There are two main drags in the Napa Valley that run roughly parallel – Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail. There are many incredible Napa Green wineries (easily identifiable with their green Napa Green Certified signs) right off these roadways. But this itinerary will take you to tucked away spots run by some powerhouse women, deeply dedicated to the stewardship of the Napa Valley.
Julie Johnsonโs property is tucked away in Rutherford at the foot of the Mayacamas mountain range, sitting atop the rich soils of the Rutherford bench. A visit to Tres Sabores is a visit to authentic Napa Valley. The small Napa Green Winery and organic vineyards look out across the valley. Julie has over 50 year old Zinfandel vines, and if sheโs around sheโll likely head down a vine row, pull up some cover crops and talk about how theyโre feeding the soil, and how they might feed you in a salad. Sit under the 100-year-old olive grove and sip some Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Cabernet Sauvignon and Por Quรฉ No, a juicy red blend. Maybe dip into her small wine cave, one of the smallest youโll see in the Valley.ย
Tres Sabores puts sheep, guinea hens, chickens (and golden retrievers) to work in the vineyard. Theyโve installed bluebird boxes and are part of a study of the insect-eating benefits of bluebirds. Their pomegranate trees attract hummingbirds, which also eat insects as a significant part of their diet. Julie is incredibly thoughtful about every element of their environmental footprint. Visit for the lovely, well-priced, high-value wines and know that youโll have a hard time leaving this special property.
Delia Viader (vee-uh-dare) originally hails from Argentina but sheโs been making some of the Napa Valleyโs most coveted red wines for decades. Her son Alan has taken the winemaking reins and now his sons sometimes help out in the cellar as well. Their family property is halfway up Howell Mountain, with gorgeous views across the valley to Spring Mountain. They not only make quintessential Cabernet Sauvignon, but also one of my favorite varieties, Cabernet Franc. As with all three of these wineries, Viader is quite small production and itโs hard to find their wines outside of the winery.ย
When Alan isnโt making wine heโs also serving as a volunteer firefighter. Their property served as a staging ground to fight the Glass Fire back in 2020. Their forested land didnโt escape unscathed but the Napa Green winery, hillside wine caves, and family home all made it through. This family operation cares deeply about the future of the Napa Valley. They think carefully about green purchasing, saving water and energy, and giving back to the community. You donโt want to miss visiting this mountainside winery.
On the outskirts of St. Helena youโll find Spottswoodeโs Napa Green and organic vineyards and historic stone winery, with a grandmother oak shading the tasting room. Spottswoode was the first certified organic vineyard in the Napa Valley back in 1992. Now, good luck finding a certification they donโt have. Hopefully youโll have a chance to walk along the vineyards, maybe spot some sheep, and get a glimpse of the family estate gardens and 19th century home. When I was young, I used to look through their leaf covered stone gate, to the green, flower-lined paths and palm trees, and think it was a fairy land. At Spottswoode youโll enjoy one of the valleyโs best Sauvignon Blancs and several estate Cabernet Sauvignons.ย
Beth Milliken is a tireless leader who is constantly pushing her peers to greater heights of environmental stewardship and climate action. They started with organic and today they are also both Napa Green Vineyard and Winery certified, B Corp, TRUE Zero Waste, and part of 1% for the Planet. They are one of the founding members of International Wineries for Climate Action, doing detailed annual emissions inventories, which has led them to lighten their glass weight, reduce business trips, and cater employee lunches to avoid packaging waste. Youโll know if you meet Molly Sheppard, who wears a few hats, including Environmental Manager. She has an infectious energy and kindness that helps motivate the Spottswoode team to continuously craft the highest quality wines with the lowest carbon footprint.
Anna Brittain | Executive Director ofย Napa Green
Anna is a Napa Valley native. She has worked locally, nationally and internationally on environmental management and policy with organizations ranging from the environmental economics think tank Resources for the Future in Washington, DC to the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Hanoi, Vietnam. She has spent over 13 years facilitating and growing sustainability and climate action in the wine industry, with an expertise in communications and certification standards. Anna has served as a lead consultant with Ontario Craft Wineries, Sustainable Winegrowing British Columbia, Crimson Wine Group, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, and individual wineries including Benziger Family Winery.
