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An ideal day of tasting for me is three winery visits that give different experiences and provide a range of insights into our beautiful valley, while championing environmental practices that I hold dear.
This list is in no particular order, and represents some of my favourite (yes, I’m Australian and we put a ‘u’ in favourite) people in our beloved valley. This list is people focused for me. The ‘why’ behind each of these wineries and their teams is what I love about our Napa Green community. There are so many brilliant people in our industry who are able to remain buoyant and motivated in the face of a large and arduous task – making beautiful and soulful wines of time and place in the face of a warming climate – and they are the people I love to visit and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
It has to be said, while I’m on my soapbox, that people like Anna Brittain and her team at Napa Green (Megan, Ben, Sierra, Marisa and Meghan) work themselves to the bone to effect meaningful change here in the valley. Climate work is draining, and rewarding, and depleting, and life giving – and supporting Napa Green certified members supports the work of these incredibly hard working people, whose life work is to fight climate change through agriculture. So, with that said, visit wineries who inspire you. Who do good things in the world. Here are three that inspire me.
As I work for a second generation, family owned winery, I love to see fellow small, family owned wineries shine. Founded by Launny and Weezie Steffens, the winery is now led by their son Wes Steffens. The vision and love that Wes has for their property, their wines, their team and for Napa Valley absolutely shine through everything about Vineyard 7&8. I had the pleasure of getting to know Wes better through the Napa Vintners Leadership Program and when I think of Wes and Vineyard 7&8 I think of integrity, intention, authenticity and joy. These are the kind of people I love to support.
Don’t forget that when you are visiting a winery and enjoying your time, and the views, and the beautiful wines (Vineyard 7&8 has all of these in spades), you are also supporting the people behind that experience. They have a couple of adorable sheep named Siete and Ocho (7 and 8). They are Napa Green Vineyard certified, caring for their team and focusing on regenerative farming practices that build soil health, resilience, and maximize quality. Tastings are by appointment only, and the drive up Spring Mountain is SO worth it for the spectacular views up there! Beautiful people, beautiful wines, good vibes all round.
Well, what to say about Young Inglewood… Firstly, full disclosure, Spottswoode works with Young Inglewood as a grower partner and we purchase Merlot and Malbec from the Youngs every year for our Lyndenhurst Napa Valley Cabernet. But, I swear on my Aussie citizenship, I would be saying everything I’m about to say without that tie to Spottswoode. Family owned, organically farmed, Napa Green Winery certified and some of the kindest people in the valley… Scott Young and his parents, Jacky and Jim, farm their vineyard and run their business with a deft touch and thoughtfulness that is reflected in the wines they produce year in and year out.
The winery is gorgeous and tucked away on the western benchlands of St Helena. It is a warm and comfortable experience that’s wholesome and joyful, and their wines range from classic and cerebral (Estate Cabernet Sauvignon) to playful, fresh and interesting (delicious Rose, and their Aligote.. So good. If you can get your hands on some, do it!). I can’t speak highly enough of the Young family, and it’s one of my must stops for visitors when in St. Helena. Don’t forget, it’s by appointment!
A bit of a switch up in vibes with this one – Opus One is, for those who may not know, one of the benchmark Napa Valley Cabernet brands worldwide. The notoriety and recognition the brand has accumulated in its time is no mean feat, and the tasting experience is as grand as the winery’s reputation. But again, this recommendation is as much about the people behind the curtain as it is about the wine and the experience. Michael Silacci, the winemaker, heads up a team of bad-ass, smart and talented women (and many great men, of course) who I have been lucky enough to become acquainted with over my time working with Napa Green, as well as International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA).
Getting to know Michael and the careful thinking behind every decision at Opus is nothing short of inspiring. The work they are doing to steward their property and be industry leaders is to be commended – and seeing the behind the scenes of the work they put in and their team dynamic is something for all to aspire to. So, as much as you may not see this behind the scenes when you visit (you will be too busy being awe-inspired by the beauty of the building, the vineyard, the interiors…oh, and the exceptional wines) just know that you are supporting a team who is doing good in the world.
It has to be said that before a day of tasting (or any day, to be fair), a non-negotiable for me is an oat cortado from Model Bakery in St Helena (feel free to line your stomach with something delicious from there too – Oprah loves their english muffins for a reason, but sleeper option is their avocado toast). Ideally, you have your own keep cup to avoid a to-go cup going to landfill…
Molly Sheppard | Global Sales and Environmental Manager, Spottswoode Estate and Board Member, Napa Green
Born and raised in Victoria, Australia, Molly Sheppard has been surrounded by wine for most of her life. She attended Curtin University in Western Australia, completing a degree in Agribusiness, Viticulture, and Enology. After working in wineries in Victoria, Margaret River, and the Yarra Valley, Molly made her first trip to Napa Valley as an intern for the 2017 vintage and fell in love with the beauty and dynamic nature of Napa Valley and its wines. She returned in 2018 and joined the Spottswoode winemaking team as a harvest intern, becoming part of the team full time in 2019. For the past few years, she has been working alongside winemaker Aron Weinkauf as the Assistant Winemaker, helping to oversee the farming of the historic Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and the making of the winery’s acclaimed wines.
