Sustainability Defined

By Janene Roberts

If you've ever sat down to talk with me, you've probably heard some of my preaching about sustainability. It's been a passion of mine to live a sustainable lifestyle. But, what does that word sustainability really mean? Well I did a lot research on it for my wine tasting book and I came up with my own definition.

Sustainable definition: “Taking a more conscious approach to life and realizing that everything we do contributes to either the benefit or the demise of our world and specifically our community.”

So, how does sustainability go with a book about local wineries? Here are just a few things.

•Saving in fuel costs and emissions by traveling fewer miles to wineries.

•Investing income back into the local community.

•Establishing community. Many times the winemaker is serving the wines.

And since I'm a member of the Sierra Club, I also hear about other ways for the bettering of our community. This year, San Diego will become the first community in the COUNTRY to adopt a Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) as part of the Regional Transportation Plan. There's a draft that's been released by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) that proposes to reduce greenhouse gases by 13% per capita by the year 2035 that would include funding for public transit and development of already-developed land, which would help avoid sprawl. If you want to know more, go here: https://secure2.convio.net/sierra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=OnScreenThanks&id=6486

San Diego Wine Tasting Passport

Support Local Wineries by purchasing a San Diego Wine Tasting Passport. For just $25 (and only $20 if you're a wine club member) you can taste wine at five local wineries.

Belle Marie

Bernardo Winery

Cordiano

Hacienda de las Rosas

San Pasqual Winery

The wineries also have fundraising opportunities for non-profits. Contact any one of the listed wineries for purchases. Passports are good through September 5, 2011.