Q3 Newsletter 2020 – Napa Green

NAPA GREEN NEWS

NAPA GREEN NEWSLETTER |
July 21, 2020

Hello friends,

I started writing this note on July 16th and realized it was exactly four months since there was any “normalcy” in our world. I’ve just ordered my second silk & cotton mask (Etsy) because I read a study of different fabrics that found this was the most effective combination. And I figure if I’m going to be wearing these for another 8-10 months it is worth investing in comfort and style.

Despite how challenging this time has been and will continue to be, personally and professionally, we have been inspired by the positive and resilient energy of our Napa Green members, and others we’ve engaged with in the community. We began offering our Napa Green Ambassador trainings as webinars in May and had nearly 100 participants in the first three. We will be posting the recorded training segments on our Member Resources page in August for DIY trainings. We also launched our Napa Green Tasting Passport!

As you will see below, we have not experienced a drop off in certification interest – the opposite actually. More wineries enrolled in the program the first four months of this year than in previous years, and many who started last year grabbed the baton again. I think now more than ever many are realizing it is time to double down on sustainable business practices – caring more for nature and each other. We set up a system to do remote Resource Audits for re-certification, and scheduled (masked) onsite audits starting in June, which fortunately worked out with reopening.

On July 9, I helped lead a webinar for Women of the Vine & Spirits on “How California is Leading the Way on Sustainable Winegrowing.” I spoke with Susan Mitchell, the Facility Manager for Opus One, about their proactive steps working with the Resource Conservation District to develop Carbon Farm Plans, working with Pina Vineyard Management to do a demonstration of the Air Curtain Firebox Burner (significantly reducing burn emissions and creating biochar), and improving energy and water efficiency in the winery.

We are working with partners at Napa Climate NOW! to identify grant funding opportunities for a Climate Action Implementation Specialist to help our members implement Carbon Farming in 2021. If you have any ideas please let us know! There is a lot exciting work underway. In order to stay healthy and productive we will keep wearing our masks and socially distancing. So I am sending you all a virtual, masked hug!

Sincerely,

Anna Brittain, Executive Director, Napa Green

Napa Green is Seeking Sponsorships | New Member of 1% for the Planet

As with so many, Napa Green is facing significant budget strain moving into FY2021. We are grateful to the Napa Valley Vintners as our lead sponsor, and Marin Clean Energy (MCE) and Upper Valley Disposal & Recycling for signing on as recent sponsors. Even with financial resources stretched thin Napa Green is working to expand its operations with a standalone, next level Napa Green Land certification, which requires at least one new staff member, and exploring facilitating sustainability certification in new sectors, such as hotel & lodging.

We have three tiers of established sponsorships and associated benefits – “Bud Break Sponsors” at $3,000, “Veraison Sponsors” at $5,000, and “Harvest Sponsors” at $8,000. Larger sponsorships can be customized based on specific sustainability priorities and opportunities. If you have any ideas for sponsorships, or want to learn more about the Sponsorship Tiers, please reach out to Anna Brittain, Executive Director, at anna@napagreen.org.

In June, Napa Green was accepted as a Non-Profit Member of 1% for Planet. Business Members allocate 1% of profits to non-profits and NGOs working on environmental stewardship. A few Napa Green Wineries are 1% for the Planet Business Members – Sequoia Grove Winery and Spottswoode Winery. Napa Green is excited to be among the community non-profits that can now be supported through 1% for the Planet.

Celebrating 20 Wineries Newly Certified and Re-Certified in 2020

Despite COVID-19 Napa Green has been as busy as ever with new winery certifications and re-certifications. The core steps of Napa Green Winery certification and re-certification include completing/updating the certification standards checklist, receiving the “Integrated Resource Audit” (one-stop energy, water and waste assessment), developing the Action Plan for continuing improvement, and completing the third-party verification review. The only significant barrier of COVID-19 has been scheduling the final walkthrough with the independent third-party certifier. So the following wineries have either completed this final step or are in queue for this final review.

Newly Certified

Somerston Estate

Dominus Estate

BRAND Napa Valley

Twomey Cellars

Ashes & Diamonds Winery

Rombauer Vineyards

The Caves at Soda Canyon

Re-Certified

Judd’s Hill Winery
Newton Vineyard
CADE Winery
Cakebread Cellars
Viader Vineyards & Winery
Beringer Vineyards
Cuvaison Estate Wines
Alpha Omega Winery
Peju Winery
Markham Vineyards
Frank Family Vineyards
Turnbull Wine Cellars

We have another eight new wineries actively working on certification, and 12 wineries in the process of re-certification. Congratulations and thanks to all of the wineries committing and doubling down on Napa Green Winery resource efficiency, climate action and social equity. Click here to get your Napa Green Certified Sign.

