Idaho wineries use various sustainable efforts in winemaking

Although Earth Day comes once a year as a reminder for people to be stewards of the planet, many businesses and organizations have put practices into place for sustainable operations year-round.

Among those making changes are Idaho’s wineries. The businesses do so by employing solar power, taking an organic approach to how they grow, and other sustainable practices.

“To protect and preserve Idaho land for future generations, many Idaho wineries are taking steps to lead the industry in sustainable viticulture,” the Idaho Wine Commission stated in a release. “Idaho wineries are making a difference in a variety of ways, including through respected third-party verifications.”

The IWC highlighted a number of wineries and how they are making their operations more sustainable.

In the area of solar power, Hells Canyon Winery in the Sunnyslope area is the first winery to use solar power in everyday operations, the IWC stated. It has an 18.8-kilowatt, photovoltaic system that consists of 64 south-facing solar panels to use for its energy needs.

Bitner Vineyards, 3100 Cellars and Kerry Hill Winery all hold the Low Input Vineyard and Enology (LIVE) sustainable certification along with the Salmon-Safe certification. “This designation focuses on reducing agricultural runoff, protecting water quality and promoting biodiversity on vineyard sites.”

Several wineries in the state are also classified as organic vineyards, such as Indian Creek in Kuna, Holesinsky Winery in Buhl and 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards in the Eagle foothills. According to IWC, Indian Creek has 20 acres of organically grown grapes, which “benefit from meticulous irrigation, canopy management and organic soil practices.”

Holesinsky Winery is a USDA Certified Organic Winery and has a strict no-synthetics philosophy, uses not glyphosates, chemical fertilizers, pesticides or fungicides., while 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards uses natural growing practices to cultivate its crops with minimal environmental impact.

Bitner Vineyards, Kerry Hill Winery and Indian Creek all also employ pollinator gardens and bee-friendly farming, IWC stated. Additionally, Kerry Hill uses biodiversity methods to “nurture pollinators, owls, bats and raptors — providing them with native plants, flowers and shelter. Kerry Hill is certified as a Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.”