Soter Vineyards
Founded in: 1998
Website: sotervineyards.com
Specialties: Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wines, Rose, Cabernet Franc
What is an example of a small change we could all make to make the planet a better place? Recycle your wine bottles …there are thousands of small ways we can make a difference in our daily lives and they don’t involve cash outlays on hybrid cars ….ride your bike, tote a bag to the market, give up bottled water, support local farmers, teach your kids and their grandparents.
What does it mean for you to be a part of the OCSW movement? I have been an Organic farmer since the mid 80’s but now I need to be carbon warrior. I like the heightened challenge of carbon consciousness in addition to the good farming practices.
Farming organically is not enough for Tony Soter. The Oregon native, who has worked over 30 harvests in California and Oregon, is not satisfied with changing his own practices. Tony is actually working to convert grape growers to sustainable practices, through financial incentives and education.
“While our own vineyard is a certified sustainable property what motivates me today is getting more conventional farmers to be part of the solution,” says Soter. “So in addition to our Soter Vineyards label our newest project is the North Valley label. With this vehicle we will be buying grapes from other growers and both insisting and aiding them in growing to certified sustainable standards.”
Many growers are using sustainable practices, but Tony is a firm believer in third-party certification. “I have long held that one of the elements of a commitment is to certify with a third party. Submitting yourself to others’ scrutiny is harder than doing the right kind of farming. This is why it’s so valuable. It’s too easy to talk green,” explains Soter. Soter Vineyards dates its certified sustainable activities to 1998 the year after they acquired their first vineyard in Oregon. Tony’s prior involvements with Organic viticulture go back to 1985 in California.
While Soter has gained much knowledge over the years, he admits that he has more to learn. “Doing nothing and watching the natural forces of biological balance control an insect population has been an inspiring success. My greatest failure to date is an ill timed mowing of much sought after wild flowers. I was much less successful trying to balance the needs of flowers against the aggressively growing rye grass. This is an example of intervention that is not always welcome and at least has to be informed by a better understanding of the natural forces at work. In this I have much to learn.”
Soter is confident that all of these efforts are worthwhile. “I know our wines are going to provide uncommon pleasure for people I have confidence in the quality of the wines and their power to provide pleasure. What I want, in addition, is for people to feel that they can feel good about consuming our wines, knowing that they are made from pure unadulterated fruit and made in a manner that has been as good for the earth as it is for their health and community.”