Sustainability
100% CSWA Certified-Sustainable Wines
Our philosophy is simple: do as much good as you can, and never stop trying to make your corner of the world better. Small actions can create big change when everyone does their part. Caring for our people and our environment is critical to our work, but it’s also just the right thing to do. That’s why we invest in sustainability at every step in our process, from the vineyard, all the way to your glass with 100% CSWA certified sustainable wines.
Rickshaw is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to help restore critical forest ecosystems throughout 2024
The Arbor Day Foundation has been inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees since 1972. And that simple mission has had a global impact. The Foundation has grown to become the largest member nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees — working with members, supporters, and a strong network of partners to plant and distribute trees in forests and communities worldwide.
Why Rickshaw and the Arbor Day Foundation Work
Rickshaw stands for sustainable sipping. Our wines are 100% certified sustainable: made from grapes grown in sustainably-farmed vineyards across California. As an extension of this commitment, Rickshaw is proud to support the Foundation’s efforts to solve issues our planet faces that are directly impacted by climate change through strategic reforestation projects. Rickshaw invites you to join us in our support of our precious green spaces and to sip more sustainably.
In 2024, Rickshaw, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, will support large-scale tree planting projects in forests of greatest need throughout the United States. Read more about the Rickshaw and the Foundation’s projects and their impact below.
Longleaf Pine Ecosystems Restoration Across Texas
Longleaf pine was once the dominant tree species in the South, covering more than 90 million acres from Virginia to Texas. Early settlers gradually began clearing the forests away for agriculture and lumber around 400 years ago. As they disappeared, these valuable trees were replaced with less expensive and faster-growing varieties. Today, the longleaf pine covers less than 3% of its original range. That loss of ecosystem has been devastating to the nearly 600 animal and plant species that depend on it.
Efforts are ongoing to restore longleaf pine forests primarily on private lands throughout the region, with tree planting planned on multiple tracts of land in Texas. Longleaf pine’s natural habitat stretches across a significant amount of private land, and the landowners in this project are excited to make a difference and restore their cherished property back to its former beauty.
As the trees grow, they will reduce forest fragmentation and give a home to endangered and keystone wildlife like the red-cockaded woodpecker, indigo snake, and gopher tortoise. They’ll also reduce erosion, due to their ability to grow in sandy and mountainous areas. And, because longleaf pine is resistant to weather extremes and disease, these positive impacts will continue on for generations.
Bladen Lakes State Forest
Spanning more than 33,000 acres, Bladen Lakes State Forest is the largest state-owned forest in North Carolina. While it offers an array of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, this land also serves as an education and research space for universities and other related agencies. Reforestation efforts are currently underway to support the overall health of the forest ecosystem. A native mix of loblolly pine and longleaf pine will be used to supplement existing tree stands and replace nonnative slash pines. This work will ensure a sustainable future for the forest as well as improved habitat for many different species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. In particular, the added native pines will support the endangered and aforementioned red-cockaded woodpecker. Through this restoration, the forest can continue to offer educational tours and recreational activities in addition to all the environmental benefits trees provide.
Rim Fire Restoration
The 2013 Rim Fire was the largest recorded wildfire in the history of the Sierra Nevada at the time, making its way through 257,314 acres of grass-oak woodlands, chaparral, ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer forests over the course of three months. Most of the charred landscape was within the Tuolumne Watershed, and more than 90,000 acres were burned by high-severity fire — a devastating blow for the region.
A multi-year effort has been ongoing to restore native forest cover to the land. Newly planted trees will protect the water quality in area waterways by filtering precipitation and controlling runoff. They will also provide improved habitat for the variety of wildlife species that call this region home, including the Tuolumne herd of mule deer.
Monitoring and management will be ongoing to ensure a healthy, resilient forest that will thrive for generations to come.
Northern California Family Lands Restoration
Recent wildfires have taken a massive toll on privately owned forestlands throughout northern California. These forests are in great need of replanting. This kind of devastation can be overwhelming for individuals and families, and they need support as they begin to help the land heal.
Replanting efforts are underway with climate change in mind. Post-fire clean-up is the first step, reducing the threat of future fires. Tree planting is focused on replacing the coniferous tree cover, with a focus on ponderosa pine, Douglasfir, and white fir. And landowner education and ongoing support ensure that these forests will thrive into the future.
The newly planted trees will grow to support the broad range of biodiversity found here. This includes lodgepole chipmunks, mountain beavers, California mountain king snakes, black bears, wolverines, California bighorn sheep, Pacific fishers, mule deer, mountain lions, and much more.