“People always say it’s a great name, a great marketing decision,” says Kerri McNolty, the couple’s daughter and the winery’s marketing director, of Burrowing Owl's moniker.

“I actually say, ‘No, the name for the vineyard came long before there was any dream of producing and selling wine.’ It was definitely an authentic decision just to try and help increase awareness of the burrowing owls.”

Since then, through the work of the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society, the Wyses' have been instrumental in helping re-introduce the bird back to the regional habitat.

Jim Wyse’s mother was an avid birder and passed along the love of birds to her son. Along with that came a respect for the environment that suffuses everything the winery does. The list of sustainable features is exhaustive.

Jim and Midge Wyse in Burrowing Owl's wine cellar. Photo by Burrowing Owl Winery

The winery makes use of solar heat and geo-thermal, and includes low-flush toilets and low-energy light bulbs. Practices in the vineyard include incorporating six tractors that operate on bio-diesel; and the use of solar-energized water probes that wirelessly report the true watering needs of the vines.

An extension to the winery this year will feature roof-top solar panels and electric car charging stations, among other improvements. At that same time, the Wyses are also working to make their own home net-zero.

The winery’s long-time commitment to sustainability led to it being certified Green Tourism Gold in 2015.

Burrowing Owl Winery. Photo by Burrowing Owl Winery

According to McNolty, her father made the improvements because “he knew it was the right thing to do rather than that’s because he wanted to tell people that’s what he was doing.”

The work comes with good karma, though; McNolty says when their customers learn of the winery’s sustainability commitment and their work with the burrowing owl conservation society, “it definitely strengthens their attachment to our brand.