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Napa Green | Champion Story
Napa Green has a new milestone – the program is now 21 years old! This is an auspicious number and we want to celebrate and thank the community leaders who joined in from the beginning, and who have continued along the path of sustainability and climate action. The Napa Green Land program launched in 2004, and the complementary Napa Green Winery program launched in 2008, prompting Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, who spoke at the launch event, to observe, “I’ve been at this for 30 years and this is the best, most well-thought-out program I’ve ever seen.”
The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) stewarded Napa Green for its first fifteen years, and it is thanks to their vision and the leadership of these key founding members that Napa Green is still here to support growers and vintners in being the change in our community and industry.
Today we spotlight those leaders that joined the Napa Green Land program in the early years, from 2004-2008, committing to restore watershed health and prevent erosion. These same leaders then took the baton and transitioned to the new regenerative Napa Green Vineyard Certification, which launched in 2021. Here are just a few examples of how these members continue to build soil health, biodiversity, team engagement, vineyard resilience, and make the highest quality wines:
How it started…
In the early 2000s, the Napa River was declared by the EPA as impaired. In response, the NVV, in collaboration with more than 30 local environmental, community, and regulatory stakeholders, developed the Napa Green Land (NGL) program (est. 2004) with the goals to prevent erosion and improve the overall health of the Napa River watershed. Over time, these leading practices, facilitated by Fish Friendly Farming or the Napa RCD’s LandSmart program, were voluntarily implemented by forward thinking industry leaders.
In 2017, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board adopted vineyard Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR), making these land management and erosion control practices a regulatory requirement for vineyards >5 acres. Thanks to the broad adoption and success of these standards, the health of the Napa River watershed continues to improve and beavers and other wildlife have returned to the river and its tributaries.
How it’s going…
All things must grow and evolve. For over 16 years the original Napa Green Land program played a critical role in preventing erosion, improving the health of our watershed, and helping the Napa River begin to rebound. In 2020, what were long leading practices became a standard for being a good land manager. In 2021, Napa Green announced its new, next-level Napa Green Vineyard standards, focused on the critical issues of today and tomorrow – regenerative farming, climate action, and social stewardship. The new vineyard standards were designed by experts to provide a science-based climate action framework and regenerative roadmap custom-designed for viticulture. The standards include regenerative social practices, and plans for continuing improvement.
As part of the Napa Green Vineyard certification each member receives a customized Carbon Farm Plan that outlines opportunities to enhance soil health, increase biodiversity, create a more resilient agroecosystem, and drawdown carbon. Vineyards also receive an Irrigation Distribution Uniformity assessment, which helps members improve irrigation efficiency and performance. Members baseline and track soil health, water, energy, and fertilizer use, Scope 1 & 2 emissions, and carbon sequestration.
Shout out!
A huge thank you to the first cohort of Napa Green Land Certified (NGL) members, who paved the path for the leading practices and, without whom, the Napa Green Vineyard (NGV) program could not have evolved: Araujo Estate Wines, Beaulieu Vineyards, Beringer Vineyards, Boeschen Vineyards, Bouchaine Vineyards, Cain Vineyard and Winery, Cakebread Cellars, Charles Krug Winery, Clark-Claudon Vineyards, Clos Pegase Winery, Cuvaison Estate Wines, Duckhorn Wine Company, Eagle Eye Wines, Etude Wines, Frog’s Leap Winery, Hagafen Cellars, Hall Wines, Heitz Wine Cellars, Jericho Canyon Vineyard, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Merryvale, Napa Valley Reserve, Nord Vineyards, Opus One Winery, Parry Cellars, Quintessa, Robert Mondavi Winery, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Saintsbury, Schramsberg Estate Vineyards & Winery, Silverado Vineyards, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery, St. Supery Vineyards, Stags’ Leap Vineyard, Sterling Vineyards, Stony Hill Vineyard, Sutter Home Winery, Trefethen Vineyards, V. Sattui Vineyards, Volker Eisele Estate.
Napa Green is a global leader in sustainable winegrowing, setting the highest bar for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry. Napa Green facilitates systematic soil to bottle certification for wineries and vineyards, and provides the resources, tools and connections to continuously level up leadership. In 2021, Napa Green was the first sustainable winegrowing program in the world to redevelop Vineyard certification standards to focus on climate action, regenerative carbon farming, and social equity. In 2022, Napa Green and community partners launched the first of its kind, six-event RISE Climate & Wine Symposium (formerly THRIVES) with over 65 leading speakers and 40 “Sustainable Services & Solutions” partners and sponsors.
@antinorinapavalley family’s winemaking legacy spans over six centuries. To ensure that legacy continues, they have a deep commitment to sustainability and the care of the land for future generations.
Hear why Antinori is exploring the use of @hopenvironmental1965 soil compostable tie tape in the vineyard.
#regenerativevineyard #greenbusiness #sustainablewinery #greenpurchasing #landstewardship
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@mvino1 has spent her career in the wine business telling the unique stories of wineries and as a Sommelier and Vintner. Here she has created an itinerary that showcases a rich variety of regional efforts in the Stag’s Leap District, Oakville and northern St. Helena. Check it out to experience the whole systems, regenerative practices at each of these @napagreen certified wineries that are as essential and unique as the terroir we pride ourselves on here in Napa Valley.
📍 @chimneyrockwinery
📍 @bcellars
📍 @boeschenvineyards
Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
🍃 Save green and drink green!
