Amity Vineyards

Founded in: 1974
Website: amityvineyards.com
Specialties: Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc
What unusual item would we find in your compost pile? Olive pits from our first crop of Olives harvested in December 2008: 26 lbs! I helped prove that Oregon could grow world class Pinot Noir now I am out to help prove that we can grow Olives here.
What was the biggest surprise about sustainable practices? That so many of them are win/win. The sustainable practice in many cases not only improves the Environment, but can save money. An example would be my experiment to replace mechanical or chemical weed control under vines with a permanent low impact cover crop. Once the investment is made you save money every year.

Eco Wine Producer Continues Pushing the Sustainability Envelope

As producer of Amity Eco-Wine, Oregon’s first organic, sulfite-free Pinot Noir, Myron Redford is used to being a little ahead of the curve. An early proponent of organic farming and a founding member of the LIVE program, Redford is a pioneer of both Oregon winemaking and sustainable winegrowing.

myron-in-the-vineyard-2 Redford, owner/winemaker of Amity Vineyards, says his sustainable efforts began in the 1980s, when he began experimenting with ground cover to eliminate the need to use herbicides on the vines.

“Mondavi’s vineyard manager at the time came to visit, and we walked through the rows and discussed the benefits of cover crops,” he says.

Redford also was committed to experimenting with re-washed glass and started using this in the late 80s, but was forced to abandon this pursuit when the supply of re-washed glass vanished .

A political and environmental activist since the 1970s, Redford says that we all have a responsibility to the global community .

“Climate change is terrifying,” Redford says. “We’re headed toward a tipping point and catastrophic places but right now they are just words and threats. People don’t think the problem is pressing enough, but those of us who are looking at the world see how critical it is to take the necessary steps.”

For Amity Vineyards, this means participating in Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski’s Carbon Neutral Challenge and investigating the human side of sustainability, including advocating universal health care.

Redford and his wife Vikki’s commitment to sustainability is something that they hope is translated in their wines.

“We must look at the total picture instead of a narrow, ideological lens,” Redford says. “First, we want consumers to have a hedonistic experience with our wine. Wine is about giving people pleasure and enjoyment. But we want to provide a product that is environmentally responsible. Having a sustainable logo on the bottle that means something will help Oregon wineries clarify the message.”

Order Oregon Certified Sustainable Wines

2009 Amity Vineyards Chardonnay
2009 Amity Vineyards Dry Riesling
2009 Amity Vineyards Gewürztraminer
2009 Amity Vineyards Wedding Dance Riesling