Menu
My goodness, what a year. I know that 2021 won’t make all of our challenges disappear, but I hope that by next summer we’ll be able to once again plan events, travel, and connect face to face. Zoom and I have become too closely acquainted.
Despite the pandemic and fires Napa Green has accomplished a lot this year. At the start of the year we became an independent nonprofit! In 2020, Napa Green certified 10 new Napa Green Wineries, with another 10 in process, and re-certified 20 of our member wineries. We launched the Napa Green Tasting Passport & Travel Package. We have been working incredibly hard to redesign our Napa Green Vineyard standards to become a cutting edge certification focused on climate action, regenerative farming, and social equity, justice and inclusion. We will launch these next level standards in February 2021!
As with so many of you, we have faced some significant challenges, including a 30 percent budget cut. I have been reticent to extend a call for support because I know how deeply challenging this year has been for our industry and community. As Napa Green tries to do ever more to advance environmental stewardship and climate action we are letting the community know that we do need support. We have created a Donations page, and we are also members of 1% for the Planet. While we know many cannot support us financially if you have anyone in your network you think may be interested in this opportunity please spread the word.
We are so grateful for the support and commitment of our members – THANK YOU for being a part of the Napa Green community. I also want to extend huge thanks to Program Assistant Megan Scott and engineer Bill Bennett for all of their hard work on behalf of Napa Green and our members. We could not do this work without our community sponsors and partners. In particular, I want to thank the Napa Valley Vintners for continuing to be a core proponent and supporter of Napa Green, along with Marin Clean Energy, Napa Recycling & Waste Services, Upper Valley Disposal & Recycling, Amorim Cork America, Global Package, and the Napa County Resource Conservation District.
Finally, I want to thank our Napa Green Board, a group of truly dedicated individuals who have put in extra time over this first year establishing the Napa Green nonprofit. I close this year in gratitude and appreciation. Have safe, peaceful and green holidays.
We are excited to share that Executive Director Anna Brittain was recognized by Napa Valley Life Magazine in their 2020 issue of the Most Intriguing people in Napa County. Anna was recognized as an Intriguing Community Environmentalist. Anna shares, “As someone who grew up in the Napa Valley it is really an honor to be named one of Napa County’s Most Intriguing people by Napa Valley Life Magazine. My work is my passion and it means so much to have that recognized.”
You can read the full digital issue and learn more about all 22 intriguing community members online.
As you know, being a Napa Green Certified Winery means committing to more than 100 resource efficiency and stewardship practices, including Green Purchasing & Supply Chain and Climate Action. We get regular questions about recommended alternatives to Styrofoam and where to purchase green office and cleaning products. We also get questions about whether cork is sustainable and how to recycle natural cork. And there has also been more and more recognition and discussion about how the size and weight of glass bottles contributes to a winery’s carbon footprint.
On Tuesday, January 12 we have organized a wonderful group of speakers and member testimonials who will cover all of these topics, and more, in our Green Packaging and Purchasing Webinar.
When: Tuesday, January 12 from 9:30-11 am, with plenty of time for Q&A
Where: Zoom Webinar
Read our latest Champion Story with stories from Tres Sabores, Chateau Montelena, Benziger and Jackson Family.
Cork is an endlessly regenerating resource. Because of the value of cork and the time between harvests cork farmers are careful stewards. What I didn’t know was the incredible biodiversity of cork forest ecosystems – one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots! And what made our jaws drop was just how much carbon they sequester. During the Green Packaging and Purchasing webinar, PJ Awe, Sales and Creative Director with Amorim Cork America, will cover the range of carbon sequestration benefits in different qualities of cork.
Learn more in this fabulous short film from Amorim Cork:
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.
