Sarah’s Vineyard in Ohio is a unique, boutique winery to visit. The winery is located in a National Park – the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. As such the owners, Mike and Margaret Lytz, are encouraged to use sustainable methods.

In an effort to follow environmentally friendly and consumer friendly concepts, the Lytzs began in 2009 to try “wine on tap.” The concept has done so well that now all of theirs wines are on tap. Since 90 percent of the wine purchased is enjoyed onsite, this system works especially well for the winery.

The problems of dealing with issues like glass bottles, corks, labels and shipping in an environmentally friendly way are greatly reduced.

In the press release from Mike Lytz notes, “Sarah’s Vineyard wine is made and sold only at the winery, and ninety percent is consumed on premises. With the installation of a compressed nitrogen tap system, we are proud to serve the bulk of our wine by the glass and carafe. Only wine “to go” is bottled, and the environmental impact of producing and selling our wines is greatly reduced.” He adds, “Sarah’s Vineyard wins with less packaging and labor costs. These savings are passed on to the customer.”

A review of Sarah’s Vineyard is available on the Wine Trail Traveler webite.

Other wineries, especially those who sell the majority of wines in their tasting rooms may want to check out “wine on tap.”

Cheers!  Kathy