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Sequoia Grove Winery
Many people assume that wineries are sustainable by the mere virtue of being an agricultural business. This is not the case. While winemaking is a low-emitting sector, the wine production process can require large amounts of water and electricity. Over six gallons of water are typically needed to produce one gallon of wine! In some winegrowing operations, widespread spraying of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides also contaminates groundwater and degrades the soil. Over time, these practices can have detrimental effects on the environment.
At Sequoia Grove, we are dedicated to protecting the delicate ecosystem we call home and reducing our environmental impact at every opportunity. From the towering Sequoia trees by the Tasting Room to each bug, lizard, and bird that lives among the vines, we recognize the value of nature and are investing in a sustainable future. If you’d like to make more sustainable wine purchasing decisions, check out our tips and how Sequoia Grove is committed to making a difference.
#1: Look for Accreditation
As much as it is up to a winery to communicate the good work they do, it is also up to a wine consumer to seek out and support green initiatives. When you’re in your favorite wine shop, look for accreditation seals and stickers on the bottles, case box, or website. By purchasing wines certified by NAPA GREEN WINERY AND LAND, or other accreditations such as CERTIFIED CALIFORNIA SUSTAINABLE VINEYARD AND WINERY (CCSW), SIP, or CERTIFIED GREEN (THE LODI RULES), you will encourage more producers to get with the program. As of now, 40% of all of the certified sustainable wineries in California are in Napa County – and that number keeps growing. We are proud to be among them.
#2: Quality > Quantity
Wine isn’t a cheap product to produce. With only one shot a year to get it right, the costs of farming, production, storage, transport, and marketing add up. You can’t pay $10 for a bottle of wine and expect every part of the value chain to benefit! The truth is that eco-friendly alternatives such as solar panels cost more when there is less demand for them. So if you want to buy sustainably-made wine, you’re going to have to be willing to pay a little extra. We’re not saying you need to buy the most expensive bottle on the shelf, but try to support wineries that are open with their information. It also helps if a winery has a traceable history of its wine production from vineyard to cellar to shop.
#3: Ask Questions
Remember: There are no stupid questions! When you visit a winery, don’t be afraid to ask your host about their environmental practices. When you’re at a wine store, ask the owner which bottles are sustainable or which winemakers focus on protecting the environment. Don’t see sustainable options at your local wine shop or favorite restaurant? Ask for them!
Sequoia Grove is working hard to become a Napa Valley leader in sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices. Here are some of the agricultural practices and initiatives we are committed to:
Napa Green Vineyard certification provides a pathway for growers to improve soil health, become carbon neutral to negative within six to nine years, and increase the resilience of vineyards, businesses, and our community. To achieve this certification, Sequoia Grove sacrificed plantable vineyard land to the “Rutherford Reach” project to restore the flow and natural habitat of the Napa River. Our viticultural team also uses deficit irrigation, cover crop, and mulching programs to control vine vigor naturally. This reduces fertilizer needs. We also mulch vine waste instead of burning it and immediately remove vines showing any sign of disease to limit exposure to neighboring vines. To manage pests, we hand weed and use clove oil instead of using harmful sprays to manage pests. To build up soil health, we plant specific cover crops to each of the soil types in our vineyard and practice either alternate-row tilling or no-till. This increases carbon sequestration and encourages soil regeneration.
Napa Green is one of only four sustainable wine-growing programs nationwide, offering comprehensive soil-to-bottle certification in the vineyards and winery. To qualify for this rigorous certification, the Sequoia Grove team monitors all water usage monthly for possible leaks and unusual patterns. We have planted drought-tolerant landscaping and installed drip irrigation to provide precise watering on flowers and grasses. We also redirect stormwater to a bioswale for natural reabsorption into the aquifer.
From a recycling perspective, Sequoia Grove uses recycled paper and cardboard materials made with 50% to 100% post-consumer waste. All wooden pallets, cardboard, natural cork, capsules, and accepted plastics are recycled, and we compost spent grape pomace and other landscape trimmings.
Sequoia Grove Winery is 100% powered by renewable energy through the Deep Green program with Marin Clean Energy. In terms of energy savings, Steven Bowden, Vice President of Consumer Sales & Marketing, states:
“We are committed to taking action to conserve resources and prevent pollution. That’s why we use energy management software that efficiently tracks cellar and tank heating and cooling. Our lights and outlets are computer-controlled to make use of ambient light, lights automatically dim in unused spaces, and passive electrical loads like unused chargers and power supplies turn off when not in use.”
