Engage with the process and outcomes of a powerful mentorship between Soil and Shadow CEOย Nikki Silvestriย and Dominus Estateโsย Tod Mostero, facilitated by Napa Greenโs RISE program. Building on their vulnerable 2023 dialogue, these leaders share how principles of regenerative agriculture can inform and transform workplace culture and team dynamics. Learn how Mostero applies these insights at Dominus Estate to cultivate an environment where every team member โ from vineyard to cellar to management โ feels empowered to contribute. Silvestri brings her innovative โsocial fertilityโ framework to demonstrate how natural systems can inform more inclusive, resilient organizational structures.
Action Opportunities:
Nikki Silvestri | Founder and CEO of Soil and Shadow
Nikki Silvestri is, first and foremost, a mother of two, wife, and sci-fi nerd. Nikki is also a serial non-profit executive director and entrepreneur (currently the CEO and founder ofย Soil and Shadow), a board member of Greenpeace USA, and an international keynote speaker.
Nikkiโs unique approach to inclusion, leadership and organizational development takes cues from nature, building models of โsocial fertilityโ to weave them into a Joy and Impactโข framework. Her work also encourages a rigorous and shame-free approach to acknowledging our societal shadows and blind spots, especially when attempting to balance the triple bottom line (ecology, economy, and equity) in times of uncertainty, climate/health feedback loops, and increasing volatility.
Nikkiโs wide-ranging career has taken her from presentations at the White House and negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency to intimate workshops with local businesses and small retail organizing. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including ELLE Magazineโs Gold Award and OxFam Americaโs Act Local, Think Global Award, and she was named one of The Rootโs 100 Most Influential African Americans.
You can find out more atย www.nikkisilvestri.comย andย www.soilandshadow.com
Tod Mostero | Director of Viticulture & Winemaking at Dominus Estate
Director of Viticulture and Winemaking, the French connection runs strong through Mostero, who studied in Bordeaux and trained at Chรขteau Haut-Brion, Domaine de la Romanรฉe-Conti and รtablissements Jean-Pierre Moueix. He worked with Baron Philippe de Rothschild in the Languedoc and at Almaviva in Chile before returning to his native California to joinย Dominus Estateย in 2007.
โChristian Moueix has been my guide throughout my career and has been my greatest example of a perfect winemaker. He is clear, precise and is profoundly attached to the vineyard. He has guided me from the beginning.โ
Dive into how wineries can leverage their purchasing power to drive sustainability innovation. With packaging and distribution accounting for 40-60% of vineyard and winery emissions, learn how industry leaders are reshaping their supply chains. Spottswoodeโs Molly Sheppard shares their methodical approach to emissions reduction โ from annual GHG inventories, to lighter glass bottles and shipping materials, and optimized transportation. Discover B Cellarsโ success with Green Cell Foam packaging, including their customer communication strategy and positive market response, and how their partnership with H&A Barrel Management ensures oak barrels have 7+ lifecycles. Plus, explore UPM Raflatacโs direct label backing recycling program and vision for the future of sustainable packaging.ย
Action Opportunities:
Sarah Unger | Co-Founder, CULTIQUE
Sarah Unger is the Founder and COO of CULTIQUE, a cultural insights and strategy partnership founded in 2020 with Linda Ong, the companyโs CEO. The female-led firm helps media, entertainment, tech and consumer businesses navigate fast-moving times with clarity and confidence, leveraging the changes in external culture as a competitive advantage and creating bespoke strategies to claim and own impact in the larger conversation.
An award-winning cultural expert, Unger and her team of analysts provide intel and POVs to businesses such as AMEX, GBT, AARP, Airbnb, YouTube, Apple, WarnerMedia, Disney/ABC, and NBCU to navigate fast-changing times, recalibrate for new audiences, minimize risk, and cultivate growth in an uncertain world. Unger has been a frequent commentator in media such as The New York Times, Fortune, The Atlantic, Forbes, and The Daily Beast. Previously, Sarah was SVP, Cultural Insights & Strategy at CIVIC Entertainment Group, now an investor in CULTIQUE. Unger also led brand strategy as Vice President of Marketing Strategy, Trends & Insights at Paramount (formerly Viacom) across its portfolio of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Network, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Nickelodeon, and more. She was named one of Forbesโ 30 Under 30 in 2015 during her tenure at Ketchum as Vice President, Insights & Strategic Planning where she launched the Millennial and Gen Z division.
