Hecates Key

I try to create wines that suit our climate and our way of life – wines to drink with the food we grow, make and eat.

– Anais Mera

We set out to focus on our passion for the Columbia Gorge AVA and its ability to produce environmentally sustainable wine. Our holistic philosophy to winemaking starts with regenerative practices, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, as well as wine’s relation to the food we love to grow, cook, and eat.

Our promise to the land extends into future generations, ecologically and socially.

As stewards of the vineyard, it is our duty and privilege to create an environment where indigenous flora and fauna thrive with the crop we grow.

LIVE Certified | Salmon Safe | Pollinator Friendly

Since 2022, our vineyard has been LIVE, Salmon Safe and Pollinator Friendly certified. LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) is an independent, third-party sustainability certification specific to the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, and Idaho). It is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous and comprehensive wine sustainability standards in the world.

What do sustainability certifications mean to us?
Getting certifications like LIVE, Salmon Safe and Pollinator Friendly helps set the bar globally for our commitment to a sustainable crop, and the future of wine grape growing.

Environmental stewardship

Soil and Ecosystem Health: LIVE focuses heavily on “low input” farming, which means minimizing synthetic interventions. It encourages regenerative practices like planting cover crops to build organic matter and support the rich microbiome of the soil, ensuring the long-term viability of the Hecate’s Key terroir. We spray only LIVE Certified organic applications on the vines, and encourage animal life with re-wilded corridors, raptor perches and pollinator habitats.

Drastic Pesticide & Chemical Reduction: By achieving this certification, the vineyard drastically scales back its reliance on harsh chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides, instead utilizing integrated pest management (such as attracting beneficial insects or birds) to protect the vines naturally.

Water & Climate Action: The certification requires strict natural resource conservation. In the Pacific Northwest, this translates to protecting local watersheds, reducing overall water use, and tracking/reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our vineyard as of 2011 and 2012, has been dry farmed.

Socially Responsible

Worker Rights and Well-being: Unlike certifications that strictly look at chemical use, LIVE places heavy emphasis on social sustainability. It mandates fair wages, safe working conditions, healthcare considerations, and proper training for vineyard crews. For a community-focused winery like AniChe, honoring the human element of winemaking is highly ethical.

Community Impact: LIVE ensures that the vineyard minimizes its impact on immediate neighbors (limiting chemical drift, noise, and runoff) and actively contributes to regional education regarding environmental stewardship.