NAPA, Calif., April 27, 2023 – The RISE Climate & Wine Symposium was an immense success, with over 750 guests across the six events, including more than 60 leading speakers and 40 “Sustainable Services & Solutions” sponsors and partners. This is the second year of Napa Green’s Symposium. During each event Executive Director Anna Brittain appealed to the audience, “Please commit to at least one action, one result, that you will take from this event.” Commit they did, with dozens of industry leaders sharing planned actions. At the final “Climate Action & Regenerative Agriculture” event on April 20 the audience of over 150 guests all stood and said their commitments aloud.
Commitments included exploring the use of kegs in the tasting room at Sterling Vineyards and Brooks Wine (Willamette Valley). Jason Haas of Tablas Creek shared that shifting to kegs had a payback of just 18 months. Others committed to lighten glass weight, and track energy and water use, recognizing the energy cost to transport, heat and treat water. We can’t manage what we don’t measure. There were also commitments to achieve Napa Green Winery and Vineyard certification.
“Validation by Napa Green is not a one and done certification,” notes Michael Silacci, Winemaker at Opus One Winery. “The bar is constantly being raised to coax wineries and growers to reach greater heights. The standards are set for leaders in the industry.”
Marquee speaker Maryam Ahmed shared that last year’s symposium introduced her to Heather Paulsen Consulting, who donated services to assist Maryam+Company in achieving B Corp certification, which was announced this month.
Jim Gordon, Senior Editor of The Wine Enthusiast, attended the final event. “I was activated at RISE and realized I could be doing more. I am committing to writing more about climate action and spotlighting bottle weight and other opportunities.”
Social equity is often sidelined in sustainability conversations. Nikki Silvestri (Soil and Shadow) and Tod Mostero (Dominus Estate) had a mentorship conversation exploring what cultivating farm biodiversity can teach us about consistently cultivating diversity in the workplace. Silvestri observed, “Fertility is increasing the complexity of relationships in the system.” Mostero committed to create a “brain trust” – a defined space for diverse and safe feedback.
In concert with the RISE events, Napa Green partnered with champion members Spottswoode Estate, Chimney Rock Winery, and Boisset Collection to host a series of intimate wine benefit dinners. The dinners raised a $75,000 pool of matching funds to support industry sustainability and climate action projects for those with the greatest financial need. Examples include a compost:biochar application; planting a hedgerow; shifting to lightweight glass and “green” packaging.
“One of the greatest challenges we all face is inertia,” says Brittain. “These grants will facilitate change. Evidence shows once you take one action you’re more likely to take another.” The call for applications will open in summer/fall.
During her Marquee address Ahmed incited the audience: “You have to do it to evolve it and you can’t evolve without feedback and involving others. Invite as many people as possible into finding solutions, making change. And take action now, with urgency.”
RISE is about building the relationships and partnerships, and critically, providing the support, to act with urgency and set the industry bar for climate action leadership. If you missed any of the impact-oriented content, recordings of the six events will soon be publicly available on www.RISEGreen.org.
A huge thanks to event host Charles Krug Winery, all of our sponsors, volunteers, the Planning Committee, and the incredible Napa Green team.
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
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That’s a wrap on Cheers to Climate Smart Wines, but you can continue to visit our amazing participating wineries to taste their delicious climate smart wines!
@spottswoodewinery
@mummsparkling
@phiferpavittwine
@domainecarneros
@etudewines
@chimneyrockwinery
@mvinowines
@pineridgewine
@chandonusa
@rutherfordhillwinery
@cliffamily
@tressabores
@beringervyds
@vsattui
@frankfamilyvineyards
@seaveyvineyard
Want more climate smart wines? Visit our website for a complete list of certified members and follow along for more itineraries.
#visitnapavalley #napavalleywines #climatesmartwines #sustainablewines #sustainablewinemaking #winetasting #ecotourism #climatesmart #wineindustry #sustainablewine
🍷 Our last itinerary for Cheers to Climate Smart Wines and it’s a good one! Thank you @frankfamilyvineyards, @aubergedusoleil & @seaveyvineyard!
Follow this itinerary for a stunning day in Napa!
Book your tastings at @napagreen certified @chimneyrockwinery @etudewines and @domainecarneros and stay at the luxurious @carnerosresort for a day that will delight all of your senses!
#visitnapa #winetasting #winetastings #winelover #sustainablewine #wineandfood #winecountry #winecountryliving
If you missed last night’s amazing climate smart wine tasting @klwines you can join us tonight Thursday, July 24 for another great lineup of @napagreen certified wineries @dominusestatewinery @chimneyrockwinery @domainecarneros and @beringervyds
You won’t want to miss this! Ticket link in bio.
#winetasting #winetastings #climatesmartwine #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery
📍Phifer Pavitt Wines in Calistoga!
A gorgeous family winery & vineyard that goes above and beyond in climate smart practices and quality of wine! 🍷
Can’t make it to Napa? Experience climate smart wines @klwines in downtown San Fransisco.
Join us Wednesday, July 23, 2025 to taste wines from @napagreen certified members @spottswoodewinery @pineridgewine @etudewines and @frankfamilyvineyards
You won’t want to miss this! Ticket link in bio.
#winetasting #winetastings #climatesmartwine #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery
Come join us this week at @klwines!! Tickets can be found at the link in our bio. Cheers! 🍷
😍 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!