You’ll be blown away by the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains! One of the best parts of any trip to the area is seeing the serene scenes created by the one-of-a-kind landscape. With that in mind, it’s important to protect our environment for future generations to enjoy it just as much as we do. Because we make our home here and use fresh fruits from the region to make some of our wines, protecting the environment has always been important to us. Here are 5 ways you can minimize your environmental impact in the Smokies:
1. Our Eco-Friendly Wine Shipments
Because we want to preserve our stunning environment as much as possible, our wines move from us to your home in eco-friendly shipments. When you become a member of The Club, our wine and cider club, you’ll receive routine shipments of our wines to your front door. All of our shipments are carbon neutral certified via our partnership with Vinoshipper! In 2022, Vinoshipper offset more than 1,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, or the equivalent of a years’ worth of driving 250 mid-sized cars.
2. Respect the Wildlife
If you’re visiting the Smokies, chances are you’ll want to spend some time in the great outdoors exploring everything that makes the region so special. That means you may come across some wildlife while you're out exploring the trails or even when driving. While it’s fun to snap some photos of these animals to commemorate your visit, make sure to keep your distance and never feed them. This will help to keep you safe and ensure the wildlife doesn’t be accustomed to human food and continue to look for more.
3. Keep on Marked Trails
If you go for a hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, make sure to stay on the designated trails. The trails are designed to give you a safe and easily accessible place to walk while preserving the unmarked areas that surround the trails. By keeping on the trails, you avoid damaging vegetation and habitats of the vibrant wildlife, preserving the balance of the ecosystem.
4. Always Recycle & Never Litter
Leave no trace when you spend time outdoors in the Smokies. Both trash cans and recycling bins can be found throughout the national park, so be sure to appropriately discard any trash. Never throw your trash into the woods as it can be a hazard for the many animals that make their home in the area.
5. Use a Reusable Water Bottle
On the topic of recycling, using a reusable water bottle is a great option that helps to cut down on plastic waste. It’s important to stay hydrated when you spend time outdoors, particularly in the warmer months, and water is your best bet. Our sister company, Tennessee Cider Company, even sells a 20 ounce logo tumbler that you can use! These tumblers come in both navy and white colors and can be purchased both online and in person.
We can all preserve the Smokies for generations to come by reducing our environmental footprints. We hope to see you soon at Tennessee Homemade Wines where an incredible collection of Tennessee wines awaits you!