Michael Silacci | Winemaker Opus One
Winemaker Michael Silacciย has been at the helm ofย Opus One Wineryย for more than 20 years. Heโs worked globally and acted locally, including serving as President of theย Napa Valley Grapegrowers.ย Silacci is a tireless advocate for climate health and sustainability, including ensuring Opus One became the first estate certified under the new Napa Green Vineyard program, and recently becoming a member applicant to International Wineries for Climate Action.ย
Will Drayton | Director of Technical Viticulture and Research Winemaking at Treasury Wine Estates (TWE)
Will Drayton is the Director of Technical Viticulture, Sustainability and Research atย Treasury Wine Estatesย (TWE), one of the worldโs largest wine companies. Will has been with TWE since 2008, beginning in viticulture at Etude Winery and has held many positions within the viticulture and winemaking groups.
In his current role, Will guides TWEโs US sustainability efforts in addition to technical and scientific aspects of winegrowing in California. He serves on the committee that guides the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, Chair of the PD-GWSS board for the CDFA and board member of the Los Carneros Water District.
Will holds a Masterโs degree from UC Davis in Horticulture and Agronomy and undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge. Will resides with his young family in Sebastopol, CA.
Congratulations to Boeschen Vineyards for the award for leadership in Social Justice, Diversity & Inclusion for Boeschen Vineyards’ commitment to worker disaster insurance and hazard pay.ย
Join wine cultural innovator and changemaker Jermaine Stoneย for a dynamic exploration of how hip-hop culture can open new doors to wine appreciation and industry inclusion. From his early days as a Bronx rapper to managing $60 million in fine wine logistics at Zachys, co-founding Wallyโs Auctions, and launching Cru Luv Selections, Stone brings a fresh perspective to wine education and engagement. Through his new book โWine Barz Vol. 1: For the Love,โ he demonstrates how blending musical storytelling with wine knowledge creates authentic connections across cultures. Discover how his innovative approach makes wine more accessible to new audiences while honoring its rich traditions.
Action Opportunities:
Jermaine Stone | CEO of Cru Luv Wines & Author of “Wine Barz Vol. 1”
Twenty years ago, Jermaine Stone went from rapping to packing boxes in the shipping department at Zachyโs to becoming the first black commercial wine auctioneer. He has since been heralded as one of Wine Enthusiastโs 40 under 40. The Bronx nativeโs rise in the wine industry has been driven by one key mission: to challenge the narrative about and for black men in America. In founding Cru Luv Selections, an innovative creative agency based in NYC, Stone has found a space that can use marketing, brand partnerships, and content creation to connect wine and hip-hop cultures and bring wine to an audience that has traditionally been ignored. In 2023, Stone was featured in the New York Times, on Sway in the Morning, and in Us Weekly. He also became the star of the Tastemade original streaming series Street Somm, which has been nominated for both a James Beard Award and an Emmy Award.
Additionally, he was a guest lecturer at Cornell University for the second year in a row and hosted the first-ever Wine & Hip Hop event at the Clos de Vougeot, arguably the most historic site in one of, if not the most prestigious wine regions in the world, Burgundy, France. This year, Stone plans to elevate his efforts to bring wine and hip-hop culture together by being more hands-on with the direct integration of wine and hip-hop culture in a way that only he can.
Join moderatorย Nikki Silvestriย for an evidence-based discussion of how diversity strengthens business success and adaptability.ย Gabriela Fernandezย shares insights from multiple vantage points โ from The Duckhorn Portfolioโs trade and events marketing to pioneering media platforms that elevate diverse voices in wine.ย Javier Zamoraย shares how his immigrant experience and commitment to worker equity helped build JSM Organics into a thriving 200-acre operation.ย Dr. Rosalind Conerlyย brings both academic rigor as an Associate Dean & Director at Stanford University and practical insights from RDC Consulting to examine the benefits of engaging diverse communities and consumers. Together, these leaders illuminate the tangible ways diversity enhances innovation, market reach, and organizational resilience.
