This is not your typical itinerary – 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 Dominus, Lail, and ADAMVS.
Unless you take a wrong turn in Yountville, you’re unlikely to ever see the unique and stunning winery at Dominus Estate. The exterior of the winery is constructed from wire cages filled with local basalt rocks, which blends into the vineyard expanse and Mayacamas backdrop. Dominus is owned by Christian Moueix and pulling from its French roots the vineyards were designed from the start to be dry farmed, which is not common in the Napa Valley given the high heat of summer (getting hotter year-over-year). Dominus is farmed organically, and as a part of their Napa Green Vineyard certification they are transitioning to no-till, leaving soils undisturbed to maximize microbial and fungal networks, and keeping carbon stored underground. In addition, they have invested in riparian restoration along the creek that runs through the property and eventually merges into the Napa River. Inside the winery, the team keeps a close eye on resource efficiency, including the use of BlueMorph UV sanitation, that all but eliminates the need for water to sanitize tanks.
In 2021, Dominus Estate wine was named as Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year. Crafted by winemaker Tod Mostero, it is hard to find a vintner more passionate about both sustainability and climate leadership, and making wines that are a pure expression of place, or terroir. You can see his 2023 call to industry action at our RISE Climate & Wine Symposium: Dominus focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends. The most approachable of their wines is the Napanook, while Dominus is one of the highest echelon Napa Cabernets. They also have a brother label, Ulysses. Dominus is not open to the public, but their wines can be procured from select retailers.
Robin Lail is a grande dame of the Napa Valley wine industry. She pulls no punches, including about climate action, as she’s seen the increasing frequency and intensity of drought, high heat, wildfire, and intense, rapid rain events over the past decades. She is a U.S. ambassador for the Porto Protocol, a platform to empower the wine industry to take action to mitigate climate change. Lail is Napa Green Vineyard certified and practices include no-till and adding compost to the vineyard to help sequester carbon. And to increase diversity and organic matter in the soil. And speaking of Dominus, Lail co-founded the Estate with Moueix in 1982.
If you are a member, you may be able to arrange a special tasting of Lail wines, but few get to visit the Howell Mountain estate with expansive views over the vineyards and valley. Lail Vineyards makes two Sauvignon Blancs and four Cabernet Sauvignons. Lail’s wines have received multiple 100-point score, and also been named Wine of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.
The ADAMVS estate is tucked away up in Angwin. Their vineyards are both Biodynamic and Napa Green Vineyard certified, and their small winery is also Napa Green Winery certified. Practices include leaving the majority of the property wild and planting insectaries to encourage biodiversity, which is showcased by the vibrant bluebirds and buzzing bees. They have sheep, donkeys and chickens and vines that extend up the hillside amidst the forest.
ADAMVS offers private estate tours and tastings by advance appointment to mailing list members. If you are lucky enough to visit, you’ll see that their guest space exemplifies how sustainability can elevate luxury. They may offer a food and wine pairing with locally-sourced small bites that draw out the complexity in each wine pairing. Their terroir-driven wines are a reminder of why the Napa Valley first became so celebrated – elegant Cabernet Sauvignons that are true expressions of hillside vines grown in rich, healthy soils, free of heavy-handed alcohol or tannins.
Anna Brittain | Executive Director of Napa Green
Anna is a Napa Valley native. She has worked locally, nationally and internationally on environmental management and policy with organizations ranging from the environmental economics think tank Resources for the Future in Washington, DC to the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Hanoi, Vietnam. She has spent over 13 years facilitating and growing sustainability and climate action in the wine industry, with an expertise in communications and certification standards. Anna has served as a lead consultant with Ontario Craft Wineries, Sustainable Winegrowing British Columbia, Crimson Wine Group, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, and individual wineries including Benziger Family Winery.
Anna has helped lead the growth of the Napa Green program since 2015, and stepped into the position of Executive Director of the independent non-profit in fall 2019. In 2022 and 2023, she led the launch of the action-oriented RISE Climate & Wine Symposium (formerly THRIVES), with 70+ expert speakers, 40+ sustainability sponsors, and 750+ guests.
In 2023, Anna was named by the Wine Enthusiast as a Future 40 Tastemaker, and Wine Business Monthly as a Wine Industry Leader. In 2024, she was included in The Imbibe 75: “People and places that will shape the way we drink in 2024 and beyond.”
Anna has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science & Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara, with specializations in Water Resource Management and Economics & Policy. She has a Bachelor’s degree with Honors in Political Science and Environmental Studies from Williams College.
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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
‼️ Save this Itinerary‼️
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
Join us @beringervyds Hudson House on December 11th for wine and updates!
At the end of each year we like to bring together our team, members, and community to discuss some of the highlights from the past year, and what’s ahead in the new year.
➡️ Ticket link in bio.
#community #nonprofit #winetasting
What is regenerative viticulture and where do I even start?!?
Last week, @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture launched the #OneBlockChallenge in Napa, creating an accessible pathway for growers to start with just one block, while providing support and mentorship for regenerative practices.
To hear the workshop recording from @chuckschembre or to learn more about the One Block Challenge or Napa Green Vineyard Certification, head to the links in our bio.
#climateaction #regenerativeag