Wooden Gate Cider/ Current sustainability practice
The majority of apples and fruits like plums come from peoples backyards, where many apple trees are planted mainly for aesthetics and a few pies. With people often unable to utilize all the fruit, Wooden Gate Cider steps in to repurpose this surplus fruit, enriching the tree and soil while crafting exceptional cider that ultimately benefits consumers. The leftover by-products, including pulp and seeds, are composted onsite for orchard sustainability.
All our products are packaged in glass bottles, which are 100% recycled within Manitoba, reducing our environmental footprint.
At our cidery, we practice regenerative agriculture, a sustainable approach that minimizes water usage, enhances soil health, and promotes biodiversity, all while increasing productivity and profitability. By implementing practices like planting forage between fruit trees and using cover crops to retain nutrients and water, we maintain a thriving ecosystem.
Our ciders are currently sold exclusively in Manitoba, minimizing food miles and reducing fuel consumption. The cidery operates a 75-kilowatt solar array system that generates surplus energy, contributing to Manitoba's carbon-neutral energy grid. Solar-powered fences, lights, and deer guards are also utilized on the farm to enhance sustainability and efficiency.
Livestock play a crucial role on the farm by aiding in land maintenance, fertilization, and waste recycling, completing a sustainable cycle.
Conserving habitats has been a fundamental practice at Wooden Gate Cider. We safeguard forests, waterways, and fertile soil to create a sanctuary for wildlife and nature in this region.
By offering 3 cider experiences here at Wooden Gate Cider, we use the Regenerative Tourism model. The mail goal of Regenerative Tourism is for Tourists (visitors) to have a positive (beneficial) impact on the destination and its “locals”, leaving both in a better condition than they found them.
We also work hard to implement many of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals outlined from the United Nations General Assembly. Read more about this here https://tourism4sdgs.org/tips_indicators/
Future plans include.....
-launching a bottle recycling program, expanding solar energy usage, and potentially incorporating wind power to support additional residents on the farm/cidery.
-Habitat conservation is a priority, with plans for a vast food forest to provide safe spaces for various species, complementing the diverse wildlife already thriving in the surrounding forests of oak, elm, ash, and poplar trees.
-Create a canned cider product line, aluminum is infinitely recyclable product and takes 95% less energy to recycle it.