In excess of 58 tons of the compost is worked back into the soil of local vineyards and the Vino Noceto orchard annually.  He further states, "Additions of this fiber and organic matter are important for preservation of our fragile, Amador soils.” The Gulletts also recycle all wine bottles used in their tasting room, and have switched their marketing program to e-mail and internet promotions, eliminating most paper mailings and brochures. Gullett uses a sealer on vineyard roads made from a by-product of paint manufacturing– the clear polymer sealer keeps down the dust.

Gullett points out that many of the waste reduction measures they use also save money -- disposal of vineyard and winery waste by-products through conventional methods would cost Vino Noceto at least $7,000 annually. This is in addition to a photovoltaic solar panel system that provides over 85% of the winery's electrical needs, thus saving Vino Noceto more than $20,000 annually. Besides the costs savings, says Gullett, “It’s the right thing to do.” Any California business that has taken effective measures to reduce the amount of waste it generates may apply for the WRAP award.

According to Anne Short of the Amador County Waste Management Department, California businesses generate nearly half of all of California's waste. Businesses can undertake some very simple measures to reduce and divert the amount of waste they send to the landfill each year and avoid millions of dollars of disposal costs. Congratulations to Vino Noceto and the Gullets for successfully addressing several of the highest waste and environmental impact opportunities in its operations.