April 19th – In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Quails’ Gate Winery is thrilled to announce our recent estate certification by Sustainable Winegrowing B.C. (SWBC), which recognizes our commitment to sustainable practices that prioritize environmental responsibility, equity and economic viability. This recognition complements our 2022 vineyard certification and makes Quails’ Gate the sixth winery in B.C. to achieve full certification.
As a family-owned business that spans three generations and more than a century of farming in the Okanagan Valley, we have a sense of responsibility for the land we operate on and its future. At Quails’ Gate, we have a long-standing tradition of using low-impact practices with a philosophy to do more with less, employing a holistic ecosystem management approach to grape growing, focusing on efficiency and waste reduction in our winemaking and sourcing seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients for Old Vines Restaurant.
“Environmental stewardship has always been one of the foundational pillars at Quails’ Gate. Our dedication to sustainability means we consistently apply best practices and ensure the prudent use of resources. By obtaining certification from SWBC, we can demonstrate our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and ensuring the long-term health of our communities. We feel a personal responsibility to protect this land for future generations to enjoy,” says Tony Stewart, CEO, Quails’ Gate Winery.
As proud members of SWBC’s program to pioneer sustainability certification in British Columbia, we are honoured to be recognized alongside grape growers and wineries across the province who are dedicated to making wine production sustainable now and for the future. To earn the certification, Quails’ Gate Estate underwent a rigorous third-party audit that assessed our performance in several key areas, including:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Soil and water management
- Energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction
- Waste reduction and recycling
- Ethical and social responsibility
The SWBC certification acknowledges that we are doing everything we can to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment and ensure we are providing not only a quality product but an environmentally responsible one as well.
“As winemakers, we take great care in crafting high-quality wines and part of that involves embracing sustainable practices to ensure the longevity of our vineyards and operations for generations to come. Our commitment to sustainability is not just a philosophy, it’s a way of life that reflects our respect for the Okanagan terroir we farm and our dedication to crafting exceptional wines with minimal impact on the planet,” says Jeff Del Nin, Senior Winemaker, Quails’ Gate Winery.
As an ongoing project of the B.C. Grape Council, SWBC not only manages sustainability certification but provides educational resources and training to help wineries throughout B.C. establish sustainable practices and measure continuous improvement.
“We congratulate Quails’ Gate Winery on achieving the SWBC certification for the estate winery to complement the vineyard certification achieved in 2022. As the sixth winery in the province to satisfy all criteria of the SWBC standards, this demonstrates the commitment of their entire team on this path of continuous improvement. An epic achievement coming from a pioneering family in our industry means the world to us”, says Ruth King, Program Manager, Sustainable Winegrowing B.C.
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we also have a long-standing partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to help protect the sensitive ecosystems of our province. Our support has contributed to the conservation of vital land, forest and habitat throughout B.C.’s southern interior and beyond to help build a stronger, more sustainable environment for future generations to come. To learn more, visit www.quailsgate.com.
About Quails’ Gate Winery
As one of Canada’s foremost family-owned and -operated estate wine producers, we are dedicated to crafting outstanding quality wines while offering memorable wine and food experiences. We strive to deliver exceptional guest experiences in our award-winning restaurant, at our luxurious lakefront accommodations and with every estate tour and wine tasting. For more information visit www.quailsgate.com.
