As we celebrate Earth Day we need to remember that sustainable
winegrowing is important to winemakers and vineyards throughout
California. The Wine Institute has
developed their sustainable winegrowing program and region after region have
incorporated this program into their practices.
On April 20 the California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing
Leadership Awards were announced and recipients were honored at a lunch reception
and ceremony in Sacramento. The California Green Medal, developed to showcase
leading wineries and vineyards committed to sustainability, is presented by the
California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, the California Association of
Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley
Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers and The Vineyard Team. Many association
partners also helped to promote the awards which were selected by a panel of
wine and sustainability experts.
Awardees of the four 2016 Green Medals are:
The Leader Award is given
to the vineyard or winery that excels in all “3 E’s” of
Sustainability—Environmentally sound, socially Equitable and Economically
viable. The winner, Jackson Family Wines,
has been a sustainability innovator and an early adopter of healthy land
management practices since the winery’s founding in 1982, with more recent
actions guided by a company-wide sustainability strategy and a comprehensive
audit of environmental impacts in 2008. Incorporating triple bottom-line
sustainability principles across all aspects of their business, the company
deployed solar arrays at eight wineries and collaborated with Tesla to reduce
energy demand and increase grid reliability, utilized industry-first water
conservation technologies, introduced human resource initiatives to improve
employees’ well-being, paid a price premium for certified sustainable
winegrapes and led voluntary drought initiatives.
The Environment Award is
given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Environmental
Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing
sustainable practices. The winner is Halter
Ranch Vineyard. The environmental stewardship commitment by Halter Ranch
Vineyard owner Hansjörg Wyss is demonstrated by the decision to preserve 1,700
acres of the Halter Ranch property with 18% planted to vineyards that work in
harmony with the undeveloped acres to provide habitat, wildlife corridors and
biodiversity. The winery also works with the Wyss Foundation to help local
communities and partners conserve millions of acres. Halter Ranch conserves
water, resulting in over a 50% reduction in irrigation; captures rain and
winery water bringing over two million gallons back to irrigation ponds; and
farms 281 acres of vines without removing oak trees or displacing existing
wildlife and plant life.
The Community Award is
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. The winner is Tablas
Creek Vineyard. Since its establishment in 1989, Tablas Creek has been a
trendsetter for its wine region, actively involved in the Paso Robles community
through the local winery association and by hosting workshops to share
sustainability practices. The winery has partnered with organizations such as
charities, the local animal shelter, arts and youth sports organizations and
has donated more than $100,000 to support local youth and arts programs since
2002. Tablas Creek promotes productivity and job satisfaction by compensating
employees with fully funded medical, dental and vision benefits,
employer-matching 401k plans, educational support, wine shares and annual
profit-sharing bonuses to both part-time and full-time employees. The staff is
encouraged to continue education.
The Business Award is given
to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through
efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable
practices. The winner is McManis Family
Vineyards. With a focus on constant improvement of practices and adoption
of the latest farming and winemaking technologies, McManis Family Vineyards’
water use efficiency measures in the vineyard include the use of soil moisture
sensors, flow meters and distribution uniformity tests; while their winery
recycles water and averages one gallon of water to produce one gallon of wine.
Sustainable practices have also decreased energy use, diesel use and tractor
work and limited the impact on soil. Making sustainability a core part of their
business strategy has not only benefited the environment, surrounding community
and employee retention, but has streamlined processes in the vineyard, winery
and office, resulting in economic gains that help ensure a thriving business
for future generations.
"The awards program provides an exciting opportunity for
California growers and vintners to be recognized for their hard work and
dedication to sustainability," said Allison Jordan, CSWA Executive Director.
“The challenge was selecting four winners from the stellar applications we
received from vineyards and wineries of all sizes from throughout California.
The committee and judging panel were impressed by the breadth and depth of
sustainable practices being used 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.”
The second annual California Green Medal was judged by a panel of wine
and sustainability experts. They include: Karen Block, Industrial Relations
Manager, Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis; Hunter Francis, Director/Founder,
Center for Sustainability in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental
Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Allison Jordan, Executive Director,
California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance; Camron King, President, Lodi
Winegrape Commission; Karissa Kruse, President, Sonoma County Winegrowers;
Kelli McCune, Senior Project Manager, Sustainable Conservation; Michelle Novi,
Industry Relations Manager, Napa Valley Vintners; Cyril Penn, Editor in Chief,
Wine Business Monthly; and Beth Vukmanic Lopez, SIP Certification Manager, The
Vineyard Team.
Sponsors are:
Exclusive Media Sponsor –
Wine Business Monthly
Platinum Sponsor – Nomacorc
Silver Sponsors – CC Wine
Caves, Farm Credit Alliance, Marin Clean Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric
Company, SureHarvest
Bronze Sponsor – Ag
Unlimited, Preserva Products, Ltd.
Partnering organizations include the Anderson Valley Winegrowers
Association, California Green Business Program, Fish Friendly Farming,
Mendocino County Resource Conservation District, Napa County Resource
Conservation District, Napa Valley Grapegrowers, Paso Robles Wine Country
Alliance, Russian River Valley Winegrowers, Temecula Valley Winegrowers, and
Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley.
Accepting the 2016 California Green Medal Awards were: (L-R)
Lucas Pope of Halter Ranch Vineyard; Katie Jackson of Jackson Family Wines;
Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard; and Dirk Heuvel of McManis Family
Vineyards