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Napa Green | Champion Story
A Managed Retreat
The California Land Stewardship Institute (CLSI) is working with landowners on a restoration plan for a 5.3 mile stretch of the upper Napa River just downstream from Calistoga. This stretch of the river is highly entrenched, with vertical 20-25 ft. banks, actively eroding and threatening collapse. The same reach is also host to an invasion of non-native plants, providing habitat to sharpshooters that carry Pierceโs Disease (PD). CLSI is raising funds for the project which will take a different approach than downstream projects; a tactic called โmanaged retreat.โ
Rather than grading and engineering the riverfront, managed retreat outlines actions landowners undertake as banks are failing. Property owners manage the land until failure, with critical setbacks defined for retreat. This requires pulling back vineyards, roads and any other development in the defined area. Sprigged willow gets placed at the base of the bank while the mid and upper banks are revegetated with native, riparian trees and plants. Each retreat is generally a semi-circle, scallop-like shape, which minimizes the amount of land affected. Laurel Marcus, executive director of CLSI, describes it as using the power of the river to guide appropriate measures, thus adapting to the ways the river is naturally self-adjusting.
Similar to downstream projects, the first phase of the Upper Napa River Restoration will involve removal and management of invasive plants, including Tree of Heaven and Himalayan blackberry and management of other Pierceโs Disease host plants. CLSI provides ongoing support to landowners, including grant application assistance. Laurel points out that many landowners are certified through CLSIโs Fish Friendly Farming program, one of two third-party certifications the help vintners achieving Napa Green Land certification.
Forthcoming Wastewater Discharge Requirements from the Regional Water Quality Control Board are also expected to motivate voluntary investment in collaborative restoration. At least eight wineries are participating in the Upper Napa River Restoration project, including:
At least eight wineries are participating in the Upper Napa River Restoration project, including:
CLSI is also working with landowners along 14 miles of Carneros Creek, a tributary of the Napa River, to implement the managed retreat approach. According to CLSI, โEconomic studies show this approach requires significantly less financial outlay than engineered projects or use of a setback buffer (50-150 ft.).โ
At least 10 wineries are participating in the Carneros Creek restoration project:
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 โSustainable Services & Solutionsโ partners and sponsors.
Michael Silacci, @opus_one_winemaker, has hand-selected an extraordinary vertical of @opusonewinery magnums from his private collection, which are available through @christieswine to support the nonprofit @napagreen, a leader in sustainability and climate action in the wine industry.
โNapa Green plays a vital, fundamental role in grape growing within and beyond the vineyard boundaries in Napa Valley,โ said Michael Silacci. โThe team, comprised of experts in all essential elements of farming and stewardship, provides education, guidance, and holds us accountable. Year after year they continue to evolve and challenge us to be better citizens. I want to do all I can to help Napa Green rise. Napa Green not only strengthens our community but also inspires a deeper sense of purpose โ within ourselves, and in how we care for the land we love so dearly.โ
#winetasting #winelover #winecollector #winecollection #finewine #fineandrarewines
Steal this itinerary! ๐ท
Join Sommelier and Vintner, Meghan Vergara as she visits three @napagreen certified wineries, @chimneyrockwinery, @bcellars and @boeschenvineyards in this captivating Terroir of Place and People Itinerary.
โSustainability is a beautiful way of life and business. These whole systems, regenerative practices are as essential and unique as the terroir we pride ourselves on here in Napa Valleyโฆ itโs truly inspiring to travel to different wineries and taste the fruits of their labor, to see all the hard work and distinct passion in what these wineries & vineyards do.โ - @mvino1
#sustainablewine #wineindustry #winetasting #winecountry #winelover #ecotravel #foodandwine #visitnapa #visitnapavalley #sommelier
The @napagreen Winery program launched in 2008, prompting Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, who spoke at the launch event hosted by @napavintners, to observe, โIโve been at this for 30 years and this is the best, most well-thought-out program Iโve ever seen.โ
#sustainabilty #environmentalleadership #environmentalstewardship #climateaction #climatesmart
Announcing two unprecedented โFine and Rare Winesโ donations to @christieswine will benefit @napagreen, the regionโs leading sustainability and climate action nonprofit.ย
This incredible auction includes:
๐ A remarkable 40-Bottle Vertical of @spottswoodewinery Cabernet Sauvignon donated by the @spottswoode_ceo family plus an invitation to attend Spottswoodeโs Annual Vertical Tasting
๐ A unique 19-Magnum Vertical of @opusonewinery Vintages 2001-2019 donated and signed by @opus_one_winemaker plus an Opus One Harvest Experience for four
The auction opens September 4 and runs through September 18.
