Columbia Ridge Winery's Reusable Bottles & Green Steps

0:00It's April 8th, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Vancouver News today, your AI-powered local news. Columbia Ridge Winery and Ridgefield just dropped their first batch of reusable wine bottles back in March, marking a big move towards sustainability. Owners Angela and Thomas Sanchez bought the 10 acre spot in 2011 and have layered in eco-friendly steps ever since. These bottles from Reveno can get reused up to 50 times, and they're one of the few spots in southwest Washington offering them. The couple got hooked after a winery meeting demo, waiting for the right shapes and colors to match their lineup. Customers return empties to the winery, or drop off points, get them cleaned and checked, then refilled. Columbia Ridge even gives a $1 credit on future buys for any Reveno bottle, no matter the source, and they're sport a leaf pattern to shout out. The Green Vibe, it all started casual. They planted grapes along the driveway just for looks, harvested three years later, and made garage wine for family.

1:00Switching to Marshal Foschgraves paid off big, they're tough against cold, ripen early to be fall rains and resist diseases, slashing the need for, pesticides and herbicides that harm wildlife. They amped up with a 2021 solar array on the roof, cranking enough juice to cover the whole operation year round, plus extra for an EV. Harder that wine maker Greg Meyer and club members use. Bark chips around vines keep weeds and check without chemicals, keeping things as natural as possible. Looking ahead, the Sanchez is aimed to scale the business while eyeing the next green upgrade, proving small steps built a lasting eco-legacy in wine, country.