1% for the Planet® was founded to prevent greenwashing, certify reputable giving, and provide accountability. The 1% for the Planet® certification is given to businesses that meet the commitment to donate 1% of annual sales to environmental causes. Through our membership in 1% For the Planet®, we contribute a portion of our sales annually to Save the Redwoods League to preserve habitat for new and old-growth redwood groves.
For Sequoia Grove, the Sequoia sempervirens coastal redwood trees are more than just our brand icon – it’s a symbol of persistence and fortitude. These magnificent trees represent a true sense of place along a narrow strip of the California coast and are currently under threat. Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has protected more than 200,000 acres of redwood forest and helped create 66 redwood parks and preserves.
Does buying sustainable wine make a difference?
In short: yes! The best way to create change is by voting with your time and money. That said, as a consumer, be aware that sustainability is not all or nothing. Wineries may be sustainable in some ways and not so much in other facets.
We are grateful for the strong foundation laid by our founders and our family ownership over the past four decades. To build on that strength, we have invested in comprehensive initiatives to protect the environment for future generations. But change takes time. With patience, not only will these improvements benefit the environment – they will continue to improve the quality of our world-class wines.
About Napa Green: The Napa Green 501c3 is a global leader in sustainable winegrowing, setting the highest bar for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry. Napa Green facilitates whole system soil to bottle certification for wineries and vineyards, and provides the expertise, boots-on-the-ground support, and resources to continually improve. Learn more at https://napagreen.org/participating-members/.
Anna Brittain
Napa Green
+1 805-636-3329
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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.
🎥 @robot_productions
#earthday #earthdayeveryday #earthmonth #climateaction #sustainabilty #climatesmart #regenerativeag
🍴Wednesday 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 isn’t just a roadmap of leading practices. Napa Green provides an expert, boots-on-the-ground consulting team that develops:
✅ Regenerative Carbon Farm Plans (to enhance soil health, biodiversity, resilience, and carbon storage)
✅ Irrigation Distribution Uniformity Assessments (to maximize water efficiency)
✅ Integrated Resource Assessments (to reduce energy, water, waste and emissions in production)
✅ 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.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📷 @buddsocial
📍 @tressabores
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness
Napa Green’s 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 vineyard’s goal is to become carbon neutral (or negative) and increase the resilience of vineyards, businesses, and our community.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📷 @soilrainandhope
📍 @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.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📷 @briana_marie
📍 @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 world’s 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.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📷 @abrittain
📍 @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 $$$.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📍 @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 it’s the equivalent to offsetting the emissions from driving over 1.5 million miles in a typical gas-powered car!
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📷 @love.dream.breathe
📍 @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.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” 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.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📍 @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 aren’t present to encourage these animals in the vineyard. These measures are part of a broader commitment to sustainable and regenerative farming practices.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📷 @soilrainandhope
📍 @tressaboreswinery
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness #biodiversity
While vineyards don’t directly require pollination, pollinators still play a vital role in the overall health of our ecosystems. Increased biodiversity leads to better soil health, water retention and can attract beneficial insects. Plus, pollinators are friend shaped! 🐝
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📷 @soilrainandhope
📍 @grgichhills
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness #biodiversity
Join us @earthdaynapa tomorrow, April 12 at the wine booth to try some sustainable wines!
All proceeds for to the Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County’s Field Trip Bus Grant Program and the Darcy Aston Scholarship.
#earthday #earthmonth #earthdayeveryday #sustainablewine #climatesmartwine
Carbon storage is inherently site-specific, tied to unique combinations of soil types, microclimates, historical farming practices, and more. Napa Green Certified Vineyards leverage soil sampling to validate the on-the-ground impacts of their regenerative farming methods.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📷 @growresiliently
📍 @sixsigmaranch
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness
Green teams offer a multitude of benefits, ranging from enhanced employee engagement and a culture of sustainability to cost savings and improved environmental performance.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📷 @kikimrobinson
📍 @charleskrugwinery
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness
Napa Green Vineyard members located along waterways maintain and enhance riparian areas for wildlife habitat, erosion control, creek/river health and carbon storage.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📷 @briana_marie
📍 @dominusestatewinery
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness
