S3E19: How a large winemaker thinks about sustainability—with Steve Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

As a consumer who cares about climate change, you may be shopping for organic, local, or even regenerative food products. But does your support of sustainable agriculture extend to wine?

How does a winemaker earn the certified sustainable distinction? And what does sustainable viticulture look like?

Steve Lohr is President and CEO of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, a winemaking operation with vineyards in Monterey County, Paso Robles, and Napa Valley, California. J. Lohr is dedicated to sustainability and the environment, and Steve’s team earned the 2020 Green Medal Leader Award from the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Steve joins Ross to discuss J. Lohr’s sustainability practices, describing how an operation of scale can make large investments in sustainable practices in an attempt to move the needle, and why Steve believes in sustainability at any size of business. How much of a business attempting sustainability is cost-saving and how much is brand value?

Listen in for insight on how installing a solar tracking array reduced J. Lohr’s electric bill by an order of magnitude and get Steve’s advice on how to get started with drinking sustainable wines.

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Resources

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

J. Lohr’s Sustainability Initiatives

J. Lohr on Twitter

J. Lohr on Instagram

Paul Wagner on Reversing Climate Change S3EP10

Other Homes and Garbage: Designs for Self-Sufficient Living by Jim Leckle, Gill Masters, Harry Whitehouse and Lily Young

California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance

Vineyard Team

LODI RULES

Napa Green

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J. Lohr’s Certified Sustainable Merlot