With the summer sun shining bright, perhaps nothing is more rejuvenating than a glass of fruity, floral, and fresh rosé. While enjoying this chilled pink fermented juice in the great outdoors, it’s also good manners to respect our host: nature. Nature is what makes summer the most pleasant time of the year, and thanks to nature, we have wine. With that in mind, sustainable winemaking can go a long way to assuring minimized impact on the Earth. Here are 10 fantastic rosés from wineries with sustainable practices.
Wine Art Estate Pink Bang 2016, Drama, Greece
Located in the region of Drama, Greece, Wine Art Estate has been using integrated viticulture since 2014. The winery mainly uses copper sprayings for pests, resorting to chemical treatment only as a last resort. The Pink Bang is not a typical Greek rosé. This Provence-style wine is made with the Portuguese Touriga Nacional grape. It has a mesmerizing pale pink hue and a very complex taste, which is a balance of fruity and spicy. The name takes its inspiration from the Big Bang, as this is similarly an explosion of pink flavors and colors in a bottle. $22-$30
Mezzacorona Rosé, Trentino, Italy
Using the “sexual confusion” method, Mezzacorona winery manages to limit insect reproduction, and pest control is further bolstered with copper and sulfur. The winery is on its way to being fully energy self-sufficient, and uses drip irrigation to save water. Their rosé is made from the local Lagrein grape, creating a crisp sip that has a dark watermelon color and dark fruit notes. $9.99
Raimat Rosé, DO Costers del Segre, Spain
Raimat winery controls pests with the sexual confusion method and powers a fifth of its electricity through photovoltaic panels. It has been certified by the Catalan Council of Integrated Production and the Bureau Veritas for its sustainable production. As for its rosé, it is so exquisite that it keeps the winery economically sustainable. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo, this aromatic, sweet and crisp wine smells like candied roses. The scent is so enchantingly fragrant, it’s like holding a bouquet in a glass. $12
Ciù Ciù Rosato, Marche, Italy
Located in the Marche region of Italy, Ciù Ciù winery is certified organic and vegan on top of being sustainable. They don’t use chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, or pesticides, and the cycle of energy is circular as they use pomace (waste from crushed grapes) for electricity. The rosé is an alluring pink color made with Sangiovese and Montelpulciano grapes. There is a strong, rosy and cherry aroma that makes it a delight to drink in the warm summer months. $15
Esporão Defesa Rosé, Alentejo, Portugal
This family-owned winery is sustainably farmed through various practices such as using green manures for green nitrogen fertilization. It is taking the steps to be organic by 2021. Their rosé is made from Syrah and Aragonez (Tempranillo) grapes, producing a vibrant pink color with a complex wine that is high in acidity and minerality. $14
Palmer Vineyards Rosé Merlot 2016, Long Island, NY
Established on the North Folk of Long Island in 1983, Palmer Vineyards implements sustainable farming practices. What makes their rosé unique is that it is created solely from Merlot grapes. Slightly citrusy in both color and flavor, this rosé has an effervescence that makes it perfect for a hot Hamptons summer. And if you are drinking in the Northeast of the U.S., then this bottle is also local, which makes it extra eco-friendly. $20
Grgich Hills Estate Rosé 2016, Napa Valley
This winery has been sustainable since its inception in 1977 and is now also certified organic. They’re exploring new ground this year with the launch of their first ever rosé. A blend made with many grapes but mostly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this dry and full-bodied rosé is reminiscent of the wines of the French coast. $25
Bloomer Creek Vineyard, Dry Rosé Pétillant Naturel Wine 2015, Finger Lakes, NY
Bloomer Creek creates lovely natural wines without the use of herbicides and mechanical weed control, and the grapes are hand-picked. Their Dry Rosé Petillant is made with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to create a crisp and refreshing wine. The final fermentation is in the bottle and it’s not disgorged, which leaves a distinctive opaque color. $25
Stemmari Rosé, Sicily, Italy
As the first Italian winery to be honored with the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, Stemmari Winery is committed to sustainability in winemaking. Along with using sexual confusion to limit pests, it also has solar panels to heat water and is almost fully energy independent. Their accessible rosé is made with the Sicilian varietal Nero d’Avola, creating a pale strawberry color as if crushed from strawberry juice, and notes that match those colors. $9.99
Chateau d’Esclans, Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence
Lovers of the insanely popular Whispering Angel rosé will be pleased to learn that Château d’Esclans uses natural and gentle sprays on their crop. They also limit their usage of water, and disinfect the stainless steel tanks with hot water rather than abrasive cleaning solvents. As for the famous taste, the wine is known for its glossy feel made from Grenache, Rolle, and Cinsault grapes. $22
