They call themselves Locavores, people who eat only food and use only products produced within 100 miles of their homes. This eating local movement has really boosted small farms and farmer’s markets around America but it is now inevitably spreading to another part of sustainably minded people’s tables, the wine bottle. There is a growing demand for urban wineries and locally produced beers. This is easy for those who live near Sonoma valley or Walla Walla, Washington; but it isn’t too hard to get great wine anywhere now. Small wineries are realizing the demand and offering wine by the cask to local bars, and making sure to set up at farmer’s markets where law allows. Sustainably minded consumers realized that it went against the slow food movement to knowingly drink wine that had been packed in glass bottles and shipped up to thousands of miles to them.
Even for those not active in the Eat Local movement should look into nearby wineries to buy from. Small wineries in unheard of wine areas have the small business mentality to them where the product is an art and customers are worth meeting. This level of commitment and service can only translate into unique and heartfelt wine for good prices. Supporting local businesses can feel just as good as filling up wine glasses with a newly discovered favorite vintage.
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