Wente Vineyards Recognized By Audubon International

Wente Vineyards golf course, an 18-hole award-winning golf course designed by Greg Norman, has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.

LIVERMORE, Calif. - The Course at Wente Vineyards, an 18-hole award-winning golf course designed by Greg Norman, has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program.

"To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Jim Sluiter, Staff Ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs. Those categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.

The Course at Wente Vineyards plays through the vineyards, rolling hills and scenic valleys of northern California.

Sluiter also added, "The Course at Wente Vineyards has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property."

Glenn Matthews, Superintendent at the Course at Wente Vineyards spearheaded the certification process.

Christine Wente, Fifth Generation Winegrower and Vice President of Hospitality for the family-owned winery, golf course, restaurant, and event center, stated "This certification by Audubon International of The Course at Wente Vineyards is a confirmation of a long held philosophy at our family winery where we have been implementing sustainable and environmentally sensitive practices since my great-great-grandfather founded our company in 1883. We are excited and honored to have this certification, which will further enhance our guests' experience at our unique property where wine, golf, concerts and fine dining converge in the historic Livermore Valley."

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses is endorsed by the United States Golf Association. It provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. Golf courses from all over the globe, numbering 797 total, with 52 in California have achieved this certification. For more information on golf and the environment, please visit www.golfandenvironment.org. For more information on Audubon International, please visit www.auduboninternational.org.

About The Course at Wente Vineyards

The Course at Wente Vineyards opened in July 1998. Designed by golfing great Greg Norman, the 18-hole championship course is a picturesque 7,181-yard, par-72, upscale, daily-fee golf course tucked away in the scenic, rural Livermore Valley, 50 minutes east of San Francisco. With three distinct topographies--native woodlands, mature vineyard and rolling hills of natural grasslands--The Course at Wente Vineyards offers extraordinary visual panoramas and a diversity of play unmatched in the Bay Area. For tee times call (925) 456-2425 or visit online at www.wentegolf.com. The Course is located at 5040 Arroyo Road in Livermore, CA.