Our business is based in nature, so we feel a responsibility to be good stewards of our land and our surrounding environment.
We are proud to have been recognized as the Greenest Winery In Virginia upon opening in 2010 and then again in 2015 and to have been awarded the Virginia Green Star Travel designation for most Innovative Green Program last year for our Sipping for Saplings initiative that enabled planting 2,000 trees
Our business is based in nature, so we feel a responsibility to be good stewards of our land and our surrounding environment.
We are proud to have been recognized as the Greenest Winery In Virginia upon opening in 2010 and then again in 2015 and to have been awarded the Virginia Green Star Travel designation for most Innovative Green Program last year, Sipping for Saplings that enabled planting of 2,000 trees.
Limiting our use of chemical sprays whenever possible and utilizing organic materials, biological methods, mating disruption pheromones and other means to protect the vines
Grow clover under vine rows to reduce herbicide use and absorb water that helps dampen vine vigor
Compost grape waste by-products for use in our fields and gardens.
Maintain a riparian buffer along the stream that adjoins the property.
Plant wildflowers adjacent to the vineyard to encourage beneficial insects.
Process winery wastewater using our own artificial wetland system that uses plants to filter the water of sugars and other matter
Use solar panels to generate green power for heating, cooling and lighting both in our tasting room and our winery, and also for processing grapes and making the wines.
Use reclaimed hardwoods from 100-year old barns on our property for the flooring and bar in our tasting room, through locally based Mountain Lumber Co .
Support a range of nonprofit organizations through wine donations, silent auction tour and tastings, use of our facilities and related ways to give back to the broader community.
Our sold out 2022 Farm to Table dinner raised $2500 for local 4-H programs to help support and train the next generation of local farmers.
Sponsor the innovative Sipping for Saplings program that gives away Virginia native Redbud trees to customers to plant at home – helping and enabling everyone to ‘do something’ and to get lots of kids involved tangibly with their parents (program in conjunction with Friends of the Rappahannock)
Use solar panels to generate green power for heating, cooling and lighting both in our tasting room and our winery, and also for processing grapes and making the wines.
Use reclaimed hardwoods from 100-year old barns on our property for the flooring and bar in our tasting room, through locally based Mountain Lumber Co .
Support a range of nonprofit organizations through wine donations, silent auction tour and tastings, use of our facilities and related ways to give back to the broader community.
Our sold out 2022 Farm to Table dinner raised $2500 for local 4-H programs to help support and train the next generation of local farmers.
Sponsor the innovative Sipping for Saplings program that gives away Virginia native Redbud trees to customers to plant at home – helping and enabling everyone to ‘do something’ and to get lots of kids involved tangibly with their parents (program in conjunction with Friends of the Rappahannock)
Use local products, such as cheeses, meats, chocolates and spring water, for our tasting room, with reliance on the Buy Fresh Buy Local program sponsored by the Piedmont Environmental Council.
Source locally: more than 90 percent of the capital value at DuCard comes from products, suppliers and tradesmen located within 100 miles of our property.
Eliminate the use of plastics in our tableware. Cups, knives and forks are made of fully biodegradable corn and potato based starches rather than petrochemicals, and plates are made from compostable recycled paper. All are US manufactured.
Eliminate plastic water bottles, a longstanding environmental goal globally. DuCard is the only Virginia winery to have done this. Through a partnership with Virginia Artesian Water we are using returnable, reusable glass bottles – similar to how the milkman delivered milk back in the day. See press release here for more details. News coverage here. Note 9/22: Program is on hold due to global supply chain issues – bottle availability and transportation. We hope to resume it in the future, with a needed critical mass of other local businesses.
Using wine bottles that are about 20% lighter than average, requiring less fuel for shipping.
Recycle wine bottle corks for use in flooring products through Re-Cork C’ville, an initiative of Carpet Plus in Charlottesville.
Supporting sustainability projects run by The Carbon Fund to offset our carbon footprint.
Ship wine to customers using no no styrofoam packaging, and using our exclusive shipping services provider Vinoshipper who is Certified Carbon Neutral.
Help train local people in vineyard operations and management through a season-long “adopt a row” Canopy Management class for the viticulture and enology program of Piedmont Virginia Community College.
Provide electric car charging through a partnership with TESLA (other brands can also be recharged) – complimentary for customers. We are only the second winery in VA to offer this (and yes, the power comes from our solar array) See Press Release.
The Madison Eagle recently highlighted DuCard’s continuing quest to be environmentally friendly, adding a Tesla charging station & enrolling in the Carbonfree program. See article
Provide electric car charging through a partnership with TESLA (other brands can also be recharged) – complimentary for customers. We are only the second winery in VA to offer this (and yes, the power comes from our solar array) See Press Release.
The Madison Eagle recently highlighted DuCard’s continuing quest to be environmentally friendly, adding a Tesla charging station & enrolling in the Carbonfree program. See article