Cascade Peak Spirits and its suppliers have a strong commitment to nurturing Mother Earth.
By caretaking the land to eliminate or minimize the loss of topsoil, toxic runoffs to streams, soil contamination, and harm to insects and birds insures that future generations will be provided for with healthy food supplies.
Organic farmers caretake their soil by increasing the beneficial soil organisms through natural processes whereas conventional farmers use chemicals that degrade and kill. Organic farmers know that many of these microscopic organisms in the soil enhance their plants ability to synthesize or absorb nutrients. Organic farmer don’t put profit over ecological responsibility.
What are the health benefits of organic consumption? The primary individual benefit of consuming organic products is that there are no pesticide residues in your food, which allows you to taste the essence or “spirit” of the food. Your individual action of supporting the organic food industry insures that future generations will also have the option to also follow this lifestyle tradition. In other words, what’s good for Mother Earth is also good for all her children
What does “organic” mean?
Organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation.
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows:
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.
What is the difference between a non-organic distilled spirit and an organic one?
The difference is that organic spirits are made from raw materials, i.e. grains, potatoes, grapes, etc. that are certified organic. Obviously, non-organic is using raw materials that are not grown organically possibly with the use of chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, etc. Organic refers not only to the raw products themselves but also to how they are produced and processed. Organic agricultural production is based on a system of farming that mimics natural ecosystems and maintains and replenishes the fertility and nutrients of the soil. Certification means that our products have been grown and handled according to strict organic standards that include inspection farm fields, process facilities, detailed record keeping and periodic testing soils, water to ensure that we, as organic processors are meeting or exceeding the standards of the USDA National Organic Program. The pre-eminent organic certifier Oregon Tilth certifies ORGANIC NATION spirits. We believe that organic is better because organic certification makes a statement that we are committed to supporting our natural environment. We believe that it is smoother, based on many, many comments from hundreds of individuals at Tastings because there are no chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, etc. present in any amount- minute or trace amounts do not exist! We have one customer that swears by our Organic Nation vodka. She believes that there is a connection between the organic ingredients and her not having any hangover side effects!
We decided to start an organic distillery because it is a reflection of our own lifestyles. We eat organic foods, support CSA’s, don’t use any chemical fertilizers, or any products that contain chemicals that degrade our water, soil or air, recycle, belong to SLOW FOODS. We donate to the environment as a way to show our commitment to living lives that reflect a respect for Mother Nature. We are constantly working on reducing our ‘Carbon Footprint’. By having a business that practices sustainability, this is one direct way we are accomplishing that. We created the brand name of ORGANIC NATION for our spirits as a way to depict that our organic spirits are more of a movement, something you are a part of, and a way you are taking a stand. We’ve also registered the trademark “OREGON’S ORGANIC SPIRIT” to illustrate that buying organic embodies a Sense of Spirit as well as being a distilled Spirit. So, when we say, “Join the ORGANIC NATION”, we mean for you to make a statement with your purchase. I look forward to the day when we no longer have to use the word ‘ORGANIC’ before ‘food’. Everything will eventually be grown organically as it will be the norm!!
Historically, the Distilling industry since the repeal of Prohibition has been male-dominated. The Brewery and Wine industry are as well. It is a recent phenomenon that women are taking these lead positions. I am the CEO and my partner, David, is a co-owner/Vice Pres. with Cascade Peak Spirits, Inc. Mary Toney, our Productions Manager, and I do just about everything from bottling, labeling, designing, marketing, and working with the OLCC, TTB (federal gov’t). We are the Spirit of ORGANIC NATION. The ORGANIC NATION team is really a bunch of friends who believe in our idea and come and help us label, pack, move, ship, build, organize, party and support us emotionally as well as financially.
We are very excited to be the First Organic Distillery in Oregon! We assume more distilleries are not organic because it is more time consuming, more expensive by far, more involvement with bureaucracies? Most likely, it is probably a statement about their beliefs, lifestyle. Just like many, many people who do not eat organic foods because they don’t think that it matters or possibly they don’t even think about it. It is not a part of what is important to them? It is very important to us. We believe it matters.
Come and help us grow! We are the first Organic Distillery in Oregon, probably the West Coast, and we are here in your back yard! We are a Green business dedicated to implementing Sustainable business practices, recycling, solar and wind power and providing ‘Living Wage’ jobs once we a large enough to hire some help. We offer consumers a socially responsible alternative to mass-produced corporate spirits. We handcraft everything and we are doing every piece of the work from being the CEO, to marketing, to distilling to bottle washing. And we want to thank Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Corp. for believing in us and loaning us money to get us up and running. Help us spread the word; ask for ORGANIC NATION SPIRITS: O-N vodka, and O-N gin when you are out dining or at the Liquor Store.
What does the Oregon Tilth Organic seal mean?
Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) is an internationally recognized symbol of organic integrity. The purpose of organic certification is to ensure that the agreed upon conventions of organic agricultural systems are being practiced not only by growers, but also by all the people who handle and process organic food, feed and fiber on its journey to the consumer. In order to accomplish this, OTCO provides a system that combines strict production standards, on-site inspections, and legally binding contracts to protect the producers and buyers of organic products.
What does sustainability mean?
Simply put, sustainability consists of a culture where all economic activity is at the center of life in the community based on shared goals over individual needs. The community benefits when there are plenty of rewarding jobs, the workers earn a good wage, and business profits and employee wages are reinvested in the community. The community must possess a synergy with everyone working and directing all energies toward a common goal.
Cascade Peak Spirits pledges to invest profits back into our community and we provide living wage skilled jobs to local people to help keep our local economy healthy.