Menu
SASHA PAULSEN | THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Napa Green will require its members to phase out the use of Roundup by 2026.
Napa Green, a nonprofit organization that provides certification services for regenerative viticulture and sustainable winemaking, will require its members to phase out the use of the herbicide Roundup and other glyphosate-based products by Jan. 1, 2026.
Noting that “eliminating the use of glyphosate is not a silver bullet,” Napa Green will also work with its members to phase out the use of all synthetic herbicides by two years later.
The group has developed a weed management toolkit and is planning a series of training workshops. It also established a fund to which growers can apply for support during the transition.
According to an announcement Nov. 14 from Napa Green, it is “the first sustainable wine-growing certification program globally (of which there are about 20) to require the phaseout of glyphosate and synthetic herbicides.
“While a few wine regions have made specific glyphosate-free/organic commitments, these have not been made as part of a whole-systems approach to sustainability and climate action.”
Monsanto developed and patented the glyphosate molecule in the 1970s and marketed it as Roundup from 1973. Its U.S. patent expired in September 2000, and Bayer acquired Roundup in 2018.
“Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world,” according to an article on its toxic affects, published by the National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine. “It can persist in the environment for days or months, and its intensive and large-scale use can constitute a major environmental and health problem.”
“If not here, where? If not now, when?” Anna Brittain, executive director of Napa Green, said. “Our region and members have always been on the leading edge. Napa Green has rigorous standards for social justice and farmworker safety; herbicide phaseout is crucial to continued proactive leadership. We are no longer willing to defend the status quo on this issue.”
“There is a lack of public awareness that there is a suite of herbicides being used for agriculture, in part to try to address increasing weed resistance,” Brittain said. “In some cases, growers turn to two or three other herbicides to try to match the effectiveness of glyphosate, which can have equal or greater environmental and human health risks.”
Founded in 2004, Napa Green has certified 90 wineries and 25 vineyards. Among its members is Beth Novak, president of Spottswoode Estate in St. Helena. “We’ve been rallying our fellow winegrowers to eliminate herbicide and pesticide use,” Novak said. “It is well known that synthetic herbicides harm our soils and water, and our air. If we want to maintain our hard-earned notoriety for exceptional wines, then we must take this opportunity to act.”
Napa Green cites increased labor and equipment costs as “one of the main resistances to phasing out glyphosate,” but also notes that because “the costs of herbicides and fertilizers have risen dramatically, increased labor demands can be offset by reduced supply chain purchases.”
Ivo Jeramaz, vice president of vineyards and production at Grgich Hills Estate Winery in Rutherford, is an ardent proponent of regenerative organic farming who agrees that these practices can be cost-effective. According to an analysis by Brotemarkle Davis & Co. LLP accounting firm, the average annual per-acre cost of vineyard management in the Napa Valley is $14,800, with $3,800 in depreciation. At Grgich, they spend $11,000 per acre, with only $1,300 in depreciation due to the longer life of their vineyards.
“Regenerative practices are a proactive approach to farm health,” Jeramaz said. “If you’re healthy enough you don’t get sick — you’re able to fight off pests and disease. It’s a paradigm shift.”
“I see this as an important step for Napa Valley,” said Andy Erickson, board chairman of the Napa Valley Vintners and co-owner of Favia Erickson Winegrowers. “It makes perfect sense that our valley and community should be on the forefront of eliminating these herbicides and moving in a more sustainable direction. I hope this is just the beginning of an important movement.”
Napa Green will host a town hall to discuss the plans from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at St. Supéry Estate winery in Rutherford. These include a limited opportunity for variances under exceptional circumstances. More information is available at napagreen.org/toolkit.
To see a full list of members visit: napagreen.org/participating-members
About Napa Green: The Napa Green 501c3 is a global leader in sustainable winegrowing, setting the highest bar for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry. Napa Green facilitates whole system soil to bottle certification for wineries and vineyards, and provides the expertise, boots-on-the-ground support, and resources to continually improve. Learn more at https://napagreen.org/participating-members/.
Anna Brittain
Napa Green
+1 805-636-3329
email us here
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️
Check out this itinerary by @danpetroski of participating @napagreen wineries and vineyards that contribute to the long-term health of our land and ensure that Napa Valley remains a thriving and beautiful region for future generations.
📍 @larkmeadvineyards
📍 @silveroakcellars
📍 @vsattui
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 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
‼️ 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
