Terra Bella Vineyards: Setting the Sustainable Standard for Winemaking

That first sip of wine after a long week (or day) of work is frequently an enjoyable moment.  Pouring a glass that satisfies the pallet, and has a low impact on the environment can make that moment even more gratifying.    

 Founded by Napa Valley natives Jack and Dotty Hopkins, Terra Bella Vineyards produces an environmentally responsible and delicious wine.  The vineyard’s Syrah and Grenache grapes mature in Pacific Ocean breezes, and morning fogs that give way to long afternoons of sun most days of the year. 

Terra Bella Grapes 2011.  Courtesy: Dotty Hopkins

 

 

Moreover, Jack farms Terra Bella Vineyards sustainably and without harmful toxins and Dotty ensures that the wine is bottled environmentally responsibly.      

“That’s just part of who we are. The Napa Valley is such a gorgeous place we wanted to keep it as pure as possible,” Dotty says.         

Terra Bella wine is shipped to customers in Northern and Southern California in reused bottles with a zero carbon footprint label.  The corks can be recycled and the foil seals are made from recycled materials.  The companies providing the materials to label, seal and bottle the wine are local, helping to cut back on energy used to transport.     

  

“You have to keep all those things in mind when you’re making choices,” she says. Terra Bella was the first vineyard to order reused bottles from the local company when they became available in January 2011.          

“We just thought it was the most incredible thing in the world.  And it’s cheaper: half the cost of a new bottle,” Dotty explains.      

As an EcoGreenOffice partner, Terra Bella ordered ink toner cartridges for the operation's printer and fax machine.      

EcoGreenOffice provides free toner cartridge recycling with prepaid return boxes, helping customers to save money and reduce their carbon footprint.  

  

When she has to print Terra Bella marketing materials, Dotty uses 100 percent recycled paper from EcoGreenOffice.    

“Office Depot doesn’t offer that — 30 percent recycled, but not 100 percent recycled,” she says.      

Paper supplied through EcoGreenOffice is also made from 100 percent post-consumer content, helping to ensure that the paper is actually made from materials created by consumers that would otherwise end up in the landfill.     

     

Visit Terra Bella Vineyards' website for more information on their wine and the history of the vineyard.

Terra Bella Vineyards 2011.  Courtesy: Dotty Hopkins