Sept 2025 Plant A Seed Recap: An Evening of Wine & Sustainability

It’s hard to imagine a more lovely way to gather with sustainably focused folks than last Tuesday’s Plant A Seed. On the evening of September 16th, 2025, we enjoyed warm rooftop views overlooking the St. Croix River, paired perfectly with thoughtful conversation and community connection.

The highlight of the evening was a guided wine tasting led by Ashley Hausman of So What Wine. Ashley, a true champion of sustainability, opened our eyes to the hidden side of the wine industry—sharing that wines can have up to 76 authorized additives! Fortunately, her curated selection for the evening leaned toward additive-free wines made by vintners committed to healthier, more environmentally responsible practices.

We also learned how many of the vineyards she sources from are organic farms and how some winemakers are adopting lighter-weight glass bottles, helping to reduce shipping emissions and costs. These choices, though small, create ripple effects for both people and planet.

Ashley’s knowledge, gleaned over her decade and a half in the wine industry, left us inspired to think differently about what goes into our glass—and how it connects back to the soil, the growers, and the global climate.

We are deeply grateful to Ashley for sharing her expertise, and to Lisa Lily, Community Manager of The Miller, for once again welcoming us into such a beautiful space that fosters both sustainability and community.

Events like these remind us that sustainability is not just about systems and policies—it’s about the everyday choices we make, the businesses we support, and the community we build together.

✨ Special thanks to our Green Business Directory members, So What Wine and The Miller, for being leaders in sustainability and hosts of this meaningful evening.