Sustainability
Maison La Belle Vie’s sustainability is rooted in thoughtful stewardship—from water-wise vineyard practices to energy-efficient winemaking—honoring our land, our river, and the future of Colorado wine.
Sustainability at Maison La Belle Vie
At Maison La Belle Vie, sustainability is not a trend—it is a long-term commitment woven into how we grow, craft, and host. From vineyard to cellar, we manage every stage of production with care for the land, the Colorado River, and the community that surrounds us. Our approach is intentional: reduce impact, conserve resources, and continuously improve—season after season, vintage after vintage.
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
Sustainability is a living program at Maison. New projects across the business are regularly developed and reviewed to ensure we are always looking ahead—refining our practices, investing in smarter systems, and elevating how responsibly we operate.
Winery & Facility Efficiency
Our production facility is designed for maximum energy and water efficiency—an essential part of our environmental management plan. In 2016, the winery underwent a major upgrade focused on improving energy performance and reducing overall consumption. In the years ahead, we will continue integrating advanced science and technology in the cellar, enabling us to craft some of Colorado’s finest wines with even greater efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Smart Water Stewardship
Water is precious in the Grand Valley, and we treat it that way. To help protect the Colorado River and our estate soils, we are investing in a micro-jet watering system that uses less water while supporting vine health and consistency. This approach also reduces runoff and erosion—protecting nutrients, improving soil integrity, and preserving the land for the future.
Renewable Energy for a Brighter Future
With Palisade’s abundant sunshine, shifting toward solar power is a natural step forward. We are installing solar panels to reduce reliance on the grid, increase energy independence, and lower our footprint. As our system expands, the winery will be positioned to generate additional energy—contributing back to the grid when possible.
Sustainable Winegrowing Practices
Sustainable winegrowing supports exceptional wines—and a healthier, more beautiful environment for our employees, neighbors, and visitors. Our vineyard practices focus on balance: nurturing the vines while protecting the ecosystem they depend on.
Examples of our (current and future) sustainable practices include:
Encouraging beneficial birds to help naturally manage pests
Cover crops to support biodiversity and soil structure
Drip irrigation to conserve water and improve precision
Composting, recycling, and reuse to minimize waste
Protecting air and water quality through thoughtful farming decisions
What It Means to Be a Sustainable Winegrower
Being a sustainable winegrower means making choices that respect both quality and responsibility—today and for generations to come.
Producing high-quality grapes and wines
Protecting the environment
Being a good neighbor and employer
Maintaining a thriving long-term business
Our Focus Areas
Water Efficiency
We prioritize precision-driven irrigation and responsible water stewardship—reducing loss, maximizing efficiency, and safeguarding the long-term health of the Colorado River. Through thoughtfully designed systems that deliver exactly what the vines need, when they need it, we conserve resources while maintaining the vitality of our vineyard and the exceptional quality of our fruit—season after season.
Enegery Efficiency
Conserving energy across our vineyard and winery delivers a meaningful dual benefit—reducing greenhouse gas emissions while keeping farming and production efficiencies in balance—and with solar panels capturing Palisade’s abundant Colorado sunshine to power key needs across the estate, our transition to renewable energy is both practical and purposeful, advancing a cleaner, more resilient future for our property and community.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
We work with a wide network of suppliers—providing everything from glass, paper, cardboard boxes, capsules, corks, and cleaning products to vineyard supplies, office equipment, and vehicles. Whenever possible, we set sustainability criteria and prioritize packaging materials that incorporate recycled or post-consumer content—supporting responsible sourcing throughout our supply chain.