Wine a little, change a lot! (21+)

Thanks to you, our post about what beer to buy became one of our most-read posts of the year! In honor of #winewednesday we thought we’d help out all the winos and give you some ideas to make a lasting impact on your favorite cause.

So gather your girlfriends or your guy friends…

(they call it bro-sé for a reason)

and pop open a bottle of one of these good-for-everyone wines! 

1. Dave Matthews co-founded Dreaming Tree Wines and each bottle helps the environment. Yes, we did say Dave Matthews. They use solar power, produce the bottles using less glass, recycled paper, and recyclable cork, plus a part of the proceeds go to environmental organizations like the Wilderness Society. Go ahead, queue up Crash Into Me or The Dreaming Tree (you know, to stick with the theme) and pour yourself a glass!

Our recommendation:Crush Red Blend ($15)

2. ONEHOPE Wines is an extension of the ONEHOPE Foundation. Robert Mondavi Jr. (yeah, that Mondavi) is one of the head winemakers and helps them produce incredible wines. The winery partners with over 100 non-profits who are vetted, categorized, and matched with a wine varietal – AND you can search wines by cause! The impacts are tracked and displayed on their website.

 Our recommendation: anything from the glitter collection – especially the California Brut Sparkling Wine which supports children ($60). If glitter isn’t your thing, try the Cotes de Provence Reserve Rose which supports women ($25). 

3. South African winery, Indaba, produces their wines in accordance with the Integrated Production of Wine standards for environmental sustainability. The winery is located in one of the world’s most diverse plant kingdoms, and they encourage native plants and animals to make their homes on vineyard grounds. Plus, rather than using pesticides, they use native predators of pest species to control unwanted populations. Even better, they fund schooling for children in the area through the Indaba Education Fund. They don’t sell online, but you can get their products in Lorain, OH. 

Our recommendation: their classic South African Chenin Blanc

4. For wines you’ve probably already seen in stores, look for Treasury Wine Estates’ brands. They encourage their employees to volunteer and match employee fundraising efforts, plus they partner with 80 non-profits in nearly 30 communities world-wide to hold their annual Global Volunteering Week. Some easy to find TWE brands are ones that you may have had before: 19 Crimes, Beringer, Sledgehammer.

Our recommendation: my personal all-time favorite Sauvignon Blanc by one of their brands in New Zealand, Matua, is available at most grocery stores for about $13.

Please remember to “wine-down” responsibly, and use your purchases to support companies who are responsible on their end too. 

Because who doesn’t love to wine a little and change a lot?! 

BONUS WINES: Cultivate, for leadership and education in Atlanta; Staglin Family Vineyards, to support research and programs for schizophrenia and other mental health illnesses; Lookout Ridge, one case of wine = one wheelchair given to someone in need; Newman’s Own Wines, 100% of profits go to charities in all areas, including for children with life-limiting illness.