As my granddad and I used to trudge through de-suckering his tomato patch, he would explain how the yellow flowers would soon become the fruit (vegetable?) that we’d gobble like apples. He called them “shirt-soakers” because that’s the result of this particular fresh tomato-eating technique! He’d also say things like, “We’re borrowing this land from you, and you’ll be borrowing it from your grandchildren.” That’s maybe why I’m so at home in the Napa Valley, where we can see and taste the commitment to our planet and our community that pays off now in great wine, natural beauty and soil health, while paying it forward.
I’d love for you to see this for yourself – or come back for a fresh look – and, along the way, taste the wine style diversity in our beautiful valley. So, let’s hit the wine trail!
One thing we know about the French is they have a nose for great wine terroirs. The Napa Valley was among them, with CHANDON starting here in 1973! They were also pioneers in putting out the welcome mat to visitors, becoming a model of wine country hospitality that our region is globally known and admired for. From the accessibly-priced signature tier of wines to the late disgorged and limited-edition bottlings, there is something for everyone. There’s also a vibe for everyone, from brunch-y to tasting menu-y to just casual noshing and tasting on the terrace. During your tour you may pass the Napa Green Certified, historic Trefethen estate, where Chandon wines were first produced while the winery was being built!
CHANDON is committed to regenerative farming practices, which aim to nurture the soil and maintain biodiversity on the estate. They show their investment in eco-friendly practices by using solar power, energy-efficient production methods, and water conservation techniques. CHANDON also supports initiatives that promote diversity within the wine industry and actively works toward inclusivity, ensuring their sustainability efforts are broad-reaching and impactful.
I love that the wines of entirely estate-grown fruit feature classic bottlings of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon, still offered at an affordable price point. Every region is indebted to the wineries that commit to superb quality, price-friendly wines because they serve as an “on-ramp” for tasters new to the regions and styles. Quite simply, you don’t have to bet the farm to try them! Speaking of the farm, Grgich is also a leading light in sustainability. It is one of the few wineries with Regenerative Organic Certification, which, along with their Napa Green Vineyard certification, goes far beyond vineyard inputs to encompass crucial future-forward commitments to social equity and community stewardship. It is also proudly rooted in the American tradition of immigrant opportunity. Co-founder and Paris Tasting winning winemaker (for Chardonnay) Mike Grgich came to America with a dream to make wine – and just a few dollars stowed in his shoe!
Special note: while I spoke to value, this is the place to budget for an older bottle commemorating a milestone year in your life or family. They are one of the few wineries with a library of wines. Quantities are tiny, so call ahead to see availability and pricing. It’s worth it – they age really well!
My itinerary intentionally jogs you, dear taster, between the bottom of Highway 29 and the top of the Silverado Trail, because this really showcases the stunning geography and natural beauty of our magical valley. (Watch for the many Napa Green signs to see whom else you might want to visit!) Jaime Araujo, the second generation of a renowned Napa Valley winemaking family, founded Trois Noix wines to further her commitment to using wine as a vehicle for meaningful social change benefiting both people and the planet.
The tasting experience takes place at Museion, a sweet little collective space shared by other like-minded producers, and is (was?) a best-kept secret in terms of value for the money – like the wines themselves. The purity of fruit and varietal expression is what I love about Jaime’s wines, because it makes them utterly quaffable on their own, and also really versatile with so many foods. Even the Cabernet, which has that Napa blackberry-cedar stamp, is something I pair with vegetarian dishes – a thick slice of a last-of-the-season tomato on crusty bread with basil pesto. Trust me, this is my job, and I would not steer you wrong!
Andrea Robinson, Master Sommelier | Wine Educator, Author, TV & Online Personality, Sommelier For Delta Air Lines
Andrea Robinson, one of the country’s leading wine educators, is one of only 25 women in the world to hold the title of Master Sommelier. The first woman designated as Best Sommelier in the United States, Andrea is also an honors graduate of the International Culinary Center and Sommelier for Delta Air Lines. She is the winner of three James Beard awards and was selected by Bon Appetit Magazine as Wine & Spirits Professional of The Year in 2004.
Andrea has written four top-selling wine and food books, including Everyday Dining with Wine, which won the prestigious IACP cookbook award. She has also created a ground-breaking wine stemware design called The ONE, which optimizes the tasting experience with a single, precision shape that is dishwasher safe, affordable, and crafted in elegant, lead-free crystal.
As host of her own online video wine course at andreawine.com, Andrea shares her knowledge with thousands of consumers and professionals each month. She has developed innovative beverage and hospitality training programs for Norwegian Cruise Line, Marriott, Starwood, Hilton Hotels, and Darden Corp. Andrea also speaks regularly to the travel trade, dozens of major corporations on the topics of sustainability and women’s leadership development, and top hospitality schools.
Andrea has hosted more than 100 episodes of her own ground-breaking television series’ for Scripps Networks, including the Food Network’s Quench, as well as Simply Wine and Pairings with Andrea on Fine Living network. She was featured on Working Mother magazine’s cover as a Working Mother of the Year, and she has been profiled in People, Glamour, Elle, NBC Nightly News, NBC’s Today show, CBS This Morning, The New York Times, Food & Wine magazine, and numerous others.
To learn more about Andrea, visit her website at www.andreawine.com.
😍 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