Sonoma County Sustainability Leaders Celebrate Earth Month and Eco-Conscious Travel
As the most sustainable wine region in the world and one of California’s most diverse natural destinations, Sonoma County has much to celebrate throughout Earth Month. Sonoma County invites visitors to revitalize their spirits with restorative experiences that also honor the planet.
As a destination stewardship organization, Sonoma County Tourism empowers travelers to do their part by signing the “Travel Kindly” pledge and also reviewing The Safe Travels Promise when visiting.
Tension Finds Release
Rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, a Japanese-style oasis nestled between river and coast, redwoods and vineyards in the relaxing hamlet of Freestone. Meditate in the soothing gardens created by founder Michael Stusser, who learned traditional gardening practices in Kyoto. Visitors can relieve joint pain and clean their skin with a cedar enzyme bath mixture that is reused as a mulch mixture for the Zen gardens and neighboring businesses. As a founding member of the Green Spa Network, their sustainability practices include providing skin care products free of carcinogens, installing solar thermal hot water collectors and working with local craftspeople for the recycled driftwood, organic textiles and non-toxic plants throughout their sanctuary.
Sipping Meets Sustainability
In 2019, 99 percent of Sonoma County’s vineyard acres became certified sustainable. Today, winegrowers continue to innovate with the Climate Adaptation Certification Program, the world’s first agriculture program of its kind. Join the Sonoma County Vintners & Sonoma County Winegrowers for an Earth Day Webinar moderated by Wine Enthusiast’s Virginie Boone to learn more about sipping sustainably.
Endeavor on an educational excursion, tasting and picnic with Jordan Winery’s Earth Week Vineyard Hikes to get a first look at their new pollinator sanctuaries, which are creating a habitat for the endangered Western monarch butterfly. Taste the wines at Medlock Ames and explore the 338-acre Bell Mountain Ranch, where winemaker Ames Morison preserved 80 percent as lush wildlands for the health of our ecosystem and uses 20 percent of the land for organic agricultural production (with new regenerative farming techniques rolling out). Cheer on their partnership with Sonoma County Gleaners, where hundreds of pounds of fresh produce from their gardens have already been donated to local families. At Deerfield Ranch Winery, inspire your palate with the bright and tasty Checkerbloom Rosé while marveling at the fine art for sale, and rest easy knowing those proceeds fund the restoration of the Kenwood Marsh and its endangered flowering pink Checkerbloom plant.
On Earth Day, celebrate virtually with A Toast to the Earth wine tasting, conversation and tour of vineyards that are protecting the planet, hosted by Iron Horse Vineyards and Jackson Family Wines in partnership with EarthDay.org. Discover more activities for your virtual or in-person visit at our Calendar of Events.
Advocating for Agriculture and Preserving Open Space
Sonoma Ag + Open Space invites visitors to honor Earth Day with the “Restore Our Earth'' Family Scavenger Hunt, which will help fund their preservation of working, natural, and scenic lands in Sonoma County. Connect with the land at more than 60 regional and wilderness preserves, leave your technology behind for a rejuvenating forest bathing excursion, or support the Forever Forest Campaign’s flagship project - the Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve. As the largest old-growth redwood forest, nestled in the wooded hills along the Sonoma coast, this will be the newest gem on California’s crown of redwood parks, providing inspiration, recreation, and clean air and water.
Treat yourself to a nourishing culinary exploration of springtime farm experiences. Get a behind-the-scenes look at local makers and farmers in action, newly birthed farm animals, blooming flower fields, and a taste of the unique artisanal products with Sonoma County’s interactive map of farm trails. Savor the local bounty through creations by renowned chefs at one of the many farm-to-table restaurants boasting vibrant seasonal menus. This practice of transporting small distances ensures peak flavor, but consumes less fuel and releases fewer carbon emissions as ingredients are transported.
Staying in (Sustainable) Style
Retreat to Sonoma County’s Kind Hotels through Kind Traveler, the first socially conscious “Give and Get” hotel booking and education platform. Guest donations go directly to local charities like Redwood Empire Food Bank, Russian Riverkeeper, or the Sonoma Land Trust, which turns the act of visiting into an act of conservation.
Lend a hand while staying at The Gables Wine Country Inn, and learn the importance of gleaning with Farm to Pantry. This local non-profit works to cultivate good health and community by rescuing locally grown food and sharing with those in need. The Come and Glean With Us experience running from May through October offers visitors a rewarding experience in the fields, followed by a signature Sonoma County style lunch,highlighting delicious fresh local ingredients, paired with wine at the inn.
Explore more experiences in Sonoma County for Earth Month and beyond.
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Experience Sonoma County, where Life Opens Up. Just as wine “opens up” when it’s allowed to breathe, Sonoma County inspires visitors to open up to new experiences. Just 30 miles north of San Francisco, Sonoma County is one of the world’s most progressive food and wine destinations and is home to more than 425 wineries ranging from small family-owned properties to global brands. Visitors also can explore stunning natural resources while hiking among towering redwoods, cruising the rugged Pacific coastline, and discovering inviting small towns. More information can be found at SonomaCounty.com.