Here in Yadkin County, North Carolina, casually draped over gently rolling land, lies a farm that is home to RagApple Lassie Vineyards. RagApple Lassie’s old world grapes are important pieces of the lush green patchwork quilt that makes up the Hobson Farm, but the quilt is enhanced by beautiful fields of soybeans, wheat, corn, and tobacco, outlined with stands of both hardwood and evergreen trees.
Aside from all the natural green surroundings, RagApple Lassie Vineyards, diligently weighs its business decisions against the need to protect our planet. Hence, our crops are rotated regularly to protect the soils nutrients and to prevent the spread of any disease. Plus, whenever possible we use no-till farming to reduce carbon emissions, protect against erosion and to utilize the natural decay of an earlier crop’s roots to feed the soil.
As grandparents of four wonderful boys – ages 7, 9, 11 & 11.5 – taking care of our planet is our gift to them! Upon visiting us, you will immediately notice that our parking lot is gravel as opposed o pavement. This allows rainwater to soak into the ground, rather than running into storm drains, so that, one: it nourishes the earth, and two, all extra rain can find its way into the earth’s core thus adding to the all important water table.
As a part of our “Green” Commitment and to insure that our wine bottles are actually recycled rather than being crushed and buried in a landfill, printed on the back of every RagApple Lassie Wine Bottle are the words: “Save our landfills – return this bottle for a 25 cent ‘bottle for bottle’ credit on your next RagApple Lassie wine purchase in the vineyards tasting room”. FYI: RagApple Lassie receives, on average, twenty cases per month!
No brainers, but just in case you’re not sure, please know that every inch of cardboard at RagApple Lassie is either reused or recycled. And all plastic bags, shrink wrapping, containers, bottles, packing peanuts, etc. are all appropriately recycled. And all plastic cups purchased and used at RagApple Lassie, such as those big 16 oz. sangria cups, are the biodegradable green line plastics made from corn products.
Corks popped from tasting bottles or returned by customers are given to the School for the Educable Mentally Handicapped in Roxboro who, in turn, make Cork Ornaments, Cork Garlands, Cork Trivettes, and Cork Bulletin Boards – all of which are purchased by us for sale to you in our tasting room.
And how about all those stems, skins and seeds that are leftover after harvest?????
Being natural compostable waste, this refuse is broadcast over fields and pastures thereby providing some natural fertilizer for the growth of the next crop. However, they are not used in the vineyard, per se, so as to not spread any lurking diseases.
But another recycling tradition is our early spring wreath making day. After all the vineyards have been pruned in preparation for the new year’s growth, huge piles of the vine prunings are delivered to the winery and everyone is invited to come make as many grapevine wreaths as they want. Once dried, grapevine wreaths last a long time – many in the winery were made by Lenna several years ago – and provide not only decorating touches but a special memory.
As sanitation is an important part of making good wine it follows that wineries are big users of water with large amounts of waste water. However, the definition of winery waste water is “slightly used with a tinge of wine color and taste”. Not anything that would harm anyone or thing, but nevertheless ‘waste’ so all Ragapple Lassie waste water is evaporated. Our life giving sun makes short work of absorbing this water back into the atmosphere but in the meantime, the frogs at RagApple Lassie was particularly happy! Every day at dusk, a frog symphony is playing and a few particularly outstanding soloists are showcased!
At any time RagApple Lassie hosts band concerts, a part of the admission price is always 24 oz. of peanut butter which goes immediately to the Yadkin Food Closet. Additionally, several times each year, one can taste RagApple Lassie wines at NO cost IF a donation equal to or greater than the tasting fee is made to the Food Closet. FYI: More than 6000 pounds of peanut butter and more than $2500.00 cash has been collected and donated on the behalf of our customers.
Coming soon! RagApple Lassie Solar Power. Frank and Lenna have been diligently working on a plan to harness the power of the sun to provide for the electricity needs of RagApple Lassie Vineyards and Frank Hobson Farms, and still have power left over to share!
Stay tuned! This is exciting!
For more info, visit: www.RagappleLassie.com!
Stay Connected!
Frank & Lena,
I had my first visit to RagApple this past December. Came away with two cases of a variety of wines which I used in gift baskets for Christmas. I made an additional purchase which was shipped to me just before Christmas. I enjoyed my afternoon ‘tasting’ session with your employee, Karen. It was a wonderful way to end my visit in North Carolina.
I wanted to say I enjoyed the information you shared in your ‘Committed To GREEN’ article. Not much of that was in your brochures or web site, but I appreciate it greatly.
Being conscious of the environment, the first thing I noticed upon arrival at RagApple Lassie was the gravel parking area. It crossed my mind that you may have left it gravel for any number of reasons, but I wondered if it may have been done to ‘recycle’ rain water for the vineyard.
I lived in Hamptonville for several years and I noticed the area was quite foggy many times a year. I suppose that is due to being located in an area between the branches of the Yadkin River. Recently, I learned the Giant Redwoods in CA actually recover water from fog. The Redwoods have ‘devised’ a way to recover much of the water they require from the area’s dense fog in addition to transpiration through the xylem. Maybe this is also a good thing for the vineyards in the Yadkin River area? Just a thought.
I admire and greatly appreciate all efforts of any company or individuals who are committed to ‘GREEN’. There are many who will say there is no global warming, but the fact is, regardless of what the beliefs are, we as inhabitants of this planet are responsible for what we do to it. I fail to understand that many seem to think we have no impact upon the earth. It shouldn’t matter whether there is ‘global warming’. What should matter is a commitment to caring for the planet in hopes it will be the same wonderful place of life generations from today. ‘Mother Nature’ is going to do what ‘Mother Nature’ is going to do. What we do will either hasten, slow or alter the process and that does mean, unfortunately, that some of what we do is detrimental and harmful.
It is with great appreciation to you, your family and RagApple Lassie for making a viable commitment to our earth. It pleased me greatly to learn what you are doing in your endeavors.
Thank you for sharing the latest letter news update regarding “Committed To GREEN”. It only cemented my admiration and I will certainly be passing on the information to others. I wonder if other vineyards in the area have made such commitments or if vineyards in other states have considered doing what you are currently doing. I suppose that will be something I can start checking on.
I am definitely opposed to all the cement and paving of our grounds/land/earth. I live in an area that has so many problems with rainwater run off. Much of this is because the land is continually being paved. There is continual coverage of larger and larger tracks of land with parking lots, as well as continued expansion of new building construction, as opposed to reusing/redesigning empty buildings. In general, what I see is a lack of commitment of any type to ‘GREEN’ efforts for the majority of the area.
Please know you have a true fan. Not only do I truly enjoy your wines, have boasted about your vineyards as well as shared the wines with others, but I am truly pleased to know you are also committed to doing your part for our planet.
Again, I want to thank you for all your help with my purchases. I particularly want to let you know you have a wonderful, delightfully knowledgeable, and entertaining employee in Karen. She made my visit and wine tasting event most enjoyable.
As a side note, my parents were both hospitalized over the holidays. I appreciate your good wishes, all your help and compassion in making my Christmas the best it could be under very difficult situations.
I’ve had several friends mention going to NC to ‘check out the vineyards’ so hopefully I’ll be bringing you more customers and fans.
Thank you and God Bless you all.
Sincerely,
Terry Ann Skinner
Hey Terry – Thank you so much for posting your comment!
We sure do appreciate your sentiments.
We have posted a page on our main website also: http://www.ragapplelassie.com/new/content/view/19/22/
Looking forward to seeing you soon!