Join 30+ Napa Wineries with Deep Green 100% Renewable Energy

MCE offers Deep Green 100% renewable energy service for Napa residents and businesses interested in expanding their commitment to climate action. We source Deep Green from 50% wind and 50% solar energy produced in California. Opting up to Deep Green service brings all facility electricity GHG emissions to zero as of your next utility bill. At just $0.01 more per kilowatt hour, it’s about 3-5% more on the electricity bill.

Deep Green provides benefits including two credits for Napa Green Winery certification and re-certification. It also counts toward LEED and California Green Business certification. Wineries interested in installing workplace EV charging stations qualify for an additional $500 incentive per EV charging port when they choose Deep Green, for a total rebate of $3,500 per port.

When energy users choose Deep Green they are also choosing to support local clean energy projects. Half of the Deep Green premium is invested in MCE’s Local Renewable Projects and Programs Development Fund that has supported projects like Richmond’s MCE Solar One, the Bay Area’s largest public-private solar partnership.

Napa Valley Vintners, Honig Vineyard & Winery, Hagafen Cellars, Clif Family Winery, as well as several Napa cities and the county of Napa have joined the Deep Green movement. Please visit mceCleanEnergy.org/opt-up to learn more and choose Deep Green. Or contact Chris Kubik at ckubik@mcecleanenergy.org, 415-464-6021 for more information and a quote. MCE provides default electricity service to Napa County customers.

We’ve Launched the Napa Green Tasting Passport

We made the push and launched the 2020 Napa Green Tasting Passport with 17 participating wineries. We have this fabulous, custom-designed Napa Green Tasting Passport map , as well as a campaign graphic . Each participating winery has a unique URL and code that they can use to sell passports directly to receive 20% of passport profits.

3% for the Community : 3% of passport profits will be reinvested in the community. The first recipient will be UpValley Family Centers. UpValley Family Centers has stood on the frontlines of the County’s COVID-19 response since Napa’s Shelter-at-Home order was issued in March, providing essential aid and other resources to low-income families impacted by the economic fallout of the crisis.

We pushed out a Press Release and the Passport is being promoted via Napa Green Facebook & Instagram ads, Visit Napa Valley, the participating wineries and partners like MCE. We have gotten a lot of interest and positive feedback. It is clear we need more stability in hospitality for the Passport to fully gain traction but we know this is going to be a meaningful program to engage visitors in sustainable winegrowing and help members leverage their sustainability certification. Napa Green Certified Winery members are welcome to join at any time – reach out to events@napagreen.org if interested. The Passport runs through December 31, 2020

Partner Resources

It is no exaggeration to say we couldn’t do what we do without our partners!

Marin Clean Energy (MCE) Opt Up to Deep Green: https://www.mcecleanenergy.org/opt-up/

Napa County Resource Conservation District: Get on the waiting list to receive your FREE Carbon Farm Plan. Email Miguel Garcia – miguel@naparcd.org.

Check out the North Coast Soil Hub and Sign Up for the quarterly e-newsletter.

Upper Valley Disposal & Recycling : Lexi Mangola is the new(ish) UVDS Recycling Specialist. Napa Green members that are UVDS customers should reach out to Lexi for support with staff training and waste/diversion audits. lexi@uvds.com
>> Business Recycling Services

In addition, the Upper Valley Waste Management Agency is now offering digital trainings, which can be tailored to meet your needs. Please reach out to Amanda Griffis at amanda.griffis@countyofnapa.org for more information.

Napa County Recycling & Waste Services: NCRWS is offering socially distanced site visits/trainings, and can also arrange digital trainings for NCRWS customers. Reach out to Naama Brenner-Abramovitch, naama@naparecycling.com.

Recycle More: NCRWS offers a FREE pickup service for bulky metal items and electronic waste that are not accepted in blue carts or white recycling bins. Winery customers can also dispose of their spent household batteries with their load of Recycle More items. Details on how to schedule a Recycle More service are at https://naparecycling.com/recycle-more/.

Napa Climate NOW! : Advocacy Training, July 25

Visit Napa Valley Coronavirus Toolkit: https://www.visitnapavalley.com/industry/toolkits/coronavirus-toolkit/

Napa Green Sponsors

Napa Green is grateful to our sponsors, who help fund our expanding operations and programs. If you are interested in becoming a Napa Green Sponsor please reach out to Napa Green Executive Director, Anna Brittain.