Don’t Miss the Final Week of Napa THRIVES: Going All In on Social Equity, Climate Action and Regenerative Farming

June 7-23, Napa, CA – The first four events of the Napa THRIVES symposium were an incredible success, with nearly 400 guests joining to share in action- and impact-oriented conversations around water and energy efficiency, waste prevention & green purchasing, cultivating biodiversity and partnering with nature in and around the vineyard. During the course of the events many industry leaders committed to Take Action.

Chimney Rock Winery will explore installing EV chargers and lightening more of their glass bottles. Pam Starr of Crocker & Starr is transitioning to Napa Green Vineyard, getting a “Distribution Uniformity” Assessment to maximize irrigation efficiency, and divesting from lenders/investors that support fossil fuels. Tonnellerie Berger & Fils will seek out more sustainable packaging for international barrel shipments, and facilitate a community initiative for local recycling and reuse of barrel packaging.

Highlights included New York Times Wine Critic, Eric Asimov, warning against “Pro-task-ination” – emphasizing that we cannot allow our many small, day-to-day tasks to become an excuse not to take serious, industry-leading action to drawdown emissions and build resilience. “Viticulture is symbolic far beyond other agriculture because of its visibility and emotional connection to the public,” noted Asimov. “Wine has the power to educate and persuade – it’s crucial to use this storytelling power.”

World-renowned climate advocate, Bill McKibben, founder of Third Act and 350.org, drove home the scale of the climate crisis and the unique opportunity the wine industry has to be brave and engage with “HNWIs” – the High-Net-Worth Individuals who visit and enjoy our exceptional wines. We must share the call to action, including divesting from banks and investments that support fossil fuels. McKibben observed, “The planet is way outside of its comfort zone, and so we also have to be far outside of our comfort zone.”

On June 21, Napa THRIVES will focus on Social Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, with leaders and industry changemakers including Nikki Silvestri of Soil and Shadow, Philana Bouvier of Demeine Estates, Tonya Pitts, Sommelier and Wine & Food consultant, and Maryam Ahmed, co-founder of the Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum and founder of Maryam + Company.

“Saying social equity is just a part of sustainability is like saying rebar is just a part of a building,” says Martin Reyes, MW, co-founder of Napa THRIVES. “Taking care of our people is foundational to any grown-up discussion of sustainability and resilience. We require social sustainability to achieve rapid progress in our environmental and economic longevity.”

On June 23, Napa THRIVES will culminate in a fireworks event bringing it all home with Climate Action & Regenerative Agriculture. Climate scientist Dr. Drew Isaacs will lead a Marquee roundtable featuring Birgit Cameron of Patagonia Provisions, Jonathan Foley of Project Drawdown, and Kimberly Nicholas, sustainability scientist at Lund University and author of “Under the Sky We Make.” Kayalin Akens-Irby of Planet FWD will return and join a workshop on the process and benefits of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories. As Akens-Irby observed in her keynote on June 14, “The food and beverage industry as a whole makes up 30 to 40% of global emissions, which is a huge footprint. Wine itself is a much smaller percentage of that, but this industry also has an outsized opportunity to improve and to fight climate change. [We have to] orient our agricultural systems around fighting climate change as a core outcome of the products we grow.”

June 23rd’s Climate Action event will include bonus content, with two afternoon workshops – the first a discussion with the leaders of the Porto Protocol, an international industry climate action and education non-profit, and the second a deep dive into “The Future of Finance,” as requirements for Environmental Social Governance (ESG) action, reporting and transparency will soon be a requirement for ANY business, large or small, seeking a loan or investment.

Week Three Marquee Speakers: Nikki Silvestri, Founder and CEO, Soil and Shadow; Kimberly Nicholas, Sustainability Scientist, Lund University, and Author, Under the Sky We MakeJonathan Foley, Executive Director, Project DrawdownBirgit Cameron, Co-Founder and Head of Patagonia Provisions.

Week Three Industry Mentors:  Philana Bouvier, President, Demeine Estates (Growing Diversity & Social Impact); Jim Duane, Winemaker, Seavey Vineyard (Regenerative Carbon Farming).

Week Three Moderators: Dr. Liz Thach, MW, Wine Writer, Educator, and Consultant; Dr. Andrew Isaacs, UC Berkeley Climate Scientist; Peter Marks, MW, Napa Valley Wine Academy; Kelli White, Sommelier and author Napa Valley, Then & Now.

Napa THRIVES Co-Founders: Anna Brittain & Martin Reyes MW

Learn More and Get Your Tickets Now at https://napathrives.org/

Making the commitment to third party certification takes time and effort, but it is worth it to demonstrate our commitment to the community and to protect our watershed, our land and the air we breathe.​

Say hi to @marisataylorwines, our Winery & Climate Specialist. Marisa has supported sustainable farming and green practices from vineyard to cellar and across all winemaking operations and continues to leverage her expertise to help wineries become climate action champions. 

