Sustainably Grown Wine at Our Oregon Winery

Running water: A quiet stream runs through the gulley in forested quiet of Bethel Heights Vineyard.
Soaking up the sun: Our solar panels return about 40% of our electricity, powering the winery and two family homes on the vineyard property.
Stewards of the land: Sustainability figures into many parts of winery life at Bethel Heights, from plants and grasses allowed to thrive naturally to our Solar Nation solar panels that help keep our electricity in the family.

Sustainably Grown Wine

At times it makes us uncomfortable to say that our wines are certified sustainable at Bethel Heights when it is clear that there are many aspects of sustainability that we have not even addressed, let alone achieved.

At the most basic level, grapes are an agricultural product, which both give and take from their environment. As growers and winemakers, we have an impact on the land around us, and we strive to respect and protect our vineyards and surroundings.

Ted Casteel is one of the co-founders of Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE) in Oregon, and the Casteel family has been instrumental in establishing LIVE Certification throughout Oregon. Bethel Heights estate wines have been certified LIVE since 1999.

In 2008 the Oregon Wine Board launched the Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine (OCSW) program to communicate the shared principles of the Oregon wine industry's commitment to responsible, sustainable vineyard and winery practices. Bethel Heights estate wines starting carrying the OCSW logo in 2008.

As a contribution to clean watersheds, Bethel Heights Vineyard was one of the first vineyards to be certified Salmon Safe in 1997. This certification represents our commitment to helping native salmon have the safest water possible to live and reproduce.

And, in an ongoing effort to reduce our carbon footprint, we partnered with Solar Nation to install a 60-kilowatt solar panel system in 2010. It allows us to supply approximately 40% of our own energy needs.

Our Sustainable Organizations

Salmon Safe

Established by the Pacific Rivers Council, Salmon Safe encourages and recognizes farming practices that help keep Oregon's streams and rivers clean. Salmon Safe certification is now incorporated into the requirements of the LIVE program and the OCSW program.
Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine (OCSW)

The three major certified sustainability practices currently used in Oregon viticulture and winemaking are LIVE, organic, and biodynamic. OCSW does not recreate the wheel for certification, but rather offers wineries currently holding and maintaining one of the approved third-party certifications the chance to use the OCSW brand on their label. This "umbrella" logo guarantees that these wines were made using responsible agriculture and responsible winemaking, both certified by an independent third party.

Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE)
- Consider the farm as a whole system and take responsibility for the health and long-term viability of the whole farm, not just the crop.
- Reduce or eliminate the use of off-farm inputs, especially synthetic inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, fuel, plastic, etc.).
- Promote and maintain a high level of biological diversity on the farm.
- Promote and maintain soil stability, health, and fertility.
- Conserve natural resources, including soil, water, energy, and wildlife habitat.
- Protect the health and well-being of the farmer, the farmworkers, and the community.

Sustainably Grown Wine at Our Oregon Winery | Bethel Heights

We are proud of the progress towards sustainability that we have made at our vineyard and in the Oregon wine industry since the family arrived in 1977. There are three major programs we participate in as we continue our journey of sustainability.

Sustainably Grown Wine

Our Sustainable Organizations

Salmon Safe

Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine (OCSW)

Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE)

Visit the Winery

Our Kitchen and Sustainability