California Ag Network

Tag: California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance

  • Sustainability Implemented at Scale Across CA Wine Sector

    The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) recently released the 2025 California Wine Community Sustainability Report, which finds that sustainability is being implemented at broad scale across the state, with approximately 70% of California wine grape acreage certified to a sustainability program and more than 90% of California wine produced in a certified sustainable winery.

    Published every five years, the report draws on aggregated vineyard and winery performance data and provides an update on CSWA’s education, outreach, certification and partnership efforts. The latest findings document measurable progress since the 2020 report, including improvement in 65% of the vineyard sustainability criteria evaluated and 53% of the winery criteria.

    “Sustainability has long been part of the heart of California wine, and this report shows how that commitment is translating into meaningful action across the state,” said Allison Jordan, CSWA executive director. “We are proud of the progress growers and vintners have made to conserve natural resources, strengthen their communities and build more resilient businesses, while continuing to look for ways to do even better.”

    Sustainability Participation Continues to Grow
    Participation in sustainability assessment has continued to expand across both vineyards and wineries.

    Since 2021, growers farming 2,745 vineyards covering more than 350,000 acres have used the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing to assess their operations. That represents a 19% increase in participating vineyards and a 34% increase in acreage.

    During the same period, 282 wineries producing approximately 210 million cases annually have used the Code to assess their operations, representing a 23% increase in winery participation.

    The report’s appendix includes aggregated data for the 144 vineyard and 105 winery best practices in the Code, which helps California winegrape growers and vintners evaluate their sustainability performance and identify practical opportunities for continued improvement.

    Measurable Progress Across Vineyards and Wineries
    As participation has grown, the data also show meaningful improvement in how sustainable practices are being implemented across vineyard and winery operations.

    Vineyard sustainability performance improved in 65% of the evaluated criteria compared with the 2020 report. Highlights include:

    • Soil health: 99% of growers allowed resident vegetation to grow in the vineyard, used cover crops and/or applied compost to encourage nutrient cycling and protect soil structure.
    • Energy efficiency: 97% reduced energy use through water-pump improvements, one of the largest energy-saving opportunities in vineyard operations.
    • Pest management: 85% used cultural practices to manage pests naturally and reduce the need for pesticides.
    • Water efficiency: 83% used micro-irrigation systems that enable targeted irrigation and more efficient water management.

    Winery sustainability performance improved in 53% of the evaluated criteria compared with the 2020 report. Highlights include:

    • Sustainable business strategy: 98% integrated sustainability into their business strategy.
    • Water efficiency: 97% measured and monitored water use to manage it responsibly.
    • Energy efficiency: 96% conducted an energy audit of their winery operations within the past five years to identify savings, control costs and improve operational performance.

    The report also demonstrates the ways growers and vintners are supporting employees, neighbors and local communities:

    • Neighbors: 100% of growers provided neighbors with contact information and responded to community concerns.
    • Contributions: 97% of vintners volunteered or made other contributions to enhance their local communities.
    • Wildlife: 94% of growers allowed resident or native vegetation to grow near local waterways, helping protect water bodies and surrounding habitats.
    • Employees: 90% of vintners encouraged employees to recommend ways to improve operational efficiency and sustainability.

    Expanding Tools, Education and Industry Engagement

    Supporting that progress is an expanding network of tools, education and outreach designed to help growers and vintners put sustainable practices into action and continue improving over time.

    From 2021 through 2025, CSWA expanded its efforts to help vineyards and wineries document, measure and strengthen their sustainability performance. Key accomplishments included the launch of the California Vineyard and Winery Climate Action Toolkit and publication of the fifth edition of the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing. To date, more than 19,300 participants have attended CSWA educational events.

    CSWA also broadened access to California wine sustainability information through an updated Sustainable Winegrowing Ambassador Course, a redesigned CSWA website, a website highlighting California wine’s sustainability milestones and a consumer-facing certification website.

    The report also reflects several important milestones, including CSWA’s 20th anniversary in 2023, the 15th anniversary of Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing and the 10th anniversary of the California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards.

    “These programmatic accomplishments and industry-wide implementation and certification of sustainable practices demonstrate meaningful progress toward CSWA’s vision of vibrant businesses, stronger communities and a healthier environment,” Jordan said. “They also underscore the California wine community’s leadership and resiliency in addressing today’s most pressing sustainability challenges.”