In 2024, Molly made the transition to Global Sales and Environmental Manager, combining her passion for environmentalism, winemaking and communications. She holds a Certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy through Harvard Business School Online and manages Spottswoode’s B Corp certification and environmental initiatives, which includes measuring Spottswoode’s GHG emissions as part of their IWCA Gold membership. In addition to her work at Spottswoode, Molly sits on the executive committee of the Napa Green Board of Directors, and was a part of the Napa Valley Vintners’ Leadership Program in 2023/24.
😍 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! 🍷
🎙️: @mvino1
⚠️ Don’t 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 ➡️ link in bio or www.napagreen.org. See you there! 🍷
📣 Calling all wine lovers! We’re partnering with some amazing wineries, restaurants and resorts to celebrate Cheers to Climate Smart Wines Month and we’re giving away an incredible ‘Experience Napa Valley Day’ to one lucky winner! 🍷
The winner will receive:
✨A one-night stay at @solageauberge
✨Wine tastings at @seaveyvineyard and @rutherfordhillwinery
✨A gift certificate to @charlies_nv
How to Enter:
1️⃣ Make sure you’re following @napagreen & @visitnapavalley
2️⃣ Like this post
3️⃣ Tag your favorite wine lover in the comments.
🙌 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! 🥂
Sustainability is beautiful 🌼
Experience this wine tasting itenerary for yourself on your next trip Napa Valley! 🍷
#sustainabletravel #winetasting #winetrip #napavalley #napawine #climatesmart #winelovers #cheers
Fairy tale like settings? Delicious, ethically & sustainably produced wines? Yes please! 🌸
#visitnapavalley #napavalley #fairytale #winetasting #sustainablewine #cheers #winelovers #winetrip #magicmoments
🎞️: @mvino1
🎟️$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!
⭐️ Steal this itinerary!
Cheers to Climate Smart Wines Month is back this July and we couldn’t 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! 🌱
Pictured here are the STUNNING new Sky Lofts at @rutherfordhillwinery. We strongly recommend a visit, it’s 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
🍇 Do you want to learn more about what it means to be a Napa Green Certified Vineyard or Winery?
🍇 Do you have new team members who still aren’t sure what that Napa Green Certified sign hanging out front actually means?
🍇 Are you curious about this term that’s suddenly popping up everywhere – regenerative?
🍇 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
📢 Attn Wineries!! Today is last day to sign up for the Cheers to Climate Smart Wines this July!
Email winery@napagreen.org to sign up today!
Thank you all for making RISE Climate & Wine Symposium a success! We 70 powerful speakers and 650 guests across the six events, dozens of commitments to action, and a flood of positive, heartfelt feedback.
Let’s keep the momentum going!
📸: @briana_marie
Congratulations to Napa Green Certified @cliffamily for winning the RISE Leadership Award for Supply Chain & Waste Management Excellence!
Clif Family attended our first conference & committed to reducing their bottle weight and waste. They set upon an inspiring journey to change their packaging based on their outdoors loving and mountaineering inspired founders. They were able to..
• lighten the weight of a case of their wine by almost 8 lbs!
• reduce their carbon output by 42 metric tons!
• institute fully recyclable, bio based shippers that keep wine cool!
• eliminate all foils!
• eliminate all plastic & metal moving fully to renewable cork enclosures!
Their customers responded with absolute enthusiasm.
“This story is not just about wine packaging or supply chain decisions. It’s about how we do business. It’s leading with values. It’s about remembering that the best way to climb higher.. is to carry less.” - Sarah Richmond, Clif Family Winery.
Take action this Earth Month with Napa Green. Our team of experts is ready to assist you in achieving your climate action goals for both your vineyard and winery, no matter where you are in your sustainability journey.
🎥 @robot_productions
#earthday #earthdayeveryday #earthmonth #climateaction #sustainabilty #climatesmart #regenerativeag
🍴Wednesday April, 23rd is the day NOT to miss lunch at @cliffamily!!
Come enjoy delicious food while supporting Napa Green! See you there.
Uniquely, Napa Green isn’t just a roadmap of leading practices. Napa Green provides an expert, boots-on-the-ground consulting team that develops:
✅ Regenerative Carbon Farm Plans (to enhance soil health, biodiversity, resilience, and carbon storage)
✅ Irrigation Distribution Uniformity Assessments (to maximize water efficiency)
✅ Integrated Resource Assessments (to reduce energy, water, waste and emissions in production)
✅ Action Plans for continuing improvement (tailored to the opportunities and goals of each vineyard or winery)
Additionally, we support soil sampling and analysis, provide resource assistance, run practical training and education workshops throughout the year, and provide valuable, hands-on guidance in meeting your climate action goals.
✅ Napa Green members implement over 120 best practices in both the Vineyard and Winery. This Earth Month, learn about 21 of them with “21 Days, 21 Ways” counting down to Earth Day.
📷 @buddsocial
📍 @tressabores
#21days21ways #earthmonth #earthday #climateaction #regenerativevineyard #climatesmart #sustainablewine #regenerativeag #environmentalleadership #wineindustry #winebusiness
