Photo courtesy of Proud Pour
The buzz around social enterprise—organizations that serve a greater mission of social impact through successful business—has hit industries from fashion to food. Now, you can now make multiple positive impacts with a taste of Proud Pour wines.
Founded by Berlin Kelly, a longtime home brewer with an interest in sustainable food systems, and Brian Thurber, who has a background in climate advocacy for nonprofits, the wine company produces two wines, both of which make a big impact.
Proud Pour’s Mendocino County sauvignon blanc was made to support oyster reefs. The company partners with groups like New York’s Billion Oyster Project so that every bottle purchased helps fund the re-seeding and restoration of oyster reefs in coastal communities around the U.S. (It doesn’t hurt that the vibrant, floral notes of the wine complement a plate of briny bivalves.) Their second wine, an Oregon pinot noir, supports the planting of wildflower fields in order to benefit native and local honey bee populations. The bottle’s balanced notes of berries and cherries make it an easy sipper, too.
“We’re trying to do something different,” Thurber says. “So, we took what would be a marketing budget for a wine company and moved all of that money to supporting environmental work. Where most companies give either one percent of their revenue or 10 percent of the profits to a good cause, we give back 13 percent of our top line revenue.”
At Lockeland Table, where co-owners Cara Graham and chef Hal Holden-Bache dedicate a nightly happy hour to community giving, Proud Pour has been a perfect fit for their wine program.
“While Proud Pour gives back to our earth, Lockeland gives back to our local schools. The mission of Proud Pour and that of our Community Hour go hand-in-hand,” Graham says. “It’s simple, really: Drink good wine and eat good food all the while giving back.”
Find Proud Pour wines available by the glass and bottle at Lockeland Table or at Weiss Liquors; proudpour.com