We are so grateful to these two champion members for this incredibly generous donation.
#winetasting #winetastingexperience #winecollection #winecollector #napavalleywine #rarewine #finewines #nonprofit
This harvest, weโre celebrating 21 years of @napagreen, and the community leaders who have pioneered sustainability and climate action with us from the beginning.ย
The @napavintners (NVV) launched the Napa Green Winery program in 2008, and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard joined as a keynote speaker, saying, โIโve been at this for 30 years and this is the best, most well-thought-out program Iโve ever seen.โโ
Letโs raise a glass to the founding members certified asย โClimateย โSmart Napa Green Wineries, continuing to lead the industry.
#wineindustry #winebusiness #environmentalstewardship #climateaction #sustainablewine #winetasting
The regional Napa Valley delegation for the Great Wine Capitals is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Best of Wine Tourism Regional Awards.
Donโt forget to submit your @napagreen certified winery for the Best of Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices!
Submission Deadline: September 1, 2025
#sustainablewine #ecotourism #sustainablewinery #climatesmartwine
Did you know that Napa Green is 21 years old? 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 @napavintners (NVV) stewarded @napagreen 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.
Timeline: Napa Green Land was established in 2004. Napa Green Winery was established in 2008. The Land program ended in 2021, replaced by the new regenerative Napa Green Vineyard program.
#wineindustry #winebusiness #environmentalstewardship #climateaction #sustainablewine
What is Napa Green? Watch to find out! โฌ๏ธ
๐ฅ @robot_productions
#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture #regenerativeag #climatesmart #sustainablewine
Thatโs a wrap on Cheers to Climate Smart Wines, but you can continue to visit our amazing participating wineries to taste their delicious climate smart wines!
@spottswoodewinery
@mummsparkling
@phiferpavittwine
@domainecarneros
@etudewines
@chimneyrockwinery
@mvinowines
@pineridgewine
@chandonusa
@rutherfordhillwinery
@cliffamily
@tressabores
@beringervyds
@vsattui
@frankfamilyvineyards
@seaveyvineyard
Want more climate smart wines? Visit our website for a complete list of certified members and follow along for more itineraries.
#visitnapavalley #napavalleywines #climatesmartwines #sustainablewines #sustainablewinemaking #winetasting #ecotourism #climatesmart #wineindustry #sustainablewine
๐ท Our last itinerary for Cheers to Climate Smart Wines and itโs a good one! Thank you @frankfamilyvineyards, @aubergedusoleil & @seaveyvineyard!
Follow this itinerary for a stunning day in Napa!
Book your tastings at @napagreen certified @chimneyrockwinery @etudewines and @domainecarneros and stay at the luxurious @carnerosresort for a day that will delight all of your senses!
#visitnapa #winetasting #winetastings #winelover #sustainablewine #wineandfood #winecountry #winecountryliving
If you missed last nightโs amazing climate smart wine tasting @klwines you can join us tonight Thursday, July 24 for another great lineup of @napagreen certified wineries @dominusestatewinery @chimneyrockwinery @domainecarneros and @beringervyds
You wonโt want to miss this! Ticket link in bio.
#winetasting #winetastings #climatesmartwine #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery
๐Phifer Pavitt Wines in Calistoga!
A gorgeous family winery & vineyard that goes above and beyond in climate smart practices and quality of wine! ๐ท
Canโt make it to Napa? Experience climate smart wines @klwines in downtown San Fransisco.
Join us Wednesday, July 23, 2025 to taste wines from @napagreen certified members @spottswoodewinery @pineridgewine @etudewines and @frankfamilyvineyards
You wonโt want to miss this! Ticket link in bio.
#winetasting #winetastings #climatesmartwine #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery
Come join us this week at @klwines!! Tickets can be found at the link in our bio. Cheers! ๐ท
๐ This one is a gem! Book your tastings at Napa Green Certifed @mummsparkling & @spottswoodewinery and enjoy a stay at the incredible @solageauberge!
Sustainability & Luxury truly make a great pairing. Cheers to Climate Smart Wines! ๐ท
๐๏ธ: @mvino1
