The wine tourism industry is about to have an impressive growth as more people are planning to go on trips that will allow them to engage with wine culture. According to the latest data, the global wine tourism market is projected to rise from $95 million in 2024 to more than $332 million by 2034. Experts also say that sustainability is going to be a pivotal theme in the industry in the coming years as an increasing number of wineries have become more eco-friendly to appeal to environmentally conscious travelers.

It’s expected that some wine regions across the world will be focusing on water conservation, organic farming, recycling waste, and using renewable energy sources. However, travelers should also find ways to make their trips more sustainable and reduce their environmental impact. Fortunately, there are some wine travel strategies that you can use to green your experience. Here are some smart ways to make your wine travel adventures more sustainable. 

Visit Green-Certified Wineries and Vineyards

Crafting meaningful travel experiences has become a priority, and many tourists have started adopting sustainable travel practices to make their trips more purposeful. If you’re thinking about traveling to a wine region this year, consider visiting a green-certified winery or vineyard to add value and purpose to your experience. Many vineyards claim to be eco-friendly, but some of them overly exaggerate their ecological contributions and achievements. To know for sure if a winery is sustainable, do your research and see if they’re certified by a neutral third party.

When planning your trips, some sustainable wine certifications or seals that you need to be on the lookout for include Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW), Sustainability in Practice (SIP), Lodi Rules, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), among others. Many vineyards in Sonoma such as Abbe, A. Rafanelli, and Alexander Valley have been certified by the CCSW, while a large contingent of Santa Barbara wineries have been SIP-certified. Meanwhile, LEED-certified wineries can be found in various parts of the world, and these include Bodega Garzon in Uruguay, Tantalus in British Columbia, and Beronia Rioja in La Rioja, Spain.

Rent an Eco-Conscious Vehicle 

Traveling to a wine region like Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Tuscany, or Sonoma Valley allows you to visit multiple wineries in one day and get a taste of each one’s wine specialties. Since you’ll need a car to go from one winery to the other, consider using an eco-conscious vehicle, like a hybrid or an electric vehicle, since it allows you to reduce your carbon footprint while you’re out and about. You can find vehicle rental companies in many wine regions, and they also provide drivers since drinking and driving is a no-no, even if you’re just having a few sips of vino during your stay. If you’re renting a car, ask if they have hybrid or EV models, or at the very least, choose a fuel-efficient vehicle if low emission cars aren’t being offered.

Bring Reusable Essentials

Staying hydrated is a must when you’re going on a wine tasting tour or while walking in the vineyards on a warm day. That glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Riesling that you just sampled won’t do the trick though, so always have some water to sip in between glasses of wine. Instead of buying bottled water, use a reusable water bottle and stash it in your bag before visiting a winery. Refill it as often as you need throughout the day.

You may also want to bring a few sturdy fabric bags on your travels if you’re planning to purchase some wine to take home. This way, you get to reduce your paper and plastic consumption, and you can use the bags to protect your wine bottles from breaking. Simply place one bottle in each bag, fill the spaces with socks, scarves, and clean underwear, then pack them in between your clothes inside a hard-sided suitcase to keep them safe until you get home. 

Traveling to wine regions is going to be highly popular in the coming years. To offset all that environmental damage from travel, make your wine tour adventures more sustainable by following the tips above. Remember to drink responsibly, respect the environment, and appreciate the efforts of wine producers to make your experience more meaningful and special. 

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