Social equity, Justice & inclusion

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Since the early 1990s, when sustainability hit the stage as a critical element of business leadership, social equity was always inherent to being sustainable. We can’t have environmental or economic sustainability without social sustainability. Over time the equity element has been sidelined, and increasingly sustainability has become synonymous solely with environmental stewardship. In fact, real sustainability is about caring for the health and resilience of nature and environment, the health and resilience of employees and community, all of which contributes to the success and longevity of businesses.

In the wine industry, social equity focuses on issues like farmworker training, living wage, affordable housing, and opportunities for advancement. In addition, we have to acknowledge that industry leadership has been overwhelmingly white- and male-dominated. There are myriad opportunities to elevate diversity and inclusion, creating openings and opportunities for people of color (POC). 

Here are some examples of how sustainable wineries and vineyards are addressing social equity, justice and inclusion:

  • Encouraging and paying for workers to attend ESL, computer skills and other continuing education courses from groups like the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation
  • Having team leads participate in Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum workshops
  • Arranging implicit bias training with groups like CircleUp Education
  • Whenever possible, hiring farmworkers year-round, recognizing the value-add of their site-specific vineyard knowledge
  • Leveraging the H-2A system (temporary agricultural employment of foreign workers) and hiring the same crew annually, providing them with work consistency and security
  • Validating that Farm Labor Contractors are providing essential training, safety protocols and adequate housing (where relevant)
  • Offering the vineyard team the opportunity to get inside the winery and engage with wine production, and in parallel offering the winery team the opportunity to get out in the vineyard and experience grape growing first hand

sustainability spotlight

"We have two women leading an all-Latino winemaking team. Our small cellar team of six has all been here 15 plus years, with a 50:50 split of women to men. At least once a year we visit another winery that is a leader in sustainability. This helps keep everyone engaged and thinking about both low-hanging fruit and long-term dreams for saving water and energy, reducing emissions, and building resilience. Laura Orozco, our Assistant Winemaker, is bullish about recycling and composting and keeping the team trained. We focus on development and opportunities for advancement, and have a budget for education to support professional and personal growth. Edgar Lona joined as a cellar intern in 1997, and is now the Cellar Master & Facility Supervisor. We are working with The Roots Fund to hire interns for harvest to broaden and diversify our talent pool. We also try to be generous with work-life balance, especially with the home-schooling challenges during COVID. Napa Green has broadened our perspective of what sustainability really means – it is so much more than how we grow our grapes. Diversity and social inclusion are a part of our fabric, essential to sustain our business and make us better."
Elizabeth Vianna, Winemaker & General Manager, Chimney Rock Winery

Resources

sustainability stories

napagreen

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From soil to bottle - the leading sustainable wine growing certification program for Napa County Vineyards & Wineries.
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What is biochar and why is it so cool?

Hear from @napa.char to learn more.

#climateaction #soilhealth #biochar

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What is biochar and why is it so cool? Hear from @napa.char to learn more. #climateaction #soilhealth #biochar
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🐝 “If you build it, they will hum” - Erin Arnsteen, Western Program Coordinator @monarchjointventure

We are grateful for everyone who attended our Biodiversity in the Vineyard workshop last week! It was an amazing day @grgichhillsestate filled with bees, birds, butterflies, a community passionate about biodiversity, and experts providing resources for building biodiversity in YOUR vineyard.

#regenerativeag #biodiversity #worldwildlife #regenerativeviticulture

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🐝 “If you build it, they will hum” - Erin Arnsteen, Western Program Coordinator @monarchjointventure We are grateful for everyone who attended our Biodiversity in the Vineyard workshop last week! It was an amazing day @grgichhillsestate filled with bees, birds, butterflies, a community passionate about biodiversity, and experts providing resources for building biodiversity in YOUR vineyard. #regenerativeag #biodiversity #worldwildlife #regenerativeviticulture
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Join us in congratulating Megan Scott (@love.dream.breathe), our Operations Director, on 6 years at @napagreen. Megan’s positive attitude and “can do” approach to problem solving has greatly contributed to the success of Napa Green and our members.

