LiveGreenNOW

Californians have been driving hybrid vehicles and riding their bikes along the coast, on up through the wineries of the Central Coast for years. Always first to embrace the eco-conscious, locals and eco-tourists alike are now biking through the Santa Barbara Wine Country to seek out and sample organically or biodynamically grown grapes. Little wonder that green tasting rooms have brought sustainable sipping to a full 360.

Feaux-green interiors filled with celadon, jade, sage decor have nothing on the state-of-the-art structures that reflect a conscious decision to reduce, reuse, and recycle in every facet of structure and design. Commercially, it is now even simpler to be green with earth-friendly furnishings, textiles, and design (need help? Check out our local greens page).

At The Bench Tasting Room in Los Olivos, California, reclaimed teak flooring, salvaged oak beams for the bar, a heating and A/C system that runs at 94 percent efficiency, use of glues and paints with low-to-zero VOC emissions, and furniture upholstered with soy foam have set the bar for good green taste.

Stolpman Vineyards recently deconstructed a 100-year-old house and either resold, recycled, or donated to Habitat for Humanity the scrap and excess building materials to raise the bar in their new green tasting room. Natural linoleum made from linseed oil in the bathroom, reclaimed rubber behind the counter, LED lighting, formaldehyde-free insulation, and wood approved by the Forest Stewardship Council for sustainable growth help set a new standard for sophisticated construction and presentation.

The wine world is reducing its carbon footprint, and LGNO is happy to report that nobody will be “wining” about it.

Top 5 Wine Tastings on your next trip to the Central Coast

The Bench: MUST TRY 2006 Byron Sierra Madre Pinot Noir & 2007 Cambria Winery Clone 667 Pinot Noir  ~ FOR THE CELLAR 2005 Byron Historic Vines Chardonnay & 2005 Io Upper Bench

Santa Barbara Winery & Lafond Winery: MUST TRY 2005 Santa Barbara Primitivo & 2006 Lafond Pinot Noir Martin Ray Clone ~ FOR THE CELLAR 2004 Santa Barbara Lagrein & 2005 Lafond Vineyard Pinot Noir

Dierberg & Star Lane Vineyards: MUST TRY 2006 Dierberg Estate Chardonnay & 2006 Star Lane Estate Merlot ~ FOR THE CELLAR 2006 Dierberg Estate Syrah & 2005 Star Lane Estate “Astral” Cabernet Sauvignon

Demetria Estate: MUST TRY 2006 Demetria Estate Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills & 2006 Demetria Estate Pinot Noir “Jours de Bonheur” Sta. Rita Hills ~ FOR THE CELLAR 2005 Demetria Estate Syrah Santa Ynez Valley & 2006 Demetria Estate Pinot Noir “Cuvee Sandra” Sta. Rita Hills

Roblar Winery & Vineyards: MUST TRY 2008 Sauvignon Blanc & 2005 Estate Merlot ~ FOR THE CELLAR 2007 Susich Syrah & 2006 Merlot

This entry was posted on Monday, September 28th, 2009 at 11:59 pm and is filed under Eco Travel, Green Growth. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.