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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.
‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️
This is not your typical itinerary by @abrittain – wetting your palate for wine producers that are difficult, perhaps impossible, to visit. However, if you are a wine connoisseur seeking exceptional wines from sustainability and climate leaders you should absolutely put in the effort to secure wines from these @napagreen certified producers.
📍 @dominusestatewinery
📍 @lailvineyards
📍 @adamvs
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️Save this Itinerary ‼️
This itinerary is ideal for a girls’ trip or a day out with friends! Discover the sustainable side of Napa with @goodfriendsgoodfood itinerary, which celebrates diversity and offers wines tailored to a range of palates.
These @napagreen certified wineries provide beautiful settings to connect over fantastic wine, all while supporting positive change within the wine industry.
📍 @domainecarneros
📍 @rdwinery
📍 @trefethenfamily
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️ Save this itinerary‼️
This itinerary by Sommelier and Vintner, @danpetroski, showcases a rich variety of regional efforts from @napagreen certified wineries with a diversity of style, size, production and profiles, where each place focuses on varies in accordance with their distinct microclimate.
Be sure to check out the second 1/2 of this itinerary to complete your visit!
📍 @ashesxdiamonds
📍 @cliffledevineyards
📍 @hydewines
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
@closduval’s bottles from Verallia are 30% lighter than traditional bottles, which represents a 34% reduction in carbon emissions from glass production alone!
Lightweight glass saves natural resources, lowers transportation costs and emissions, and reduces the risk of employee injuries. Not only is it infinitely recyclable, it’s also beautiful!
Get a bottle (or several) of this @napagreen certified wine to feel and taste the commitment sustainability from soil to bottle.
#winetasting #wineindustry #climateaction #lightenup #lightweightglassbottles
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Get insider information and tips to make the most of your trip to some of @reyeswine.mw’s favorite Napa Green certified wineries with this exclusive in-the-know Itinerary.
📍 @rdwinery
📍 @sequoiagrove
📍 @schramsberg
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️Save this Itinerary‼️
This itinerary, by Master Sommelier, @andrearobinsonms, will take you to @napagreen Certified wineries, 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.
📍 @chandonusa
📍 @grgichhillsestate @grgichhills
📍 @troisnoixwine
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
Congratulations to @twentyrowswines for @napagreen Winery Certification!
Twenty Rows crafts small lots of their Napa Valley wines, at the @fiordisolewines certified sustainable facility. These wines are not only made with environmental impact in mind, they reflect honest varietal character and showcase the terroir where the grapes were grown.
#sustainablewine #sustainablewinery #napavalleywine
‼️ Save this Itinerary! ‼️
This itinerary by @abrittain will take you to @napagreen certified, tucked away spots, run by some powerhouse women, deeply dedicated to the stewardship of the Napa Valley.
📍 @tressabores
📍 @viadernapavalley
📍 @spottswoodewinery
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
Congratulations to @etudewines for achieving @napagreen winery recertification!
Etude Wine’s sustainability initiatives encompass everything from cover crops, solar powered facilities, recycled water use and water-wise landscaping, wetland and habitat restoration, wildlife corridors, stunning pollinator gardens and more. For a truly immersive sustainability experience with expressive wines with a holistic winemaking approach.
#climateaction #winetasting #wineindustry
Being with a community of people who are excited about biodiversity, healthy ecosystems, and climate resilience is good for the soil and the soul!
Whether you’re regenerative curious or ready to get regenerative certified, reach out to join this community! You’ll get access to support, resources, practical guidance, and incredible field days like this one @bedrockwines with @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture
#regenerativeviticulture #OneBlockChallenge #climateaction
There’s still time to register for the @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture #OneBlockChallenge informational sessions!
Register for either session at the link in our bio:
December 9th from 9:00-10:00 am
December 11th from 9:00-10:00 am
#soilhealth #regenerativeviticulture
@napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture partnered to bring the #OneBlockChallenge to Napa County winegrowers!
Tomorrow is the first virtual informational and onboarding session, so bring your questions, curiosity and excitement and hop on zoom to learn more.
#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture
Help us celebrate this historic milestone!!
100% of @napagreen’s Certified Vineyard members successfully phased out Roundup, setting a new standard for wine industry leadership.
Thank you to all of our members for your continued leadership and dedication to sustainability. Your choices impact meaningful change in our industry.
#climateaction #winebusiness #regenerativeag
What makes the #OneBlockChallenge so special? Hear from @regenerativeviticulture Co-Founder, @stephen_de_mirabeau!
The first informational session is next week so come with your questions. Learn more or get involved at the link in our bio.
#regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture climateaction
@napagreen is a non-profit focused on climate action in the wine industry!
This #GivingTuesday consider donating any amount to support regenerative farming practices, sustainable wine production, and strengthening our community.
#climateaction #nonprofit
Happy Thanksgiving! We are so grateful for our incredible members and their teams, the community, our board, and all of the people who support climate action by drinking @napagreen certified wines!
Cheers! 🍂 🍁 🍃
#climateaction #nonprofit #wineindustry
