We got it!!!
Today was a fabulous day - we received our official USDA organic certification! It's been three years in the making and we're thrilled this day has finally come. Read our press release below for more information:
Sokol Blosser Winery Receives Organic Certification
Notable Oregon Pinot producer continues to reinforce its environmental leadership
Dundee, OR – September 8, 2005 – Sokol Blosser Winery announced today that it has received full USDA organic certification from Oregon Tilth. The official recognition marks the latest acknowledgement of Sokol Blosser’s decades-long passion for producing top-quality wines with respect for the environment.
“Clearly, organic farming is better for the land. The soil, as a living entity, is more sustainable and there is no pollution from chemicals,� said Susan Sokol Blosser, president of Sokol Blosser Winery. “But it is also better for the vines, giving them a longer, healthier life. They become self-sufficient and better prepared to withstand the vagaries of Mother Nature.�
Additionally, the care taken to farm organically can improve the end product. “To be successful, organic growers must farm with a careful appreciation for the smallest detail,� said Sokol Blosser. “It involves a constant monitoring of the growing process, and every decision is critical. In the end, our grapes taste better, which allows us to craft superior wines.�
Sokol Blosser Winery has received consistent acclaim for its Pinot Noir, and recently released the first wine in Oregon to be labeled with the new “Dundee Hills� appellation, the Sokol Blosser 2002 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir.
As the vineyard’s manager, Susan Sokol Blosser was responsible for driving the lengthy transition period necessary to conform to the national organic standards. “After experiencing the arduous three-year conversion and application process,� she said, “ I have a deepened respect for all organic products and their producers.�
Sokol Blosser Winery, in Dundee, Oregon, continues to seek environmentally friendly and sustainable practices throughout its business, and has for many years. In 1996, it was the first winery to be certified “Salmon-Safe� by the Pacific Rivers Council.
The following year, Sokol Blosser joined LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology), a new international sustainable viticulture program run through Oregon State University. Most recently, in December 2002, it became the first winery in the world to receive the U.S. Green Building Council’s prestigious LEED certification for its new underground barrel cellar.
“We feel a sense of social responsibility in conducting our business and our lives the way we do,� Sokol Blosser said. “This is the only way we could imagine doing it. Not only are our methods healthier for the soil, the vines, and those of us who work in the vineyard, they also lead to better wines. This is the final test that proves the value of our considerable efforts.