REX HILL
Founded in: 1982
Website: rexhill.com
Specialties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay
What is an example of a small change we could all make to make the planet a better place?
Boycott corn syrup. It’s the base for so many health problems for both farms and people.
What unusual item would we find in your compost?
We no longer compost because we have longhorn shetland cows at our home. We give them everything that we used to compost and they process it immediately. We usually throw in some goodies too.
Quietly Creating Large Scale Changes in Oregon’s Wine Industry
Anyone who knows Deb Hatcher, A to Z Wineworks/REX HILL’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, will tell you that she is never at a loss for words. Yet, she and her partners choose not to highly promote their sustainability story, to keep the focus on the quality of their wines.
Since the company’s inception, the partners at A to Z Wineworks/REX HILL have made decisions with future generations in mind. “When we make decisions, we think about not only our children, but their children and beyond. We try to take actions that improve the world for our children’s great grandchildren,” says Hatcher.
A to Z Wineworks/REX HILL has strongly encouraged all of the 90 vineyards that they purchase grapes from to farm sustainably and gain third-party certification, not only for their descendents, but because they believe that sustainable farming creates better grapes, leading to higher quality wines. In many cases, A to Z has compensated the vineyards for the extra cost and effort needed to become certified.
Many of A to Z’s business values are derived from Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamic philosophies. “In biodynamics, you have a very large area of responsibility,” explains Hatcher, “you not only need to take out less than you return, but you must also care for everything on your property, running from the center of the earth out the edge of the universe.” Therefore A to Z’s efforts do not stop at the vineyard. A to Z has retrofitted their buildings to be significantly more energy and resource efficient. Their packaging has been converted to recycled materials. They have planted a robust organic garden for their employees, which is only one of the many employee benefits. “Sustainability is not just about the land and the buildings,” says Hatcher, “it’s about the people too. Employees need to have a safe and fun place to work. We check in with our employees regularly to ensure that they are fulfilled in their employment.”
Yet, A to Z doesn’t tout their efforts. “We aren’t doing this so that we can put a logo on our bottles,” Hatcher explains. “ We’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do.”
Order Oregon Certified Sustainable Wines
2008 REX HILL Jacob Hart Pinot Noir
2008 REX HILL Alloro Vineyard Pinot Noir
2008 REX HILL Sims Vineyard Pinot Noir
2009 Francis Tannahill Hermit Pinot Noir
2009 REX HILL Jacob Hart Pinot Gris
2009 REX HILL Jacob Hart Pinot Noir
2009 REX HILL La Colina Pinot Noir
2009 REX HILL Reserve Pinot Noir
2009 REX HILL Roserock Pinot Noir
2009 William Hatcher Pinot Noir