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International News
Redelmeier had expanded his vineyard property to the construction material manufactured within 800
150-acres. By 2010, Southbrook Vineyards became km of the site. The winery used all of the excavat-
the first winery in Canada to be completely certi- ed soil during its build elsewhere on the vineyard.
fied organic, biodynamic and sustainable in both its They even enacted an extensive program during
vineyard and winemaking practices. construction to separate waste materials from con-
struction waste, maximizing recycling and minimiz-
Being organic and biodynamic, the winery does ing trips to the landfill.
not use any synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizer,
bioengineering or genetically modified organisms. The building itself was built to be as efficient as
Instead, they use an all-natural approach in the possible. Designed by renowned architect Jack
vineyard, emphasizing the relationship between Diamond of Diamond and Schmitt Architects, the
the plants, soil and wildlife, and treating them as building utilizes features like large insulated glass
a single living entity. This low impact method of windows to trap warm air and provide excellent
viticulture focuses on nourishing the soil and the natural light, reducing the need for artificial light-
surrounding environment. For soil fertility, the ing. The winery staff enjoys 95% natural light in
winery relies on sheep fed with organically grown their work areas as a result of these windows,
hay. They do not rely on irrigation at all. They use shaded from the sun by a large overhang to mini-
specially prepared composts, incorporate their own mize heat. The outdoor lights of the building shine
blend of herbal teas into the soil, and align their downward to reduce light pollution and avoid the
farming activities with lunar energy in an attempt risk of affecting migratory patterns of birds in the
to interfere with the natural environment as little area. The reflective roof reduces heat radiation
as possible. In 2008, the 75-acres of Southbrook into and off the building, which, in turn, reduces
Vineyards became certified by Demeter, the inter- dependency on electricity and minimize the impact
national body that oversees biodynamic agricul- on the environment.
ture, joining the elite ranks of other prestigious
Demeter certified wineries, including Benziger The winery also does not operate on the town’s
Family Wineries in California and Domaine Zind- sewage line. They treat wastewater onsite through
Humbrecht in Alsace. The winery believes the result a wetland filtration system and then disperse this
of these biodynamic practices is beautiful, vibrant purified water back into the ecosystem. They utilize
wine that is a true expression of its terroir. low flow fixtures inside and outside of the facilities,
and they added a bioswale, which uses native wet-
Not only is Southbrook biodynamic and organic, land plants to break down pollution in the rainwa-
their tasting room and winemaking facility are also ter that drains from the parking lot and driveway.
designed to be as green as possible. Southbrook By the time the water flows back into the town’s
is certified sustainable “from soil to shelf” by municipal system, it is entirely potable.
Sustainable Winemaking Ontario, an organization
that inspects every aspect of a winery’s opera- Outside its property, Southbrook maintains
tion from viticulture and water management to 15-acres of untouched forestland surrounding the
energy use. The facility is the first winery in the vineyard specifically for wildlife and uses “natu-
world to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and ral buffer zones” within the winery property to
Environmental Design) Gold Award for its design. ensure that the local flora and fauna still have a
space to thrive. The winery is certified bee-friendly
It’s no wonder they were awarded this designa- and hosts beehives onsite to encourage the polli-
tion; Southbrook’s entire operation was designed nation of local orchards as well as the production
with these standards in mind. The process start- of honey, which the winery sells on their web-
ed with sourcing as many materials as possible site. They have planted native wildflowers on the
from local businesses and using as many recycled property to encourage bees, butterflies and other
materials as possible in the design. The building is crucial pollinators to visit. They have even made
made from 15% recycled materials, with 20% of homes on the property for birds and small flying
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