    — Story contributed by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance

  • California Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Award-Winners Announced

    As we kick off California’s Down to Earth Month, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance celebrates four wineries and vineyard companies awarded 2025 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. These companies join a decade of past winners from throughout the Golden State. These awardees are recognized for their notable sustainability practices and innovation based on a comprehensive judging process focused on both sustainable viticulture and winemaking. Presented by several California wine organizations devoted to sustainability, four green medals are awarded annually in the following categories: Leader, Environment, Community and Business. American Vineyard Magazine was proud to be among this year’s awards sponsors.

    “As the California Green Medal enters its second decade, this year’s winners exemplify leadership and innovation in sustainable winegrowing,” said Allison Jordan, executive director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. “These four outstanding wineries and vineyards showcase the holistic commitment to sustainability — preserving natural resources, protecting the environment, enhancing wine quality and enriching the lives of employees and communities — all while producing exceptional grapes and wines.”

    Winners of the 2025 California Green Medals are:

    LEADER AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that excels in the three “Es” of sustainability — Environmentally sound, socially Equitable and Economically viable practices.

    Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery
    Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery in St. Helena, California, has integrated an unwavering holistic approach into every aspect of its operations for decades. Practicing organic farming since 1985, Spottswoode holds many certifications including Regenerative Organic Certified®, Napa Green Vineyard and Winery, B Corp, California Certified Organic Farmers, Demeter Biodynamic, International Wineries for Climate Action Gold Level and True Zero Waste Gold Level, showcasing its deep commitment to land and community stewardship. Focusing on soil health and biodiversity, Spottswoode is using no-till farming, nutrient-rich cover crops and sheep grazing to enhance soil while reducing environmental impact. Their innovative water conservation efforts — including real-time vine water analysis, nighttime irrigation and high-efficiency cleaning systems — have cut water use 28% since 2010. Solar arrays support wine production, agricultural and office energy use while electric vehicles further reduce their emissions. Beyond their estate, Spottswoode advances environmental stewardship and empowers fellow growers’ transition to organic farming through financial incentives and technical assistance. Spottswoode also drives climate advocacy by participating in multiple sustainability-focused boards. For their environmental and community leadership and dedication to a vibrant, sustainable future, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery is the winner of the 2025 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leader Award.

    ENVIRONMENT AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices.

    CHANDON
    Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, CHANDON is a pioneer in sustainable winegrowing, continuously pushing the boundaries of environmental stewardship. With CHANDON, water conservation is a top priority with automated irrigation and real-time moisture monitoring on 257 acres of vineyard and drought-tolerant rootstocks planted to even more acres, reducing water use across the vineyard. Over 80% of the water used in their vineyards is recycled, ensuring efficiency without compromising vine health. Through composting, cover cropping and sheep grazing, they nurture soil health while enhancing biodiversity across their vineyards. CHANDON also leads in renewable energy, with solar panels powering operations and a growing fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles replacing fossil fuel-dependent equipment. Beyond their vineyards, CHANDON restores native habitats, planting miles of hedgerows and 1,000 oak trees with a policy to replant three trees for every tree that is dead or removed to enhance biodiversity. Their commitment extends to waste reduction, with a transition to lightweight glass bottles alone cutting carbon emissions by 10%. For their dedication to protecting the land and pioneering sustainable practices, we celebrate CHANDON as the recipient of the 2025 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Environment Award.

    COMMUNITY AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that is a Good Neighbor and Employer using the most innovative practices that enhance relations with employees, neighbors and/or communities.

    Jordan Vineyards & Winery
    Located in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley, Jordan Vineyards & Winery is a pillar of sustainability and community. A significant portion of Jordan’s revenue funds the John Jordan Foundation, which has impacted over 220 organizations in education, health and youth services. The foundation has supported crisis relief efforts, including housing displaced animals during wildfires and donating $100,000 to Sonoma Restaurant Relief during the pandemic. In the past two years, Jordan has hosted a philanthropic event for Smile Train, raising more than $100,000 for cleft palate care. In efforts to share philanthropy with its employees, in 2025, Jordan’s 100 employees will receive $1,000 each to donate to a nonprofit of their choice, reinforcing their culture of giving back to the local and international community. With a commitment to preserving over 75% of its 1,200-acre estate as native habitat, Jordan has planted over 2,500 pollinator plants, earning the 2022 Monarch Sustainer of the Year award. Solar panels generate 70% of the winery’s electricity while greenhouse gas emissions have dropped 86% by procuring remaining electricity from local renewable energy sources. For its unwavering dedication to community, sustainability and a better future for all, Jordan Vineyards & Winery is the recipient of the 2025 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Community Award.

