The Press Democrat reports that Freeman Vineyard & Winery has achieved 100% organic certification through California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) for its Gloria and Yu-Ki estate Pinot Noir vineyards. Founders Akiko and Ken Freeman mark this milestone alongside new sustainable packaging initiatives—introducing lighter-weight glass bottles and removing tin capsules to further reduce the winery’s carbon footprint.

Winery Adopts Lightweight Bottles and Eliminates Capsules for a Smaller Carbon Footprint

SEBASTOPOL, Calif., Sept. 10, 2025 – Freeman Vineyard & Winery--named by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the Top 25 Wineries in Sonoma--has earned 100% organic certification through the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) for its Gloria and Yuki estate Pinot Noir vineyards. Set adjacent to the winery in the Green Valley of Russian River appellation, Gloria is planted to eight acres of vines. The 16-acre Yu-ki vineyard sits above the town of Occidental in the West Sonoma Coast appellation.

“Akiko and I care deeply about the environment and about leaving the world a better place for future generations,” Ken Freeman said. “We live amid the Gloria vineyard, so that gives us even more reason to care about what goes into the soil.”

Freeman has also made significant changes to its packaging to reduce the winery’s carbon footprint, switching to lighter-weight glass bottles and eliminating tin capsules from the bottle necks.

Glass bottles typically account for one-third to one-half of a winery’s total greenhouse gas emissions due to the energy required to manufacture the glass, and the transport of the wines. Freeman’s new bottles weigh 25% less than standard bottles and allow Freeman to ship more cases per pallet—reducing the product’s carbon footprint in transit. The lighter bottles have no negative impact on wine quality or integrity.

Freeman also did away with tin capsules. Hundreds of years ago, protective sleeves were necessary to keep the tops of the bottles clean and prevent rats from gnawing at the corks. However, with modern sanitation practices, they are no longer needed. Most capsules ultimately end up in a landfill, Freeman noted. “Capsules are very environmentally unfriendly,” he said, “from the digging of the ore to the production, which uses tons of energy.”

The Freemans have long championed environmentally conscious practices. When they purchased the land for the Yu-ki Vineyard in 2007, they donated 25 acres of old growth redwood forest to the Bodega Land Trust to ensure that the trees will never be cut down. That same year, Ken joined the board of the Sonoma Land Trust to help with the organization’s conservation efforts.

The winery also supports Russian Riverkeeper and donates 5% of the proceeds from its Friends of Freeman wine club to local charities including LandPaths, which helps send kids to summer camp in the forest.

About Freeman Vineyard & Winery

Ken and Akiko Freeman founded Freeman Vineyard & Winery in 2001 with a focus on cool climate Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. Drawn to the complexity of wines from these rugged, ocean-influenced regions, the Freemans established their winery and developed vineyards on the cool western edge of the Russian River’s Green Valley appellation. Today, Freeman’s estate vineyards include Gloria and Yu-ki, both certified organic by CCOF, along with the newly planted nine-acre Ko-fu Vineyard in the Sebastopol Hills—which will enable Freeman to produce 95% estate-grown wines. As winemaker, Akiko guides each vintage of Freeman’s expressive and elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery produces about 6,000 cases annually.

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Freeman Winery Winemaker Akiko Freeman and her winery manager husband Ken work together at their storybook property that is technically in the Russian River Valley AVA, but they also farm their lauded 14-acre Yu-ki Estate vineyards that’s part of the Sonoma Coast AVA, just 4 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Do the Redwood Grove tasting with a BYO picnic. 

Reserve Your Tasting Experience

Freeman Vineyard & Winery was proud to be the featured vintner at the Waldorf Astoria Park City’s recent wine dinner, part of their celebrated summer series. The evening, held on July 30, 2025, paired five elegant courses with a selection of Freeman wines—including our Rosé, Dry Riesling, Chardonnay, and the 2021 Gloria Estate Pinot Noir—served to 32 guests gathered around a communal table overlooking the mountains.

Ken and Akiko Freeman joined the dinner to share stories of the wines and the Freeman winemaking philosophy. But as beautifully seamless as the event appeared to diners, the Park Record captured the true depth of coordination required behind the scenes—from timed plating and synchronized wine pours to last-minute kitchen adjustments and meticulous attention to guest preferences.

We’re grateful to Executive Chef Stuart Roger, Pastry Chef Thea Malinao, the entire Waldorf Astoria Park City culinary and service teams, and everyone who helped bring the evening to life.

We’re thrilled to be featured in the San Francisco Chronicle’s 2025 list of the Best Wineries in Sonoma County.

Wine critic Esther Mobley highlights Freeman for its “restrained Pinot Noir tastings in a cave,” where visitors sample cool-climate wines crafted by Akiko Freeman and Eiji Daniel Akaboshi. Tastings often include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and, on select days, sparkling wine or Riesling.

Set beneath redwoods at our Gloria Estate Vineyard, the cave offers a naturally cool and intimate experience. Tastings are by reservation.

We’re honored to be recognized among such an inspiring group of Sonoma wineries.