CERTIFICATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Dominion Vineyards is a Certified Sustainable Vineyard from New York State Wine and Grape Foundation’s (NYWGF) new VineBalnce 2022 program. South Dominion was accepted into the NYWGF’s Sustainability Pilot Program in the spring of 2022.  Fewer than ten percent of the New York wineries were accepted into this pilot program and South Dominion is proud to be counted among them. Our vineyard practices remain non-dogmatic, reflecting the fact that we grow wine grapes in an area of the world that until about 25 years ago, the wine world did not think was possible. Our commitment to sustainability requires to adopt best management practices that minimize environmental impacts, reduce economic risks, and protect worker health and safety.

VineBalance Objectives:

•    To promote the use of practices that reduce reliance on off-farm. 

•    To build, regenerate, and conserve healthy soils for future generations.

•    To protect surrounding reservoirs and waterways from pollution.

•    To improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

•    To conserve natural resources, reduce waste streams, and recycle.

•    To encourage healthy ecosystems, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat.

•    To increase climate resiliency and promote climate-smart farming.

•    To provide education and pathways for continuous improvement.

•    To foster a socially equitable and economically viable industry.

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Viticulture in New York and the Northeast is diverse. Our wine grape varieties are drawn from three general classes of cultivars - native Vitis labrusca type grapes, Vitis vinifera, and interspecific hybrids (also known as ‘Franco-American Hybrids’). 

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                       ​                                   New York Grown and Certified

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​The New York State Grown & Certified seal indicates that South Dominion Vineyards grapes come from have been inspected for safe food handling and environmental stewardship. The label lets you know your food was grown right, right here in New York State. This voluntary program for New York State certifies farms are protecting natural resources and using safe food handling practices, with audits that verify that products are handled in a manner that minimizes the risks of food safety hazards.  South Dominion Vineyard was certified in 2019. Buying New York State Grown & Certified products not only supports local farms, it supports local jobs and local economies. Agriculture supports over 250,000 jobs and is especially important to New York's rural communities.

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        Wine and Spirit Education Trust Certification

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Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) qualifications are globally recognized as the international standard in wine and spirit knowledge. They are designed for those who are just starting out in their careers, as well as established professionals, and the many enthusiasts who have a passion for wines and spirits. WSET is an exam board awarding organization. We are responsible for the creation, processing and quality assurance of WSET qualifications. The qualifications are delivered to candidates through our global network of Approved Program Providers (APPs). As the awarding organization, WSET is responsible for ensuring that APPs deliver our qualifications according to our standards and requirements. South Dominion’s Vintner was granted a Level 2 Award in wines.  WSET's Level 2 Award in Wines is an intermediate-level qualification exploring wines, suitable for industry professionals and wine enthusiasts. This level of certification shows knowledge of the principal and regionally important grape varieties of the world, the regions in which they are grown, and the styles of wine they produce. Through a combination of tasting and theory, a knowledge of the factors that impact style and quality and how to describe these wines is obtained.