Thanks for your work and dedication to sustainability!

📸 @brianamarieweddings
📍 @trefethenfamily

#womeninwine #womeninstem #climateaction

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Join us in congratulating Megan Scott (@love.dream.breathe), our Operations Director, on 6 years at @napagreen. Megan’s positive attitude and “can do” approach to problem solving has greatly contributed to the success of Napa Green and our members. Thanks for your work and dedication to sustainability! 📸 @brianamarieweddings 📍 @trefethenfamily #womeninwine #womeninstem #climateaction
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Thanks to the @naparegister for publishing this Climate Connection contribution from @napagreen’s Vineyard Program Director, Ben Mackie (@soilrainandhope) highlighting the biodiversity @grgichhillsestate.

If you loved this article, you’ll love our Birds, Bees & Butterflies: Biodiversity in the Vineyard workshop happening today!

#climateaction #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture

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Thanks to the @naparegister for publishing this Climate Connection contribution from @napagreen’s Vineyard Program Director, Ben Mackie (@soilrainandhope) highlighting the biodiversity @grgichhillsestate. If you loved this article, you’ll love our Birds, Bees & Butterflies: Biodiversity in the Vineyard workshop happening today! #climateaction #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture
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Friday night dinner dilemma?

Order takeout from @southsidenapa using promo code DONATE and 20% of your order will be donated to @napagreen.

It’s a win: win! You get dinner and @napagreen gets funding to contribute our impactful climate action work in Napa Valley.

Order online or preorder your Fried Chicken Friday pickup for February 27, 2026. Don’t forget to pair it with Napa Green certified wine! 🍽️ 🍷

#dineanddonate #nonprofit #napavalley

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Friday night dinner dilemma? Order takeout from @southsidenapa using promo code DONATE and 20% of your order will be donated to @napagreen. It’s a win: win! You get dinner and @napagreen gets funding to contribute our impactful climate action work in Napa Valley. Order online or preorder your Fried Chicken Friday pickup for February 27, 2026. Don’t forget to pair it with Napa Green certified wine! 🍽️ 🍷 #dineanddonate #nonprofit #napavalley
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Learn about the herd of cattle calmly grazing the vineyards @ruddestate, contributing to soil health and biodiversity, in our latest post from @soilrainandhope.

➡️ Link in bio.

#climateaction #regenerativeag #regnerativeviticulture #soilhealth

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Learn about the herd of cattle calmly grazing the vineyards @ruddestate, contributing to soil health and biodiversity, in our latest post from @soilrainandhope. ➡️ Link in bio. #climateaction #regenerativeag #regnerativeviticulture #soilhealth
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Thanks to @naparegister and @kcuz for this great article about the @regenerativeviticulture and @napagreen #OneBlockChallenge field day @celaniwines.

We had a great time engaging with attendees about opportunities to implement regenerative practices in their vineyards!

If you’re regenerative curious or want to learn more head to the link in our bio!

#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture

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Thanks to @naparegister and @kcuz for this great article about the @regenerativeviticulture and @napagreen #OneBlockChallenge field day @celaniwines. We had a great time engaging with attendees about opportunities to implement regenerative practices in their vineyards! If you’re regenerative curious or want to learn more head to the link in our bio! #climateaction #regenerativeviticulture
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We love the biodiversity in this @grgichhillsestate American Canyon Vineyard!

Come learn how to integrate biodiversity in your vineyard on February 26 at this workshop with @napagreen, @grgichhillsestate, @wildfarmalliance, @monarchjointventure, @napapastureprotein and @naparcd.

➡️ Ticket link in bio.

#Biodiversity #RegenerativeAg #RegenerativeViticulture

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We love the biodiversity in this @grgichhillsestate American Canyon Vineyard! Come learn how to integrate biodiversity in your vineyard on February 26 at this workshop with @napagreen, @grgichhillsestate, @wildfarmalliance, @monarchjointventure, @napapastureprotein and @naparcd. ➡️ Ticket link in bio. #Biodiversity #RegenerativeAg #RegenerativeViticulture
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Biodiversity is essential for any resilient vineyard.

Join us on February 26, 2026 at @grgichhills American Canyon to learn how to integrate biodiversity within vineyard blocks.

Experts from @wildfarmalliance @monarchjointventure @napapastureprotein and @naparcd will be on hand to discuss all the various species that a vineyard can support.

Ticket link in bio.

#biodiversity #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture

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Biodiversity is essential for any resilient vineyard. Join us on February 26, 2026 at @grgichhills American Canyon to learn how to integrate biodiversity within vineyard blocks. Experts from @wildfarmalliance @monarchjointventure @napapastureprotein and @naparcd will be on hand to discuss all the various species that a vineyard can support. Ticket link in bio. #biodiversity #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture
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Learn how @closduval used Verallia lightweight glass to help reduce their environmental impact and meet their sustainability goals.

Read more at napagreen.org

#climateaction #lightenup

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Learn how @closduval used Verallia lightweight glass to help reduce their environmental impact and meet their sustainability goals. Read more at napagreen.org #climateaction #lightenup
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What a great #OneBlockChallenge first field day!

Not only was it a gorgeous day with a great community of people we also heard from some awesome speakers:
🍇 @cainethompson about the @regenerativeviticulture foundation and the implementation practices
🍇 Jordan Lonberg @coastalvineyardcare about continuous improvement and shifting the industry mindset
🍇 @soilrainandhope about the practical aspects of the regeneratives practices and how @napagreen and @naparcd can provide support
🍇 Dustin Owen @celaniwines about their their vineyard’s regenerative journey

Thanks to all who attended and to @celaniwines for hosting!

➡️ To learn more about regenerative vineyard practices or to enroll in either the One Block Challenge or Napa Green Vineyard certification, head to the links in our bio.

#regenerativeag #climateaction

Open post by napagreen with ID 18073947275123726
What a great #OneBlockChallenge first field day! Not only was it a gorgeous day with a great community of people we also heard from some awesome speakers: 🍇 @cainethompson about the @regenerativeviticulture foundation and the implementation practices 🍇 Jordan Lonberg @coastalvineyardcare about continuous improvement and shifting the industry mindset 🍇 @soilrainandhope about the practical aspects of the regeneratives practices and how @napagreen and @naparcd can provide support 🍇 Dustin Owen @celaniwines about their their vineyard’s regenerative journey Thanks to all who attended and to @celaniwines for hosting! ➡️ To learn more about regenerative vineyard practices or to enroll in either the One Block Challenge or Napa Green Vineyard certification, head to the links in our bio. #regenerativeag #climateaction
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It’s hard to believe it’s already been 3 years since @marisataylorwines joined our team, but time flies when you’re having fun (and wine)!

Join us in celebrating Marisa Taylor, who is an accomplished winemaker and sustainability leader with over two decades of experience in the wine industry, and also the Napa Green Winery Program Manager, where she partners with wineries across Napa Valley to advance meaningful environmental stewardship and sustainable winegrowing practices. 
 
Thank you for bringing your passion and positive energy to our team every day!

The team celebrated with our @napagreen certified #NapaNeighbors @rombauervineyards.

#winebusiness #womeninwine #sustainablewine

Open post by napagreen with ID 18039986000743877
It’s hard to believe it’s already been 3 years since @marisataylorwines joined our team, but time flies when you’re having fun (and wine)! Join us in celebrating Marisa Taylor, who is an accomplished winemaker and sustainability leader with over two decades of experience in the wine industry, and also the Napa Green Winery Program Manager, where she partners with wineries across Napa Valley to advance meaningful environmental stewardship and sustainable winegrowing practices.    Thank you for bringing your passion and positive energy to our team every day! The team celebrated with our @napagreen certified #NapaNeighbors @rombauervineyards. #winebusiness #womeninwine #sustainablewine
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