    BUSINESS AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.

    Nuveen Natural Capital
    With operations throughout California, Nuveen Natural Capital (NNC) exemplifies how sustainability is not just good for the planet — it’s good for business. Their commitment to soil health on their managed properties is reflected in their range of responsible practices including biochar application and cover-crop crimping. Such practices improve soil productivity and enhance carbon sequestration. As part of their integrated pest management approach, NNC developed a custom application to monitor pests and pathogens, as well as beneficial organisms. They also experiment with innovative techniques such as UV-C light technology for fungus control and electricity to control weeds with the goal of reducing reliance on crop protection materials and associated costs. These strategies benefit the environment and soil health as well as promote biodiversity, helping to build resilient ecosystems. Their energy efficiency efforts, including the use of renewable diesel across 15,000 acres of vineyards, demonstrate their intent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase economic efficiency. Another example of the cost benefits of sustainable winegrowing is NNC’s investment in PVC liners to fortify porous canals and reservoirs that has saved substantial amounts of water and energy, demonstrating NNC’s comprehensive approach to water efficiency. NNC blends sustainability with social equity and opportunities for people with disabilities, proving that every vineyard can cultivate a more inclusive future. Crop managers are encouraged to hire, train and support people with disabilities in viticultural work and over 150 workers have found employment through this initiative. For their integration of sustainable practices with business efficiency, technological innovation and community engagement, Nuveen Natural Capital is the recipient of the 2025 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Business Award.

    About the California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards
    The California Green Medal is presented by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners, Napa Green, Sonoma County Winegrowers and Vineyard Team. California vineyards and wineries that participate in a sustainability program in California are eligible to apply in four award categories (Leader, Environment, Community and Business) that recognize outstanding achievement in sustainability. A judging panel of wine and sustainability experts make the final selections, and each recipient receives an engraved Green Medal and is recognized for their contributions to California wines’ world-leading efforts on wine sustainability. A customized award ceremony also helps to share their achievement with staff, customers, media and other stakeholders of their choice.

  • U.S. Wine Industry Gathers to Discuss Opportunities and Value of Sustainability

    The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance partnered with several wine grape industry organizations recently in hosting the 3rd U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit in Lodi, CA. Attendees enjoyed a local vineyard and winery tour, and engaged in educational sessions highlighting the evolving definition of sustainability and its value to growers, vintners and consumers. American Vineyard Magazine Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Allison Jordan, Executive Director of the Alliance, at the Summit to share some of these insights and remarkable progress of the U.S. wine industry in becoming certified sustainable.  Watch this brief video and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing Achieves Highest Level Equivalence in Global Sustainable Ag Benchmark

    Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing — a third-party vineyard, winery and wine certification program administered by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) — is the first sustainable winegrowing certification to achieve Gold Level equivalence against the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) version 3.0. FSA provides a globally recognized framework for sustainable agriculture certification and a consistent approach to demonstrate and validate alignment.

    CSWA joins over 100 sustainability programs that have been benchmarked against the FSA. Only 20%, now including CSWA, have achieved Gold Level equivalence.

    “Congratulations to the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance for achieving FSA Gold Level equivalence for Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing,” said Joe Iveson, FSA Manager at SAI Platform. “This is a great achievement that reflects a strong commitment to promoting sustainable winegrape growing and ensuring alignment with global best practices.”

    The FSA was developed with experts from inside and outside of agriculture, including leading NGOs, universities, farmers and their representative groups. The benchmark was carried out by SureHarvest, an FSA-approved consultant that determined the Gold Level Equivalence based on rigorous analysis. Vineyards certified to Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing can also be recognized at FSA Gold Level Equivalent, and count towards any other FSA users’ sustainable sourcing targets.