Action Opportunities:
Nikki Silvestri | Founder and CEO of Soil and Shadow
Nikki Silvestri is, first and foremost, a mother of two, wife, and sci-fi nerd. Nikki is also a serial non-profit executive director and entrepreneur (currently the CEO and founder ofย Soil and Shadow), a board member of Greenpeace USA, and an international keynote speaker.
Nikkiโs unique approach to inclusion, leadership and organizational development takes cues from nature, building models of โsocial fertilityโ to weave them into a Joy and Impactโข framework. Her work also encourages a rigorous and shame-free approach to acknowledging our societal shadows and blind spots, especially when attempting to balance the triple bottom line (ecology, economy, and equity) in times of uncertainty, climate/health feedback loops, and increasing volatility.
Nikkiโs wide-ranging career has taken her from presentations at the White House and negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency to intimate workshops with local businesses and small retail organizing. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including ELLE Magazineโs Gold Award and OxFam Americaโs Act Local, Think Global Award, and she was named one of The Rootโs 100 Most Influential African Americans.
You can find out more atย www.nikkisilvestri.comย andย www.soilandshadow.com
Gabriela Fernandez | Events Curator, Duckhorn Portfolio and Founder & Host, The Big Sip
Gabriela Fernandez is a visionary leader, storyteller, and innovator deeply committed to bridging the gap for underrepresented communities in both the wine industry and media. Recognized in Wine Enthusiastโs prestigious Future 40 list and as the first Latina to grace its cover, Gabrielaโs remarkable work spans across initiatives like The Big Sip Podcast, Sip & Sabor Festival, La Lucha Wines, The LatinX Wine Summit, Hispanics in Wine & Spirits, and The Duckhorn Portfolio. Known for her spirit of collaboration and strategic leadership, she has cultivated impactful business relationships that create lasting value for both consumers and stakeholders. As one of Latino Leader Magazineโs Top 100 Latinas of 2024, Gabrielaโs influence continues to grow. In 2021, she played a key role in launching Napaโs first all-Spanish radio station, becoming Wine Down Mediaโs first Latina producer and On-Air host for MegaMix radio. With a powerful blend of expertise in wine, media, and an unwavering dedication to inclusivity, Gabriela uses her platform as a first-generation Latina to amplify diverse voices and build authentic, meaningful connections. Her work inspires transformative, results-driven experiences that leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Javier Zamora | Owner of JSM Organics
Rosalind Conerly, Ed.D | Associate Dean & Director at Stanford University
Dr. Rosalind โRozโ Conerly, a Southern California native, is a scholar practitioner based in the San Francisco Bay Area with over 15 years of experience in roles focused on creating strategy to affirm and highlight the nuanced experiences of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) within an organization to contribute toward culture shift. She has held roles in organizations focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and has taught college courses focused on DEI and career exploration.ย She also had a brief stint in the hospitality industry while living in Las Vegas. She is the Associate Dean & Director of the Black Community Services Center within the Centers for Equity, Community and Leadership at Stanford University. Her expertise and scholarship are focused on creating and developing identity affirming spaces to assist with retention and belonging. She has co-authored several notable works including, โWho is Going to Mentor Us? Black Women Administrators and Our Leadership Journeysโ.
Dr. Roz is the founder of RDC Consulting, LLC., a boutique firm driven by her dedication to community building, education, and passion for wine.ย Her consultancy specializes in strategic planning and fostering DEI across a range of industries, including wine and academia. A freelance wine writer and vibe creator, Dr. Roz enjoys crafting intimate wine tasting experiences for her clients while championing the stories of underrepresented winemakers and brands.
The CIA Wine & Beverage Summit is an annual program designed to empower wine professionals with the tools, insights, and connections needed to thrive in the dynamic world of wine. The summit provides a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application through out-of-the-box programming, including immersive tastings and insightful discussions. This annual conference empowers wine professionals with the essential skills and knowledge needed to bolster their creativity, enhance their business acumen, and become industry leaders and tastemakers. Learn more about the programย here.
Co-Fermentedย is an organization dedicated to creating awareness and facilitating representation for the LGBTQIA+ community within the wine industry.
As a community that has experienced historical barriers of acceptance, identity, and representation, Co-Fermented seeks to create inclusive and safe spaces, as well as challenge the status quo that limits our self-being and expression through the use of educational tools, representation, and community building. Co-Fermented is committed to using wine as a conduit for narratives within gender and sexual diversity while elevating LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals and embrace the queer experience.