Anna has helped lead the growth of the Napa Green program since 2015, and stepped into the position of Executive Director of the independent non-profit in fall 2019. In 2022 and 2023, she led the launch of the action-oriented RISE Climate & Wine Symposium (formerly THRIVES), with 70+ expert speakers, 40+ sustainability sponsors, and 750+ guests.
In 2023, Anna was named by the Wine Enthusiast as a Future 40 Tastemaker, and Wine Business Monthly as a Wine Industry Leader. In 2024, she was included in The Imbibe 75: โPeople and places that will shape the way we drink in 2024 and beyond.โ
Anna has a Masterโs Degree in Environmental Science & Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara, with specializations in Water Resource Management and Economics & Policy. She has a Bachelorโs degree with Honors in Political Science and Environmental Studies from Williams College.
Wondering what this sign hung outside of the winery that you work at means? Want to be able to talk more about what it means to be @napagreen certified??
Join the Napa Green Ambassador training at Clos du Val on Wednesday, June 25 from 9-11 am to learn the answers and more.
Tickets are free but space is limited so reserve your spot from the Workshops & Events link in our bio.
#climateaction #napagreen #napagreencertified #climatesmartwinery #regenerativeag #regenerativefarming
๐ Do you want to learn more about what it means to be a Napa Green Certified Vineyard or Winery?
๐ Do you have new team members who still arenโt sure what that Napa Green Certified sign hanging out front actually means?
๐ Are you curious about this term thatโs suddenly popping up everywhere โ regenerative?
๐ Want to know what exactly does it mean to be climate smart?
Join us Wednesday, June 25, 2025 @closduval to learn how to talk about being @napapagreen certified.
Use the event link in our bio to register.
#climateaction #wineindustry #wineindustryleadership #climatesmart #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery #regenerativevineyard #regenerativeag
๐ข Attn Wineries!! Today is last day to sign up for the Cheers to Climate Smart Wines this July!
Email winery@napagreen.org to sign up today!
Thank you all for making RISE Climate & Wine Symposium a success! We 70 powerful speakers and 650 guests across the six events, dozens of commitments to action, and a flood of positive, heartfelt feedback.
Letโs keep the momentum going!
๐ธ: @briana_marie
Congratulations to Napa Green Certified @cliffamily for winning the RISE Leadership Award for Supply Chain & Waste Management Excellence!
Clif Family attended our first conference & committed to reducing their bottle weight and waste. They set upon an inspiring journey to change their packaging based on their outdoors loving and mountaineering inspired founders. They were able to..
โข lighten the weight of a case of their wine by almost 8 lbs!
โข reduce their carbon output by 42 metric tons!
โข institute fully recyclable, bio based shippers that keep wine cool!
โข eliminate all foils!
โข eliminate all plastic & metal moving fully to renewable cork enclosures!
Their customers responded with absolute enthusiasm.
โThis story is not just about wine packaging or supply chain decisions. Itโs about how we do business. Itโs leading with values. Itโs about remembering that the best way to climb higher.. is to carry less.โ - Sarah Richmond, Clif Family Winery.
Take action this Earth Month with Napa Green. Our team of experts is ready to assist you in achieving your climate action goals for both your vineyard and winery, no matter where you are in your sustainability journey.
๐ฅ @robot_productions
#earthday #earthdayeveryday #earthmonth #climateaction #sustainabilty #climatesmart #regenerativeag
๐ดWednesday April, 23rd is the day NOT to miss lunch at @cliffamily!!
Come enjoy delicious food while supporting Napa Green! See you there.
Uniquely, Napa Green isnโt just a roadmap of leading practices. Napa Green provides an expert, boots-on-the-ground consulting team that develops:
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Regenerative Carbon Farm Plans (to enhance soil health, biodiversity, resilience, and carbon storage)
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Irrigation Distribution Uniformity Assessments (to maximize water efficiency)
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Integrated Resource Assessments (to reduce energy, water, waste and emissions in production)
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Action Plans for continuing improvement (tailored to the opportunities and goals of each vineyard or winery)
Additionally, we support soil sampling and analysis, provide resource assistance, run practical training and education workshops throughout the year, and provide valuable, hands-on guidance in meeting your climate action goals.