    The FSA includes a set of over 100 questions covering 11 sustainability topic areas: Farm Management and Community, Plant Material Selection and Propagation, Soil Management, Nutrient Management, Crop Protection, Waste Management, Water Management, Biodiversity, Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Labor Conditions and Integrated Pest Management. To achieve Gold Level equivalence, a program must address 100% of essential criteria, 100% of intermediate criteria and 75% or more of advanced criteria.

    “CSWA uses internationally recognized best practices for sustainability certification and verification programs — such as the FSA — to develop and maintain a credible and meaningful program,” said Allison Jordan, CSWA executive director. “We’re proud to be the first winegrowing certification to achieve Gold Level Equivalence.”

    Introduced in 2010, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing provides annual third-party verification that a winery or vineyard has adopted and implemented stringent sustainable winegrowing practices based on the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing and has committed to continuous improvement in those areas. In addition to implementing required practices that address the environmental and social responsibility aspects of sustainability, companies must determine the areas in which they need to improve and focus their resources to help meet their sustainability goals year after year. Currently, 80% of California wine is made in a Certified California Sustainable Winery and more than 2,500 vineyards, totaling 38% of the state’s winegrape acres, are certified sustainable.

    CSWA is committed to alignment with international standards for sustainability certification programs. In 2017, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing underwent an extensive oversight evaluation by SCS Global Services, a leader in third-party sustainability certification standards development. SCS Global Services confirmed that the program adheres to international best practices in certification including ISO/IEC Guide 59:1994, ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and ISEAL Credibility Principles. Benchmarking to FSA is another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to a global framework for sustainable agriculture.

    • Visit the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing website or email CSWA to learn more about Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing.
    • To learn more about the FSA benchmarking and to access scoring for benchmarked schemes, see the FSA Benchmark Overview and FSA Benchmarking Results.About California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance  

      CSWA is a leader in promoting sustainable winegrowing practices within the California wine industry. Created by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers in 2003, CSWA is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that implements the educational California Sustainable Winegrowing Program and administers Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing. CSWA provides the industry with a robust collection of sustainability resources that include the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing, a workbook that enables growers and vintners to evaluate over 200 sustainable practices from grapes to glass against industry best practices and provides a clear path to integrating sustainable practices into their operations.

  • CA Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance Certification Report Shows Continued Growth

    Marking a decade since the launch of Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing and nearly two decades since the release of the 1st Edition California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Workbook (the Code), the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) issued the 2020 Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing Annual Report and published the 4th Edition California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing containing over 200 best practices.

    “Transparency and continuous improvement are two of the mantras of sustainable winegrowing in California,” said Allison Jordan, CSWA’s Executive Director. “The 2020 report provides statistics and demonstrates progress in adoption of sustainable practices by a growing number of certified vineyards and wineries over the past year. CSWA considers the Code a ‘living document’ that is regularly updated to reflect the latest sustainability best practices.”
    2020 Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing Annual Report

    The California wine industry’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated by the incredible growth in vineyard and winery participation in Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing over the past decade. Commemorating the program’s 10-year anniversary, CSWA released the 2020 certification report, the 4th annual publication, which illustrates California’s global leadership in sustainable winegrowing, with the most widely adopted sustainable winegrowing programs in the world in terms of both winegrape acreage and case production.

    As of December 2020, 171 wineries producing 80% of California’s total wine production (255 million cases) and 2,247 vineyards farming 32% of California winegrape acreage (204,122 acres) are Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing. The total statewide certified vineyard acreage is nearly 50% based on the additional 15% of California vineyard acreage certified to other state sustainability programs, including Fish Friendly Farming, Lodi Rules, Napa Green and Sustainability in Practice (SIP). The program was updated in 2017 to allow use of a new logo on labels and 6.2 million cases (76 million bottles) bear the logo, showing that the wine was made in a Certified California Sustainable Winery with 85% or more of grapes from certified vineyards (including Certified California Sustainable, Lodi Rules and SIP) and 100% from California.

    View a list of current Certified California Sustainable vineyards, wineries and wines here.

    View the Annual Report here and companion appendix here, which includes more comprehensive reporting of the adoption of sustainable practices by certified vineyards and wineries.