The Glancy Wine Education Foundation was established in 2020 to assist wine and hospitality professionals in furthering their career goals, even as many lost their jobs during the Pandemic.
As of 2025 we now offer scholarships to students nationally via relationships with three of Americaโs top wine-education programs.
We are dedicated to assisting underserved communities across the country with scholarships to further their professional wine education with the goal of raising their earning power and increasing diversity in the wine industry.
Hispanics in Wineโขย is a nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying Hispanic/Latinx roots in the beverage and hospitality industries. Rooted in community and representation, its mission is to provide educational and career-advancementopportunities to the ever-growing Hispanic and LatinX community of beverage professionals in the United States and worldwide. From a comprehensive directory of wine professionals and strategic partnerships to an industry LatinX wine summit, scholarship opportunities, and more, Hispanics in Wine aims to connect, amplify, and support the ever-growing Hispanic and Latinx community, including wine entrepreneurs, producers, sommeliers, retailers, restaurants, vineyard stewards, and consumers.
The mission of theย NV Farmworker Foundationย is to support and promote Napa Valleyโs vineyard workers through education and professional development.
The Farmworker Education Committee has been active in the community, hosting the Spanish Brown Bag Series and Napa County Pruning Contest, sinceย 2001. The organization realized its full potential when founder, Arnulfo Solorio, presented his dream of creating a foundation to provide educational opportunities for farmworkers year-round. With overwhelming support, his vision became a reality, and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation was established in 2011, the first grower-supported organization of its kind in the United States. Today, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation provides a wide range of annual programs that focus on developing skills in the areas of adult literacy, vineyard operations & safety, leadership & management, mentorship, and family life. The farmworker community is critical to the success of the wine industry and the foundation is dedicated to creating a better future for all Napa County farmworkers and their families.
Arnulfo Solorio is a partner at Silverado Farming Company and recognized as NVG Grower of the Year in 2022. He continues to serve as the Vice President of the Farmworker Foundation Board and Chair of the Education Committee.
Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center is a trusted home and advocate for the Latinx community in Napa County, dedicated to empowering individuals and families through equitable access to social services, cultural wellness, education, and civic engagement. Serving nearly 4,000 people annually, Puertas Abiertas provides essential programs in case management, mental health support, financial literacy, digital inclusion, immigration services, and community support.
With a bilingual, bicultural team and strong community partnerships, Puertas Abiertas ensures that Latinx residentsโincluding immigrants, multi-generational families, farmworkers, hospitality workers, and essential contributors to Napaโs economyโhave the resources and support needed to thrive. Through impactful programs, providing both immediate relief and long-term empowerment, Puertas Abiertas remains a vital force in fostering a healthier, more resilient community.
The Tinfoil Recycling Project is an exciting endeavor. The idea centers on the concept of recycling tin capsules from wine bottles.ย TRCNBย supplies participating wineries with collection buckets to recycle the tin from the neck of each wine bottle. We collect the donations on a quarterly basis or earlier as needed and deliver to a local recycling business.
Click below to see our growing list of 40+ย participating wineries and restaurantsย and how you might get involved.
Thank you forย Helping Teachers Help Kids.
A vibrant and dynamic 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, passionately committed to reshaping the beverage industry. We are a collective of devoted professionals, united by a shared vision of creating an industry that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
The name โVeraisonโ is not just a term; itโs a metaphor symbolizing our mission. In viticulture, โveraisonโ marks the pivotal moment when grapes begin to ripen, changing color from their initial green hue to deep shades of purple or gold. It is a period of transformation, of maturation, and of potential realized. This is the change we aim to inspire within the beverage industry โ a transition from mere growth to true equity, from blossoming to ripening.
Women For WineSense was founded in the Napa Sonoma area in 1990 to counter the anti-alcohol narrative taking hold at that time. Since then, Women For WineSense has grown to nine active local chapters across the USA, as well as a national membership option for those not living near a local chapter.
Women For WineSense members are winery owners, wine enthusiasts, wine makers, wine marketers, sommeliers, wine distributors, wholesalers and importers, credentialed consumers, people who just love wineโฆand more.