Thanks for all you do!
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Last week we had a great climate smart burn and alternatives demonstration @gloriaferrerwinery where attendees learned techniques for a conservation/low-smoke burn with demonstrations from @thecleanburncompany and @napa.char. 

Additionally, speakers from @naparcd and Treasury Wine Estates presented the results from a recent vineyard biochar application research project. 

Learn more on our website.
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Have you met Sierra, our Climate & Soil Specialist? Sierra works tirelessly to advance climate resiliency in the Napa Valley by collaborating with growers to realize their climate action aspirations. 

Say hi to @growresiliently next time you see her in the field. Thanks for all that you do, Sierra!
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On average 40-60% of a vineyard and winery’s carbon footprint is from packaging and distribution alone. Join us to explore climate smart, sustainable glass, closures, the future of reusable glass, alternative packaging. Hear case studies. Learn what is truly recyclable, and new opportunities to recycle film wrap and label backing. Since 2020, climate smart marketed CPG products have doubled in sales to $3.4 billion. Wine bottles and packaging can be leveraged to meet rising consumer demand for climate smart products.

Get tickets to this workshop @pineridgewine to hear from @napagreen @consciouscontainer @revinobottles @keystonecapsules @cork_supply @neotempowines @estal_packaging @uppervalleydisposal @naparecycling and more!
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You may have seen Megan, our Winery Program Manager, out and about sporting her @napagreen shirt and talking about green practices. Utilizing her background in hospitality, sustainability and engineering she is dedicated in guiding businesses toward a more sustainable future. 

Thanks for all you do @love.dream.breathe!
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Join us for All Things Bottle Sustainability on Friday, April 26th. Link in bio to register!
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Cheers to @abrittain! Anna has worked locally, nationally and internationally on environmental management, including leading @napagreen and @naparise to the forefront of the wine industry climate action movement. 

Keep an eye out for her with our unofficial mascot, Lily, sharing our best practices, facilitating action and growing resilience in our industry and community. 

Thank you for all you do!
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We’re so pleased to announce Verallia as a new Napa Green Sponsor and excited to see their work in creating lighter sparkling wine glass bottles with Napa Green Champion @domainecarneros! 

For more info on Verallia head to the link in our profile and for more info on becoming a Napa Green Sponsor email: social@napagreen.org 🥂
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We’ve had so much fun hosting and being out at events this March! It was great seeing you all at our Cutilvating Resilience Salon and Celebrate St. Helena event at @crockerstarr! 

We’re just getting warmed up because you know what next month is.. EARTH MONTH! 🌎🌱

Can’t wait to see more friendly faces celebrating our beautiful planet in April. Cheers! 🥂
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Join us for a not to be missed dinner experience. Only 20 guests in attendance will be looking out over the infinity pool at Neotempo’s organic vineyard, and the beautiful view of the Vaca Mountains beyond. Award-winning Chef Dave Cruz previously of Ad Hoc, will prepare a four-course, locally-sourced dinner paired with Cristal Louis Roederer Champagne and spectacular Neotempo wines. 

You will have the chance to share transformative conversations and form deep connections with industry leaders and changemakers. Special guest Karen MacNeil will share insights on “All Things Bottle Sustainability.” 

This will be, truly, unforgettable.

Claim your tax deductible tickets for April 26th asap and support local climate action. Information may be found at the link in our profile.
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Expedition Stags Leap! 🥾🍷

This is the way to our hearts! Plan your visit to Napa Green Certified winery @pineridgewine to taste the quality and learn all about climate smart practices in both the winery and vineyard! 

#stagsleap #napavalley #cabernet #regenerativeagriculture #winereels
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See and learn the technique for a conservation/low-smoke burn. Join us tomorrow for this no cost event at @gloriaferrerwinery! 

The Clean Burn Company and Napachar will run their BurnBoss air curtain burner and flame-capped kiln/ring-of-fire system for processing spent vines, fire fuel thinning, and other wood waste. All three of these techniques/technologies can be used to develop biochar. 

Michael Sippiora from Treasury Wine Estates will present the results of a recent vineyard biochar application research project.

Link in profile to register, see you tomorrow!
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In loving memory of the legendary Miljenko ‘Mike’ Grgich.
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Thank you to all who came out for our Weed Management event! For more info check out our online Weed Management Toolkit with FAQ’s, Case Studies, Resources and more. 

🌱🚜
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Cultivating Resilience in Napa Valley 🍷

A few tickets remain for the event THIS Thursday, March 14th at 3:00pm. Join Winemaker @matt_brain_, @cathycorison, @bedrockwines & @andrearobinsonms for a lively and interactive tasting of barrel samples and panel discussion. 

🎟️ Click the link in our profile to reserve your seat now.
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Join us THIS Thursday, March 14th for a panel on Cultivating Resilience with @cathycorison, @bedrockmorgan, @matt_brain_ & @andrearobinsonms. 

The event is held at @freemarkabbey and begins at 3:00pm. Please get your tickets ASAP at the link in our profile. See you there!
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