    4th Edition California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing

    Beginning late 2019, CSWA undertook a significant review process in preparation for the publication of the 4th Edition Code, which was published in December 2020. Each chapter was reviewed extensively by staff and consultants, the Sustainable Winegrowing Joint Committee (a group of over 50 California growers and vintners) as well as subject matter experts, in addition to a public comment period. Updates include several new criteria addressing topics such as diversity, soil carbon sequestration, virus management, vineyard solid waste, as well as new prerequisites and educational content. The 4th Edition is available free-of-charge to California vineyards and wineries via the CSWA Online System, or via a publicly available and downloadable PDF. (Learn more here.)

    The Code is the centerpiece of CSWA’s educational and certification programs, covering a broad range of sustainable practices used in vineyard and winery operations. Within its 15 chapters, the Code addresses best practices from grape to glass: sustainable business strategy, viticulture, soil management, vineyard water management, pest management, wine quality, ecosystem management, energy efficiency, winery water conservation and quality, material handling, solid waste reduction and management, sustainable purchasing, human resources, neighbors and community, air quality and climate protection.

    Building on major trends and successful regional efforts, including the first five viticulture chapters of the Lodi Winegrower’s Workbook and the Central Coast Vineyard Team’s Positive Points System, the Code was first published in 2002 to help all California vintners and growers continuously improve and adopt sustainable practices. (The 2nd Edition was published in late 2006, and the 3rd Edition was released in January 2013.) In 2010, the Code became the basis of Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, with independent auditors annually verifying that vineyards and wineries are using required practices and meeting an overall score threshold, as well as the accuracy of self-assessment scores.

    About the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance

    The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 2003 by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers. CSWA’s mission is to encourage adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices and communicate the California wine industry’s global leadership through education, outreach, certification and partnerships. The result of this work will be a healthier environment, stronger communities, and vibrant businesses.

  • Wine Growers Honored with Sixth Annual California Green Medal

    The California Green Medal winners have been announced for the Sixth annual Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. The California Green Medal recognizes the leadership of wineries and vineyards committed to sustainability and is presented by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers and Vineyard Team. Four Green Medals are presented in the following categories: Leader, Environment, Community and Business. The recipients of the Green Medal Awards will be honored at a ceremony at the California State Capitol in Sacramento in the coming months.

    Winners of the 2020 Green Medals are:

    LEADER AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that excels in the three “E’s” of sustainability—Environmentally sound, socially Equitable and Economically viable practices.

    Winner: J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

    With wineries in Paso Robles, San Jose and Greenfield, family-owned and operated J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines embodies leadership in all three aspects of sustainability – environment, community and business; all of its vineyards and wineries are Certified California Sustainable. The winery has been instrumental in several groundbreaking water efficiency initiatives, using innovative technologies to increase irrigation efficiency and recycle process water. In J. Lohr’s Paso Robles winery, they reduced the amount of water needed to make one gallon of wine from 3.5 to 1.3 gallons. The winery has also invested heavily in energy-efficient technologies, with a 756 KW solar (photovoltaic) tracking system that supplies 65% of electrical needs in Paso Robles and a 920.7 KW flat mount system that covers nearly 100% of energy needs at its new winery in Greenfield. Owl boxes, located every 30 to 40 acres in all of its vineyards, provide gopher control; while songbird boxes are installed to attract native species for biodiversity. J. Lohr has carried out extensive habitat and riverbank restoration along 3,900 feet of the Napa River that borders its Carol’s Vineyard in St. Helena.

    On the social aspect of sustainability, J. Lohr was one of the first vineyard companies to provide long-term employment and year-round health benefits to vineyard workers and their families. It also provides ongoing career education for all associates and an employee garden. A 16-member J. Lohr Sustainability Committee guides company-wide efforts and best practices, and employee newsletters and online Town Hall meetings keep associates informed and engaged in sustainability efforts. With a philosophy of “raising all boats,” J. Lohr shares knowledge and experience, invests money and time in research and educational infrastructure, participates and serves in leadership roles in policy, industry and trade organizations, and supports local and national charities and non-profits devoted, in part, to family health and well-being. Since its founding in 1974, J. Lohr has been a conscientious partner and leader in every aspect of the wine business – in the true spirit of cooperation and the desire to build a better, forward-looking sustainable wine industry.

