Fetzer Vineyards Honored a Second Time with Governor’s Award for Environmental & Economic Leadership

Fetzer Vineyards has been honored a second time by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger by earning a 2008 Governor’s Environmental & Economic Leadership Award. Fetzer was first recognized by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2003 for its pioneering sustainable practices.

Fetzer VP/General Manager Cindy DeVries and Fetzer Manager of Sustainability Ann Thrupp will accept the award in the new category of Enhanced Environmental & Economic Leadership during a ceremony held at the California EPA headquarters in Sacramento. Fetzer was the only winner in the category, acknowledging the winery’s continual performance and ongoing improvement in innovating new strategies of environmental and economic leadership.

“We’re pleased that the Governor realized that leadership means constantly striving to improve,” said DeVries. “Sustainability is not just a point of view, but a way of life, for everyone at Fetzer Vineyards. It’s the only way we know how to do business.”

The Governor’s awards, established in 1993, are California’s most prestigious environmental honor. California EPA Secretary Linda S. Adams, assisted by representatives from several state agencies, presented the awards in eight categories to a handful of California organizations that were honored for “sustaining economic development while protecting the environment and conserving natural resources.” The new category of Enhanced Leadership is specifically targeted at previous award winners.

Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to join the 21 award winners for further discussions during a reception at the Cal/EPA headquarters where Fetzer and Bonterra wines will be served.

Wine Institute President Bobby Koch recommended Fetzer to Governor Schwarzenegger, noting a long history of initiatives that “position Fetzer as a successful business model that demonstrates the sustainability practices the California wine industry promotes through its Sustainable Winegrowing Program. Karen Ross, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers agreed in her letter of support to the Governor, calling it an honor to add her “strong and enthusiastic support” for the award.

“Fetzer Vineyards is unique within the very competitive wine sector,” she explained. “Its core principle of willingness to share what it has learned and go beyond simply being a model to being actively engaged in the local and statewide wine community to help others has made a huge difference in advancing sustainable farming and winemaking practices in California.”

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-1st CA) called Fetzer “truly a leader and a maverick in the field” adding, “Fetzer continues to improve and set an example for the most environmentally progressive practices of any business that I know.”

“Representing a district that is rich in green practices, I am constantly impressed with how Fetzer Vineyards sets the bar,” said Congressman Thompson.

Fetzer was honored for a wide range of programs including hosting the wine industry’s largest solar array, a new effort to reduce the winery’s carbon footprint by using innovative lightweight glass in wine bottles, a zero waste approach to recycling and waste management, energy and water conservation, community involvement, and outreach in the wine industry to share best practices. For detailed information on these and other Earth Friendly Wines™ practices, visit Fetzer on the web at www.Fetzer.com

Fetzer Wines are marketed and produced by Brown-Forman Corporation, a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality consumer products, including Jack Daniel's, Early Times, Canadian Mist, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Fetzer , Bonterra, Sonoma-Cutrer and Bolla Wines, and Korbel California Champagnes.

For Ann Thrupp, Manager, Fetzer Sustainability [707] 744-7600 or Ann_Thrupp@B-F.com

We Make Our Wine Responsibly. Please Enjoy It Responsibly.

© 2008 Fetzer Vineyards, Hopland, Mendocino County, California USA

Photos from the Ceremony are available

For additional information visit http://www.calepa.ca.gov/awards/GEELA