We feature events and programs for all interested in learning and fostering relationships at various levels with the promotion of the mindful enjoyment of wine at our core.
Napa Greenย 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 a first of its kind, six-event Climate & Wine Symposium (Napa THRIVES now RISE) with over 65 speakers and 600 total guests.
Photography assets are provided for media use. Please tag @RISEGreenWine @NapaGreen and give photo credit to @BrianaMarieWeddings
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
โ ๏ธ Donโt sleep on this one! Get your $15 tickets to taste INCREDIBLE wines from @spottswoodewinery, @dominusestatewinery, @chimneyrockwinery and many more at @klwines in San Francisco on July 23rd & 24th!
You know where to go โก๏ธ link in bio or www.napagreen.org. See you there! ๐ท
๐ฃ Calling all wine lovers! Weโre partnering with some amazing wineries, restaurants and resorts to celebrate Cheers to Climate Smart Wines Month and weโre giving away an incredible โExperience Napa Valley Dayโ to one lucky winner! ๐ท
The winner will receive:
โจA one-night stay at @solageauberge
โจWine tastings at @seaveyvineyard and @rutherfordhillwinery
โจA gift certificate to @charlies_nv
How to Enter:
1๏ธโฃ Make sure youโre following @napagreen & @visitnapavalley
2๏ธโฃ Like this post
3๏ธโฃ Tag your favorite wine lover in the comments.
๐ Bonus Entry: Share this post to your stories and tag us!
Giveaway ends Friday, July 18th. Winner will be announced here and contacted via DM by Monday, July 21st.
Legal Terms:
Must be 21+ and a legal resident of the U.S. to enter. Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram. No purchase necessary to enter. Winner will be selected at random and must respond within 48 hours to claim the prize. Travel and additional expenses NOT included.
Good Luck! ๐ฅ
Sustainability is beautiful ๐ผ
Experience this wine tasting itenerary for yourself on your next trip Napa Valley! ๐ท
#sustainabletravel #winetasting #winetrip #napavalley #napawine #climatesmart #winelovers #cheers
Fairy tale like settings? Delicious, ethically & sustainably produced wines? Yes please! ๐ธ
#visitnapavalley #napavalley #fairytale #winetasting #sustainablewine #cheers #winelovers #winetrip #magicmoments
๐๏ธ: @mvino1
๐๏ธ$15 wine tasting with the winemakers!? Join us at @klwines in San Francisco July 23rd & 24th tasting @spottswoodewinery, @dominusestatewinery, @chimneyrockwinery, @etudewines and many more from 4:00-6:00pm.
Pick up your tickets asap at the link in our bio!
โญ๏ธ Steal this itinerary!
Cheers to Climate Smart Wines Month is back this July and we couldnโt be more excited!
We have built some truly fabulous and sustainable experiences which you can find on www.napagreen.org and this year we have included hotels as well!
Tag us in your posts when you visit our amazing Napa Green Certified wineries so we can share your Green adventures!
Team Green is thoroughly enjoying visiting a few of our Napa Green Certified wineries today! ๐ฑ
Pictured here are the STUNNING new Sky Lofts at @rutherfordhillwinery. We strongly recommend a visit, itโs spectacular!
Wondering what this sign hung outside of the winery that you work at means? Want to be able to talk more about what it means to be @napagreen certified??
Join the Napa Green Ambassador training at Clos du Val on Wednesday, June 25 from 9-11 am to learn the answers and more.
Tickets are free but space is limited so reserve your spot from the Workshops & Events link in our bio.
#climateaction #napagreen #napagreencertified #climatesmartwinery #regenerativeag #regenerativefarming
๐ Do you want to learn more about what it means to be a Napa Green Certified Vineyard or Winery?
๐ Do you have new team members who still arenโt sure what that Napa Green Certified sign hanging out front actually means?
๐ Are you curious about this term thatโs suddenly popping up everywhere โ regenerative?
๐ Want to know what exactly does it mean to be climate smart?
Join us Wednesday, June 25, 2025 @closduval to learn how to talk about being @napapagreen certified.
Use the event link in our bio to register.
#climateaction #wineindustry #wineindustryleadership #climatesmart #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery #regenerativevineyard #regenerativeag