    ENVIRONMENT AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices

    Winner: Bonterra Organic Vineyards

    With a deep respect for the environment, Bonterra Organic Vineyards in Mendocino County has been farming organically for more than 30 years. Bonterra’s green roots run deep and are exemplified in the winery’s approach to defining, measuring and growing its sustainability impact, as well as examining ways to continue to innovate and lead sustainability efforts in the wine industry. What initially began as an exploration of how organic farming could bring enhanced vitality to vineyards and wine has in recent years evolved into a deeper project at Bonterra, with the aim of understanding how wine growing can produce resilient, biodiverse landscapes and positive climate impacts.

    Bonterra’s focus today is regenerative agriculture, a practice that helps restore ecosystems through farming – comprising methods such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, compost application, animal grazing, integrated pest management, wildlife integration and wildland conservation – ultimately increasing soil fertility and enhancing the resilience of Bonterra’s vineyards. Made in a Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing winery, Bonterra operates entirely on green energy, its facility is certified Zero Waste and CarbonNeutral®, and it logged significant reductions in water, energy use and emissions in the winery’s most recent sustainability reporting period. Bonterra’s glass is made from 35% recycled material and it is actively expanding alternative packaging offerings including cans, bag-in-box and kegged offerings. The winery—whose parent company is the world’s largest wine company certified as a B Corporation—also looks beyond its own practices to its supply chain, working with grower partners to convert to organic farming practices.

    COMMUNITY AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that is a Good Neighbor & Employer using the most innovative practices that enhance relations with employees, neighbors and/or communities.

    Winner: Clif Family Winery

    Clif Family Vineyard Winemaker Laura Barrett

    Clif Family Winery’s approach to sustainability is to build a company that sustains and regenerates its people, the planet and its community, while creating engaging food and wine brands that sell, and building a successful profitable business. Every decision made is aimed at achieving its Five Aspirations, dedicated to business, brands, people, community and planet. Certified to Napa Green, Clif Family’s achievements include practices to support the local community through philanthropy, community service and many other activities. In 2019, the winery supported 344 charities through product and time donations and donated 20% of proceeds to local non-profits through its Sip and Support program. They close the business one day/year for community service, and the staff has served 950 volunteer hours. In addition, Clif Family Winery offers employees generous benefits (medical/dental/vision, an Employee Assistance Program, life insurance, continuing education) in addition to more unusual opportunities such as a $75 wellness stipend per month, $100 reimbursement for National Parks Passes and annual performance bonuses measured against its Five Aspirations. Equally important is the winery’s approach to the stewardship of natural resources, including conservation of water, biodiversity, energy and soil, as well as the investment in renewable energy.

    BUSINESS AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.

    Winner: Pisoni Family Vineyards

    Now in the hands of the third generation, Pisoni Family’s holistic and inclusive approach to practicing sustainability in their vineyards and winery in the Santa Lucia Highlands began with their grandparents, Eddie & Jane Pisoni, who started the family farming legacy in 1952. Their ethos is that the best approach to having a successful sustainability program is to be inclusive, transparent and open to new ideas. “Leaders don’t dictate—they inspire.” Examples of their focus on efficiency include monitoring every drop of water applied to their vineyards, and recording annual water usage, winter rain fall, shoot tip growth, leaf angle and vine color. To conserve water, a pressure bomb tracks leaf water potential, soil moisture probes are placed at different soil depths, the Tule System measures evapotranspiration and distribution uniformity tests are regularly conducted.

    In 2018, they installed a solar system which meets 80% of their electricity needs and offsets 240,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year. In addition, they upgraded winery lighting to LED and use variable frequency drive pumps in the vineyard to improve efficiency. The Pisoni Family welcomes local students and visitors from around the globe to visit their 1.5-acre insectary garden to learn about sustainable practices. When it comes to environmental stewardship and sustainability, Pisoni Family leads by doing and by being inclusive. A SIP-Certified vineyard, Pisoni Family loves their land as much as they love their community in Monterey County. It is through sustainability that they hope to give back for many generations to come.

    “The Green Medal recognizes the commitment and dedication to sustainability by California growers and vintners and shines a spotlight on industry leaders,” said Allison Jordan, CSWA Executive Director. “Once again, the judging panel was impressed by the breadth and depth of sustainable practices being used by growers and vintners across the state to conserve water and energy, maintain healthy soil, protect air and water quality, preserve wildlife habitat and enhance relations with employees and communities, all while improving the economic vitality of vineyards and wineries and growing and making high quality wine.”

    Congratulations to these outstanding growers, examples and friends to the industry!