Wente Toasts Earth Day With Wine, Song And 'Green' Golfing

Wente Vineyards is throwing an Earth Day party Sunday, with wine, live music, free crafts for the kids, garden walks and tours of its eco-award-winning links, "The Course."

The Course at Wente is among a handful of golf locales nationwide to earn an "Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" award for its efforts to reduce chemical use, conserve water and foster wildlife.

Golf courses are often derided as eco-foes for their pesticide, fertilizer and water usage. But Audubon International has labored for two decades to change that with its  Golf and Environment Initiative.

Audubon International, not affiliated with the National Audubon Society, is a New York-based, not-for-profit group that promotes "green" solutions to developers, hotels and golf courses.  

This is the second year Wente received the sanctuary certification.

"We make every effort to preserve what nature has so generously provided,” said Philip Wente, a family winegrower.

Wente Vineyards began in 1883 when family members purchased 48 acres of Livermore Valley land. Today it ranks as the oldest, continuously operated  family-owned winery in the country. 

Wente's Earth Day celebration, from 1 to 5 p.m., includes free garden tours led by Diane Dovholuk, the estate's master gardener.

When Dovholuk joined Wente seven years ago, her first assignment was planting flowers in a tiny strip of land in front of the vineyard restaurant.

She gradually took over nearly an acre and now raises organic vegetables, edible flowers, fruit and herbs that are used by Wente chefs.

Dovholuk's tours are at 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

It will be a busy day for the kids, who can ogle a worm composting station and fashion jewelry and art out of recycled goods.

Of course, wine tasting is on the agenda and a three-course meal will be offered at The Restaurant at Wente.

For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com, under "Events."