This Valentine’s Day, we’re spotlighting five companies that are setting the standard for sustainability in their wine and chocolate-making practices. From ethical sourcing and biodiverse farming practices, to actioning their core values in their communities, these brands create small indulgences that have a meaningful impact.
1. Trois Noix Wine
Trois Noix Wine integrates sustainability at every stage, working with vineyards to adopt biodynamic, organic, and sustainable farming practices. They use energy-efficient systems, water reclamation processes, and local sourcing to reduce emissions. Their packaging and shipping materials are recyclable or compostable, and they partner with like-minded distributors and suppliers. As a woman-owned business and Certified B-Corporation, Trois Noix is also dedicated to promoting inclusive representation in the wine industry.
2. Benziger Family Winery
Benzinger Family Winery’s vineyards and winemaking facilities are triple-certified—Sustainable, Organic, and Biodynamic—so all their wines reflect a commitment to green farming practices. They integrate animals and beneficial gardens into their biodynamic approach, using grazing sheep and cattle to replace mowing and herbicides, while birds help pollinate the plants and control small pests. By nurturing their land in this way, they’re ensuring they can continue producing wine sustainably for years to come.
3. Lake Champlain Chocolates
Lake Champlain Chocolates has a strong focus on community and environmental sustainability. As a Certified B-Corporation, they donate time, products, and profits to various organizations, while also prioritizing the health and well-being of their employees and families. The company supports organic farming and fair trade practices, and 57% percent of their products are certified organic, while all of their chocolate is sourced under fair trade terms. At their Vermont factory, they’ve made efforts to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact, and use New Leaf Paper’s 100% post-consumer recycled fiber for wrapping their Signature Bars.
4. Vosges Haute-Chocolat
Vosges Haute-Chocolat is a Transparency Global Certified company, focused on a mission of honesty and openness. They partner with Fair Trade Certified suppliers and closely monitor their entire value chain to ensure fair labor practices. With all locations powered by 100% renewable energy, they also prioritize eco-friendly packaging, using recycled paper, biodegradable bags, and soy-based inks. Based in Chicago, IL, Vosges Haute-Chocolat works with non-profits to donate unused materials for art education programs.
5. Tony’s Chocolonely
Tony’s Chocolonely has been dedicated to ending exploitation and human rights violations in the cocoa industry for 20 years. They focus on raising awareness of labor rights and lead by example through supply chain partnerships and sharing their 5 Sourcing Principles openly with others in the industry. They also provide financial support in the form of living income premiums to the more than 17,000 cocoa farmers they work with.
To find out who’s truly walking the talk, explore chocolate ratings at Chocolate Scorecard along with wine certifications and sustainability recognition at Wine&Earth.