Hard Row to Hoe’s Commitment to Sustainability

Here at Hard Row to Hoe, we are passionate and committed to environmental sustainability. Our owners Don and Judy Phelps care deeply about the land and the surrounding watershed of Lake Chelan, an environment at the heart of their closely held stewardship philosophy. As we begin a new year, we are excited to share with you all the ways you can partner with us to support a healthy Earth!

Sustainable Winegrowing

As a demonstration of their commitment to the land and water, Hard Row to Hoe’s estate vineyard on Ivan Morse Road was the first LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology). Since 1999, LIVE has independently certified the sustainable practices of winegrowers in the Pacific Northwest, using the latest in university research and internationally accredited standards. We are honored to have received this certification. 

Wine Industry Recycling

We are often asked, are wine bottles recyclable? Our answer is an enthusiastic, yes! We are so lucky to have local organization, 911 Glass, in the Chelan Valley. Operating as a community service of the Rotary Club of Lake Chelan, the mission of 911 Glass is to “rescue” used glass from the landfill. It is estimated that each year Americans dispose of 9-11 million tons of glass, mostly as trash even though glass is easily recycled and repurposed into useful new products. At 911 glass, they partner with the City of Chelan to use repurposed glass for public works projects. So, grab your empty Hard Row to Hoe wine bottles and scoot on down to 911 Glass on Saturday day mornings to recycle. 

We hope that you will join us as partners in our commitment to environmental sustainability. The future of our planet and the humans who populate it depend on the preservation of resources to guarantee clean air, water, and wildlife for future generations. Hard Row to Hoe is honored to play a part in the protection of these resources.