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As a consumer, it is my job to support and respect initiatives and standards set in place at various destinations. If I see that they use low energy lamps and conserve on water, I too should conserve and limit my water usage and make sure that I am doing my part to conserve energy.  Burrowing Owl Estate states that linens in the guest house are only washed upon guest request. If I were visiting and knew this, I would limit my use of linens and try to use the same towel multiple times.  Recycling and reusing are other big initiatives in the industry. Supporting businesses like Rewined, who take old wine bottles and make candles, helps promote a more environmental and sustainable conscious world. 

Photo Credit- http://www.rewinedcandles.com/

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, British Columbia, VQA Okanagan Valley. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://www.burrowingowlwine.ca/

Rewined. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://www.rewinedcandles.com/

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I think that it is great that the Wine Institute of California implements an educational program to ensure sustainable practices are carried out throughout the various wineries. I would be interested in seeing that those practices aren’t just used behind the scenes in wine production, but also with the visitors. Implementing educational offerings on recycling and reusing wine bottles or informational sessions on farming and grape production would be invaluable to visitors and would help continue sustainable practices around the world.

Photo Credit- Burrowing Owl Estate

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, British Columbia, VQA Okanagan Valley. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://www.burrowingowlwine.ca/

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The Wine Institute of California is a great contributor to the growth and advancement of wineries across California. I think they would be a great group to help encourage other states and maybe on a more national level, the better practices of sustainable wineries and tourism.

Their missions. “Our mission is to initiate and advocate public policy that enhances the ability to responsibly produce, promote and enjoy wine“

Responsibly produce is the most important because it encompasses using sustainable practices. They have even started a Sustainable Wine Growing program that advocates good practices and offers workshops and educational materials.

Photo Credit- California Wine Institute

The Wine Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://www.wineinstitute.org/

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Other destinations can take note of how Burrowing Owl partners with the surround environment instead of fighting and building over it. By using natural resources and methods and practicing efficient energy conservation, Burrowing Owl has created a plan to be sustainable for the distant future. Their direct philosophy is

“It has been the overriding environmental philosophy at Burrowing Owl to take the long term view of our vineyard and winery practices and on a global scale we strive to do no harm.“

Other destinations and DMOs can use them as a prime example of how to create an enjoyable, educational destination while keeping the environment in mind.

Photo Credit- Burrowing Owl Estate

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, British Columbia, VQA Okanagan Valley. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2016, from http://www.burrowingowlwine.ca/

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Benefits to the environment and surrounding community are abundant. Burrowing Owl Winery offers a tasting experience for a $3 fee. 100% of the proceeds are donated each year to the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society and the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Center for Owls. Each year they raise up to $50,000 for the two groups. The Burrowing Owl is an endangered species that is local to the area.

Photo Credit- Burrowing Owl Estate

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, British Columbia, VQA Okanagan Valley. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://www.burrowingowlwine.ca/

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By having the estate in such an environmentally friendly location, this allows visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty and nature. The Burrowing Owl Estate offers a guest house in the middle of the vineyard that gives visitors incredible views and experiences. The guest house is also equipped with the same environmental standards as the other facilities. Visitors stay in luxury that is able to harmonize with the environment around it by using low energy facilities, low flush plumbing, and recycle and reuse measures all across property.

Photo Credit- Burrowing Owl Estate

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, British Columbia, VQA Okanagan Valley. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://www.burrowingowlwine.ca/

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Because Burrowing Owl has most of its production and storage facilities underground, this allows them to use natural heating and cooling for the wine making and storing process. This underground facility plays into the environmental approach as it conserves natural usable space above ground. It also is more economically friendly because the facility uses the natural environment to heat and cool, cutting back on wasteful energy consumption. This really plays into the ‘tripple-bottom-line’ approach stated by Morrison (p.64 2013 Morrison). Morrison also states that sustainable tourism is crucial for ‘highly environmental sensitive areas’. The Burrowing Owl Winery is able to continue daily operations and cater to the tourism market, while still maintaining a balance with the environment. 

Photo Credit- Burrowing Owl Estate

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, British Columbia, VQA Okanagan Valley. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://www.burrowingowlwine.ca/

Morrison, A. M. (2013). Marketing and managing tourism destinations. New York: Routledge

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Burrowing Owl has so many great initiatives and attributes that make it one of the best sustainable destinations. One of the best practices though is the construction attributes of the estate itself.

The production and storage areas of the winery are located underground so that the ecosystem is undisturbed and that more farming area may be utilized.The total area of the building above ground is 14,448 square feet, while the underground facility is 46,887 square feet. The rooftops are equipped with solar panels that allow for natural energy conservation when heating different amenities for guests. The buildings are all constructed with efficiency in mind and exceed national standards for thermal and electrical efficiency.

Photo Credit- Burrowing Owl Estate

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, British Columbia, VQA Okanagan Valley. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2016, from http://www.burrowingowlwine.ca/

Wineries | Sustainable Tourism. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2016, from http://www.sustainabletourism.net/case-studies/companies-and-organizations/wineries/

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One of my favorite destinations that I found is the Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in British Columbia, Canada. By using an underlying message of “Do no harm”, they work together with the environment and keep a strong balance with the ecosystem. By cutting back on energy consuming tactics and using more natural techniques, Burrowing Owl excels at sustainable practices.

Photo Credit- Burrowing Owl Estate

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, British Columbia, VQA Okanagan Valley. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://www.burrowingowlwine.ca/