โ
Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with โ21 Days, 21 Waysโ counting down to Earth Day.
๐ท @buddsocial
๐ @tressabores
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness
Napa Greenโs vineyard team is trained to develop regenerative, whole-farm Carbon Farm Plans (CFPs). These plans review all of the current beneficial practices that are increasing soil and ecosystem health and storing carbon, and identify additional opportunities to regenerate the soil and vineyard ecosystem and simultaneously maximize carbon capture in a given property. Each vineyardโs goal is to become carbon neutral (or negative) and increase the resilience of vineyards, businesses, and our community.
โ
Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with โ21 Days, 21 Waysโ counting down to Earth Day.
๐ท @soilrainandhope
๐ @tressabores
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness
Clear pathways for employee advancement are essential for a thriving workforce and driving success. They boost retention, job satisfaction, productivity, and attract top talent. Napa Green Certified members develop pathways for growth, discussing career goals and progress with employees during reviews.
โ
Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with โ21 Days, 21 Waysโ counting down to Earth Day.
๐ท @briana_marie
๐ @dominusestatewinery
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness
Forests are not only our largest terrestrial carbon sink, they are also home to 80% of the worldโs on-land diversity. We need healthy forests, which means a balanced density of native trees and plants. Healthy forests experience lower intensity fires with less tree mortality, meaning higher carbon retention and ecosystem function.
โ
Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with โ21 Days, 21 Waysโ counting down to Earth Day.
๐ท @abrittain
๐ @seaveyvineyard
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness
Napa Green Certified Wineries benefit from an on-site Integrated Resource Assessment (IRA) led by our experienced engineers and winemakers. This IRA evaluates resource metrics, monitors progress, and identifies areas for improvement to increase efficiency and save $$$.
โ
Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with โ21 Days, 21 Waysโ counting down to Earth Day.
๐ @materrawines
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness
All of our members are committed to using at least 60% renewable energy, whether through on-site solar and other renewable sources or by working with @mcecleanenergy to access clean power through the grid. The impact? Over 1.2 million pounds of CO2e saved by wineries and vineyards in just one year. To put that into perspective itโs the equivalent to offsetting the emissions from driving over 1.5 million miles in a typical gas-powered car!
โ
Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with โ21 Days, 21 Waysโ counting down to Earth Day.
๐ท @love.dream.breathe
๐ @corisonwinery
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness #renewableenergy #greenpower #greenenergy
As part of their commitment to sustainability, Napa Green Certified Winery members collaborate with key suppliers and utilize their purchasing power to support eco-friendly practices. In the same way, we can make a difference at home by choosing materials made from post-consumer recycled materials, and selecting reusable, recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, and non-toxic products.
โ
Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with โ21 Days, 21 Waysโ counting down to Earth Day.
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness #greenpurchasing #supplychain
Napa Green Certified Vineyards implement climate-smart burn practices, such as Conservation Burning, Flame Cap Kilns, and Air Curtain Burners. These practices reduce smoke and emissions and create biochar. Biochar is re-fossilized wood that provides long-term carbon storage. Even more compelling, when inoculated and applied with compost, biochar aids in water retention and increases water and fertilizer efficiency.
โ
Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with โ21 Days, 21 Waysโ counting down to Earth Day.
๐ @gloriaferrerwinery
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness
Napa Green Certified Vineyards implement practices to create habitat for beneficial wildlife, including bluebirds, owls, bats, and raptors. Members may also install boxes and perches if trees or other natural perches arenโt present to encourage these animals in the vineyard. These measures are part of a broader commitment to sustainable and regenerative farming practices.
โ
Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with โ21 Days, 21 Waysโ counting down to Earth Day.
๐ท @soilrainandhope
๐ @tressaboreswinery
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness #biodiversity