with Marin Clean Energy as a certified Green Business.
Sequoia Grove has also pushed its conservation efforts beyond the winery. They are active members of 1% For the Planet and donate annually to Save the Redwoods League – a 100-year old organization dedicated to preserving habitat for both old and new-growth Sequoia groves.
Rick Bonitati sums it up on behalf of the team, “For decades, our consistent philosophy of making wines with varietal character that reflect the characteristics of the land have established Sequoia Grove as a premier Cabernet Sauvignon producer in Napa Valley. We intend to preserve and enhance our environment for generations to come.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.sequoiagrove.com // 707-944-2945 // 8338 St. Helena Highway, Napa
Article by: Laurie Jo Miller Farr
