The Coturri Wineryis run by Tony Corturri in the Sonoma Valley. The winery has been producing organic wines ever since it was founded in 1979. Tony’s brother, Phil, tends several vineyard in the surrounding area and grows the grapes used for the wines. The Coturri wines are made without any sulfites or other additives/preservatives. In video #2 on his blog, Tony discusses sulfites as well as the issue of truth in labeling. Currently, wines are not required to list their ingredients, so consumers have no idea what they are putting into their bodies. However, one of the requirements for a wine to be certified organic is that it contain no sulfites. Being in the organic wine business is especially difficult because the demand for organic wines is very small.
Tony Coturri in one of his vineyards
Recently, many other farmers in the Sonoma Valley have also begun to practice more sustainable methods. While most winemakers have not become certified organic, they have been implementing alternative solutions to pest control, such as bats and owls. Many farmers have also planted nitrogen fixing crops, such as beans, between the vines, eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Reference
“Organic and Sustainable Wine Production Expanding Rapidly in California” http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/wine012104.cfm
