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Napa Green | Champion Story
Biochar is a form of charcoal that is being tested as a soil amendment in several vineyards throughout Napa County as growers look to improve soil health, increase carbon capture and reduce nutrient inputs.
Among those exploring the use of biochar are Cakebread Cellars, Spring Mountain Vineyard and the Napa Resource Conservation District (RCD), which manages an experimental vineyard in Carneros. In Sonoma County, the Bedrock Wine Co.is adding the material to key vineyard properties. Elsewhere in California, larger-scale experiments are being conducted by Monterey Pacific vineyard management company and Bonterra Vineyards, with trials on both newly planted and existing vineyards.
On one block at a Bedrock property in Geyserville, a sizeable portion of the topsoil was scraped off and the subsoil contained low organic matter. In 2017, the cover crop didn’t properly establish leading the Bedrock team to explore how biochar might help rehabilitate the site. They worked with Pacific Biochar to apply a compost and biochar mix this past fall and the results have been dramatic. Vineyard manager Jake Neustadt recently reported that waist-high barley and a thick mat of sub-clover have taken root at the site. Jake acknowledged that he sees a profound impact of adding biochar on depleted soils.
The Napa RCD also worked with Pacific Biochar at their Huichica Creek vineyard to apply a blend prior to a new vineyard planting in 2016. RCD also applied a blend to an existing vineyard in fall 2017 establishing controls for comparison in both cases. Two years after planting, early results show that the area with biochar has a higher carbon concentration and more organic matter. The RCD has also quantified a higher aggregate stability – improving soil structure and resilience to erosion.
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.
There’s still time to register for the @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture #OneBlockChallenge informational sessions!
Register for either session at the link in our bio:
December 9th from 9:00-10:00 am
December 11th from 9:00-10:00 am
#soilhealth #regenerativeviticulture
@napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture partnered to bring the #OneBlockChallenge to Napa County winegrowers!
Tomorrow is the first virtual informational and onboarding session, so bring your questions, curiosity and excitement and hop on zoom to learn more.
#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture
Help us celebrate this historic milestone!!
100% of @napagreen’s Certified Vineyard members successfully phased out Roundup, setting a new standard for wine industry leadership.
Thank you to all of our members for your continued leadership and dedication to sustainability. Your choices impact meaningful change in our industry.
#climateaction #winebusiness #regenerativeag
What makes the #OneBlockChallenge so special? Hear from @regenerativeviticulture Co-Founder, @stephen_de_mirabeau!
The first informational session is next week so come with your questions. Learn more or get involved at the link in our bio.
#regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture climateaction
@napagreen is a non-profit focused on climate action in the wine industry!
This #GivingTuesday consider donating any amount to support regenerative farming practices, sustainable wine production, and strengthening our community.
#climateaction #nonprofit
Happy Thanksgiving! We are so grateful for our incredible members and their teams, the community, our board, and all of the people who support climate action by drinking @napagreen certified wines!
Cheers! 🍂 🍁 🍃
#climateaction #nonprofit #wineindustry
Join us @beringervyds Hudson House on December 11th for wine and updates!
At the end of each year we like to bring together our team, members, and community to discuss some of the highlights from the past year, and what’s ahead in the new year.
➡️ Ticket link in bio.
#community #nonprofit #winetasting
What is regenerative viticulture and where do I even start?!?
Last week, @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture launched the #OneBlockChallenge in Napa, creating an accessible pathway for growers to start with just one block, while providing support and mentorship for regenerative practices.
To hear the workshop recording from @chuckschembre or to learn more about the One Block Challenge or Napa Green Vineyard Certification, head to the links in our bio.
#climateaction #regenerativeag
@napagreen has a @candiddotorg GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency, which shows our nonprofit’s commitment to accountability. It also let donors see insights into our organization and operation to make informed donation decisions!
Our valuable climate action work cannot happen without the support of our community, members, donors and sponsors!
Want to donate or make an impact in another way? Head to the link in our bio or reach out to connect.
#climateaction #nonprofit #nonprofitorganization
Day 2 of our Growing Regenerative Viticulture event was amazing!
We learned about the onsite regenerative practices from @bedrockmorgan and @j_neustadt, heard the technical side of how these practices work from @chuckschembre, learned sampling techniques from @soilrainandhope, and saw the data and insights from @sectormentor and @grape_cowboy.
Thanks to all who attended and to @bedrockwines for hosting!
➡️ To learn more about regenerative vineyard practices or to enroll in either the One Block Challenge or Napa Green Vineyard certification, head to the links in our bio.
#regenerativeag #climateaction #vineyardmanagement #oneblockchallenge #napagreen #regenerativeviticulture #soilhealth #biodiversity #carbonfarming
Today @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture proudly launched the One Block Challenge in Napa, an initiative to encourage winegrowers to adopt regenerative viticulture practices on a manageable scale.
We heard from an incredible group of regenerative agriculture experts, practitioners, and leaders who shared valuable insights and success stories.
Thanks to our attendees, @opusonewinery for hosting, and our exceptional speakers: @chuckschembre @stephen_de_mirabeau @cainethompson @soilrainandhope @forrestellab and @hilarysgraves.
➡️ Visit the link in our bio to sign up for the One Block Challenge or learn more!
#regenerativeag #climateaction #vineyardmanagement #oneblockchallenge #napagreen #regenerativeviticulture #soilhealth #biodiversity #carbonfarming
Applications for the California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards 2026 awards are now open!
California’s wine industry is a global leader in sustainable practices due to the dedication of its vineyards and wineries in setting high standards for: 🍇 Environmental stewardship
🍇 Being a responsible employer and community member
🍇 Implementing innovative and sustainable business practices
We invite you to apply for the California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards to highlight your excellence!
Apply Now at greenmedal.org/apply.
#CAGreenMedal #SustainableWine #WineIndustry #Sustainability #SustainableWinegrowing
#CaliforniaGreenMedal #WineBusiness #Wine
What Do Consumers Ask Winemakers Most Often? Chimney Rock Has Some Answers
We love this @grapecollective conversation with @elizvianna, the Winemaker and GM @chimneyrockwinery!
#sustainablewine #winetasting #winebusiness #regenerativeag
We are thrilled to be nominated for the @napachamberofcommerce Community Benefit Organization of the Year!
🗳️ Cast your vote daily from now until November 21st. Link in bio!
#nonprofit #napavalley #chamberofcommerce
Congratulations to @phiferpavittwine on achieving both @napagreen Vineyard and Winery recertification!
Phifer Pavitt has mindfully cultivated a thriving ecosystem where every element - from insects and plants to earthly materials - serves a purpose and repurpose.
We invite you to book a tasting to explore their innovative Eco Barn, serene pollinator garden, and exemplary environmental stewardship practices. When you visit, you will discover wines that not only capture a sense of place but also embody a living testament to regenerative farming from soil to bottle.
#sustainablewine #climatesmart #napavalleywine #napavalley #winebusiness #sustainablewinery #wineindustry #sustainablebusiness #womenownedwinery #landstewardship #environmentalstewardship #regenerativeag
Congratulations to the 2025 @winebusinessmonthly Wine Industry Leaders!
We`re thrilled to see many of our members, partners, speakers, sponsors, and community leaders recognized for their innovative contributions and leadership in the wine industry!
Special thanks to @napavintners President and CEO, Linda Reiff, for championing environmental efforts in the Napa Valley wine industry by establishing the @napagreen program!
#winebusiness #wineindustry #environmentalstewardship #napavalleywine #napavalley
