Canada’s Stratus Vineyards has become the first winery in Ontario to earn the ESG-focused B Corp certification.
Stratus scored 85.1 points out of a maximum possible 200 to achieve B Corp status, which the Niagara winery credited in part to its use of lightweight glass, “local supply chain” and diverse workforce. The minimum requirement to obtain the certification is 80 points.
Opened in 2005, Stratus claims to be the world’s first ‘leadership in energy & environmental design’ (LEED)-certified winery. The business was also one of the founding members of local ESG-certification programme ‘Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario’.
“B Corp certification recognises the culmination of our work since day one and holds us to a fulsome standard of ethical and purpose-driven business practice,” said Stratus Vineyards’ GM, Suzanne Janke. “… And now, under B Corp, we view our work with an even broader lens. It challenges us to consider not only how we make wine, but how every aspect of the business can create a positive outcome.
“Accountability and authenticity are engrained pillars of our foundation and evolution of our winery story.”
In June, Niagara peer Andrew Peller was revealed to be in the process of being sold to Fairfax Financial Holdings.