If you’re visiting the Central Napa Valley from anywhere in California, January is a great time to check out these incredible #NapaNeighbor deals from @napagreen certified members running through the end of the month.
📍 @ballentinevineyards
📍 @barnettvineyards
📍 @cliffamily
📍 @freemarkabbey
📍 @grgichhillsestate
📍 @mummnapawinery
📍 @pejuwinery
📍 @rombauervineyards
📍 @rutherfordhillwinery
📍 @schweigervineyards
📍 @stsupery
📍 @tressabores @tressaboreswinery
📍 @vsattui
📍 @whitehalllane
📍 @zdwines
Check out @napavintners or reach out to each winery for more info, and stay tuned for more adventures heading North.
#winetasting #visitnapavalley #sustainablewine
We love working with @mcecleanenergy to not only help you save energy but also money!
Hear from Dominus Estate’s Tod Mostero to hear how much they saved from a lighting change then connect with the Napa Green or MCE team to learn more.
🎥 @robot_productions
#energyefficiency #climateaction #sustainablebusiness #greenbusiness #sustainablewine
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Check out these stunning @napagreen certified wineries in this itinerary from @evyncam that takes you from the bay to the forest to explore the wide range of ecosystems that Napa Valley has to explore.
📍 @bouchaine_vineyards
📍 @ruddestate
📍 @seaveyvineyard
Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
🍃 Save green and drink green!
If you’re visiting the Southern Napa Valley from anywhere in California, January is a great time to check out these incredible #NapaNeighbor deals from @napagreen certified members running through the end of the month.
📍 @antinorinapavalley
📍 @artesawinery
📍 @chimneyrockwinery
📍 @cliffledevineyards
📍 @hydewines
📍 @odetteestate
📍 @pineridgewine
📍 @priestranchwine
📍 @robertcraigwinery
📍 @robertmondavi
📍 @stagsleapwinecellars
📍 @truchard
Check out @napavintners or reach out to each winery for more info, and stay tuned for more adventures heading North.
#winetasting #visitnapavalley #sustainablewine
Find out what being @napagreen certified means to @joshwidaman and the team @pineridgewine, then go for a visit and taste the love in every bottle!
#sustainablewine #regenerativeviticulture #winetasting
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Check out this itinerary by @danpetroski of participating @napagreen wineries and vineyards that contribute to the long-term health of our land and ensure that Napa Valley remains a thriving and beautiful region for future generations.
📍 @larkmeadvineyards
📍 @silveroakcellars
📍 @vsattui
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
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This is not your typical itinerary by @abrittain – wetting your palate for wine producers that are difficult, perhaps impossible, to visit. However, if you are a wine connoisseur seeking exceptional wines from sustainability and climate leaders you should absolutely put in the effort to secure wines from these @napagreen certified producers.
📍 @dominusestatewinery
📍 @lailvineyards
📍 @adamvs
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️Save this Itinerary ‼️
This itinerary is ideal for a girls’ trip or a day out with friends! Discover the sustainable side of Napa with @goodfriendsgoodfood itinerary, which celebrates diversity and offers wines tailored to a range of palates.
These @napagreen certified wineries provide beautiful settings to connect over fantastic wine, all while supporting positive change within the wine industry.
📍 @domainecarneros
📍 @rdwinery
📍 @trefethenfamily
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️ Save this itinerary‼️
This itinerary by Sommelier and Vintner, @danpetroski, showcases a rich variety of regional efforts from @napagreen certified wineries with a diversity of style, size, production and profiles, where each place focuses on varies in accordance with their distinct microclimate.
Be sure to check out the second 1/2 of this itinerary to complete your visit!
📍 @ashesxdiamonds
📍 @cliffledevineyards
📍 @hydewines
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
@closduval’s bottles from Verallia are 30% lighter than traditional bottles, which represents a 34% reduction in carbon emissions from glass production alone!
Lightweight glass saves natural resources, lowers transportation costs and emissions, and reduces the risk of employee injuries. Not only is it infinitely recyclable, it’s also beautiful!
Get a bottle (or several) of this @napagreen certified wine to feel and taste the commitment sustainability from soil to bottle.
#winetasting #wineindustry #climateaction #lightenup #lightweightglassbottles
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Get insider information and tips to make the most of your trip to some of @reyeswine.mw’s favorite Napa Green certified wineries with this exclusive in-the-know Itinerary.
📍 @rdwinery
📍 @sequoiagrove
📍 @schramsberg
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️Save this Itinerary‼️
This itinerary, by Master Sommelier, @andrearobinsonms, will take you to @napagreen Certified wineries, where we can see and taste the commitment to our planet and our community that pays off now in great wine, natural beauty and soil health, while paying it forward.
📍 @chandonusa
📍 @grgichhillsestate @grgichhills
📍 @troisnoixwine
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
Congratulations to @twentyrowswines for @napagreen Winery Certification!
Twenty Rows crafts small lots of their Napa Valley wines, at the @fiordisolewines certified sustainable facility. These wines are not only made with environmental impact in mind, they reflect honest varietal character and showcase the terroir where the grapes were grown.
#sustainablewine #sustainablewinery #napavalleywine
‼️ Save this Itinerary! ‼️
This itinerary by @abrittain will take you to @napagreen certified, tucked away spots, run by some powerhouse women, deeply dedicated to the stewardship of the Napa Valley.
📍 @tressabores
📍 @viadernapavalley
📍 @spottswoodewinery
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
