NAPA GREEN NEWS

Hello Napa Green Community,

How is it already June, and when will summer weather arrive? I know it was a busy spring for all of us. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for the RISE Climate & Wine Symposium in April. We had roughly 750 guests across the six events, with dozens of commitments to action, including leveraging our Irrigation Assessment services, working with NapaChar and the Clean Burn Company on climate smart burns to make biochar, exploring the use of Blue Morph UV tank sanitation, using kegs in the tasting room, lightening glass bottles, working with Conscious Container on closed loop glass reuse, joining Napa Green, and more. 

Our team is here to support you in taking action. We want to keep the momentum going, so please reach out if we can provide support, and we’d love to hear about any successes. You can see the culminating RISE Press Release here

On that note, for any of you transitioning to the Napa Green Vineyard certification, now is the time to reach out to Ben and Sierra if you need to schedule an Irrigation Distribution Uniformity Assessment. They will share a follow-up report with recommendations to improve the efficiency of irrigation to maximize vine health and grape quality.

Here is a favorite photo from a much-needed vacation back in Croatia. I drank my share of Malvasia, Teran and Plavac Mali while there. 

Živjeli!

-Anna

Napa Green Team at RISE 2023

RISE EVENT RECORDINGS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING

Did you want to revisit one of the inspiring talks during RISE? Want to share the content with others in the industry? Or did you have to miss an event or two? Not to worry – all of the recordings and PowerPoint presentations have been posted. To access the slides look for the “Download Presentations” option at the top of each event page.

The Napa Green nonprofit and our RISE Symposium are dedicated to providing the support and resources to take action and level up sustainability and climate action leadership in the wine industry. Plans for our next RISE Symposium will be announced soon. 

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ROUNDUP & HERBICIDE SURVEY

It has been two years since Napa Green launched the new, cutting-edge Napa Green Vineyard certification focused on social justice, regenerative carbon farming, and climate action. We are now working on our first standards update, editing some of the language for clarity, adding resources, and augmenting some of the standards. As a part of this update Napa Green has been working with our Pesticide Working Group and Board of Directors to consider important updates to our Prohibited & Restricted Pesticides list. 

As we consider these updates, we are asking our members to please respond to this Roundup and Herbicide survey by June 16th. The survey should take a MAX of 10 minutes. https://forms.gle/TM2PGLyu9xYCDih39

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 10, 17 & 24 – Do The Work series with Dr. Akilah Cadet: This series of workshops is specifically for leaders working on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives in the wine industry, who want to do the work of becoming accomplices and learn how to integrate anti-racism work into every aspect of their personal and professional lives. https://www.diversityinwineforum.com/programs 

August 23 & 24 – Acres Healthy Soils Summit in Seaside: Includes optional half-day farm tour to Paicines Ranch and Pinnacle Organically Grown Produce. https://www.acresusa.com/healthy-soil-summit/

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Zero Foodprint has reopened their Restore Grants to fund farming practices that enhance soil carbon sequestration (e.g., compost, cover crops, hedgerows). Several of our grower members received small grants ($2-6,000) last year. Ben Mackie, our Vineyard Program Manager, can serve as your Technical Service Provider (TSP). There is an info session this Thursday, June 15th. Applications due July 20thhttps://www.zerofoodprint.org/apply

Compost Connecter: Growers can apply for a compost reimbursement from approved facilities. You must have official approval from Zero Foodprint before your compost order. Rolling applicationshttps://www.zerofoodprint.org/compost

Napa Green partnered with three champion members to host a series of wine benefit dinners in April that raised a pool of matching funds for industry sustainability and climate action projects. We will be sharing qualifying projects and opening a call for applications in Sept/Oct. A total of $60,000 will be distributed to growers and vintners that show the greatest financial need and opportunity for change and impact. Rolling applications begin October 2023.

CDFA HSP & SWEEP: The California Department of Food & Agriculture is piloting a block grant program for the Healthy Soils and State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program funding. This means that regional government agencies and ag nonprofits can apply for a lump sum of funds, and these organizations will then process farmer applications and administer funds to eligible growers. Napa Green is not applying because, unfortunately, no funding is included for administration. We will keep you updated if another regional organization receives a block grant. CDFA plans to reopen the HSP and SWEEP direct grower applications again this fall. Napa Green staff will be available to assist with applications and implementation.

WATER BOARD WINERY WDR – REQUEST FOR COUNTY CONTINUATION DUE AUGUST 1

All winery facilities are required to submit a Winery WDR enrollment application by January 20, 2024. There are potential exceptions in Napa County. 

Napa County is still pursuing an MOU with the State and as such the State has granted the County the ability to provide a 3-year extension for SOME of the winery facilities in Napa County. The criteria for the County approving the extension request are:

  • The winery facility is currently enrolled in Napa County’s Winery Waste Discharge Program, 
  • The facility has a current operating permit,
  • The facility is in compliance with the current discharge and reporting requirements. 

Applications for continuation under Napa County’s Winery Waste Discharge Program must be submitted by August 1, 2023. Learn more and submit your application for continuation here.

Napa Green Sponsors

Napa Green is grateful to our sponsors, who help fund our expanding operations and programs. If you are interested in becoming a Napa Green Sponsor please reach out to Napa Green Executive Director, Anna Brittain.

Social Justice, Equity & Inclusion. Perhaps our most important pillar of our six pillars of sustainability leadership. 

Thank you for the beautiful description @growresiliently!
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Register now at the link in our profile! 💦

May 23, 2024
Silver Oak Winery, Oakville
9:00 am - 12:15 pm

One of the most critical agricultural concerns with our changing climate, and more frequent & intense weather extremes, is precipitation and water availability. The good news is opportunities abound to optimize irrigation efficiency, and implement regenerative practices that improve soil health, water infiltration, and retention. 

Join us for The Future of Water, with highlights including a keynote from Peter Gleick, one of the world’s leading water experts, and Mimi Casteel, not only a viticulturist and winemaker, but also a forest ecologist with a vision for water resiliency.
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Join us for The Future of Water Workshop, to explore our water future, with highlights including a keynote from Peter Gleick, one of the world’s leading water experts (all guests will receive a copy of Peter’s most recent book, The Three Ages of Water) and Mimi Casteel, not only a viticulturist and winemaker, but also a forest ecologist with a vision for water resiliency.

Wine grape quality is closely tied to the right amount of water, at the right time. One of the most critical agricultural concerns with our changing climate, and more frequent & intense weather extremes, is precipitation and water availability. We’ve swung from historic drought to atmospheric rivers. Our community has huge swaths of unmanaged, unhealthy forests full of non-natives and overrun by firs, amplifying fire risk and undermining one of the most critical systems for groundwater recharge.

The good news is opportunities abound to optimize irrigation efficiency, and implement regenerative practices that improve soil health, water infiltration, and retention. A watershed coalition has also formed in Napa County to pilot and model creek & forest restoration for localized water resiliency and climate cooling. 

Come learn more on Thursday, May 23rd at 9:00am at @silveroakcellars.
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Sustainably sourced ingredients with Chef Sarah Heller 🌱 Purchase your tax deductible ticket to our Opus One x Napa Green dinner at the link in our profile!
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You’re invited.. 

Full details may be found at the link in our profile. Cheers!
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As we wrap up an amazing Earth Month, we want to thank you all for the support & for coming to see us at our events! 

Let’s keep the momentum going and remember that Earth Day is Every Day! 🌎
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Hear from @marisataylorwines about the importance of  water efficiency & savings and what we can all do to conserve this precious resource.
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Join us for a not to be missed dinner experience at @opusonewinery while supporting philanthropic efforts on behalf of climate action. 

An intimate group of 20 guests will be in attendance on the rotunda overlooking the estate vineyards. Chef Sarah Heller will prepare a four-course, locally-sourced dinner paired with Champagne Barons de Rothschild, Opalie de Château Coutet, and three vintages of Opus One wines. 

You will have the chance to share transformative conversations and form deep connections with industry leaders and change makers. 

Please find full invitation details at the link in our profile.
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Happy Earth Day Napa Valley! It’s an incredible joy to work with you all and see the forward progress being made all over this gorgeous place we call home. Thank you for caring, thank you for stepping up and thank you for making a difference!! 🌎💚
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Thanks to everyone who came out to @earthdaynapa and visited us at the @napagreen wine booth! 

 Cheers to @amici_cellars @cakebreadcellars @domainecarneros @handwrittenwines @robertmondavi and @whiterockvineyards for donating the certified sustainable wines to raise money for the Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County and helping make it a great event!
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We’re pouring some stellar Napa Green wines tomorrow at @earthdaynapa to include: 

@cakebreadcellars, @domainecarneros, @whiterockvineyards, @handwrittenwines, @amici_cellars & @robertmondavi!

Come by the booth! 🍷🌎
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What you can do in the vineyard & what you can do at home! 🌼🦋

#happyearthday #earthmonth #sustainability #biodiversity #pollinators #herbicidefree #napa #napavalley #cheers
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Come on by to @cliffamily! 💚🍴
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Come get involved this Earth Month! 🌎🌱

🌷 Earth Day Napa - Saturday, April 20th 11am -4pm at Oxbow Commons

🌷All Things Bottle Sustainability Workshop - Friday, April 26th at @pineridgewine from 9am -12:30pm. Registration is $20

🌷 All Things Bottle Sustainability Dinner! Friday, April 26th at @neotempowines with Karen MacNeil & Chef Dave Cruz! 

Message us directly or head to the link in our bio for info!
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Exciting news from @amici_cellars! 

In celebration of Earth Month, from now through May 11, use code NAPAGREEN for 10% off your wine purchase. Even better? We’ll donate 20% of each sale to @napagreen and their sustainable initiatives. 

We are proud to be Napa Green-certified, joining their mission for environmental stewardship. Stay tuned this week to learn more about our certification and about how Napa Green is pioneering a greener future in our valley. 
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#amicicellars #NapaGreen #Sustainability #WineLovers #napawine #makeyourdollarscount #deliciouswine #cabernet #winecollector
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Economic benefits & ROI of workshops: In a time of changing consumer trends, we want you think of us as extended members of your team. We are here to help share information of ways to not only increase your sustainability but also share with you how these things bring with them ROI, decrease in cost, consumer approval & many other economic benefits. 

Join us at our All Things Bottle Sustainability Workshop to hear from our panel of experts. Registration is $20 and the link can be found in our profile. Cheers!
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