Tod Mostero, director of viticulture and winemaking at Dominus Estate, led a Dry Farming Mentorship workshop at the first Napa THRIVES conference in June. Submitted photo

The Climate Connection: A report from Napa THRIVES

If not here, where?

Napa County can and should be the wine industry leader in sustainability and climate action. Our region and wines capture global attention; this means we can be an outsize force for change.

This is why I, along with Martin Reyes, MW, originated, organized and presented Napa THRIVES, a dynamic six-session event, held in June, that was designed to spur critical regional climate action within the wine industry. The efforts of the organizers were aided by co-sponsors, community supporters and an energetic planning committee.

The Napa THRIVES programs were organized around Napa Green’s “Six Pillars of Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership.” These include energy efficiency, waste prevention, water efficiency, social equity, integrated pest management and climate action. The Six Pillars serve as the foundation for Napa Green’s vineyard and winery certification standards. (https://napagreen.org/)

Nearly 600 guests and dozens of renowned speakers gathered together at the Charles Krug Winery Carriage House in St. Helena where community-building around the concept of sustainability became a reality. The THRIVES experience deepened existing relationships, ignited new conversations, forged a shared sense of purpose, and led several industry leaders to commit to purposeful action in the near and long term.

Examples of these commitments included the following:

— Chimney Rock Winery will explore installing electric vehicle chargers and the possibility of using lighter-weight glass bottles for their wines.

— Crocker & Starr is in the process of obtaining Napa Green Vineyard certification, including taking action to maximize irrigation efficiency, and is also divesting from lenders and investors that support fossil fuels.

— Tonnellerie Berger will seek greener packaging for international barrel shipments, and will facilitate a community initiative for local recycling and reuse of barrel packaging.

— Massican Wines will explore B Corp certification.

Highlights

During the opening session Eric Asimov, New York Times wine critic, warned against “Pro-task-ination” – emphasizing how multiple daily tasks must not become an excuse for not taking rapid action to draw down emissions and build resilience. Asimov noted, “Wine has the power to educate and persuade — it’s crucial to use this storytelling power.”

Bill McKibben, internationally renowned climate advocate, founder of 350.org and Third Act, drove home the scale of the climate crisis and the unique opportunity the wine industry has to bravely engage with “HNWIs” — the high-net-worth individuals who visit and enjoy the valley’s exceptional wines.

McKibben observed, “The planet is way outside its comfort zone, and so we also have to be far outside our comfort zone,” by issuing a call to action, including divesting from entities that support fossil fuels.

Birgit Cameron, co-founder of Patagonia Provisions, an offshoot of the Patagonia apparel company, spoke about building a more regenerative agriculture by harnessing nature-based solutions. Cameron called this opportunity a “Delicious Revolution.”

Those who work in any branch of the wine industry and who are looking for a clear path to comprehensive, systematic sustainability and climate action are invited to work with Napa Green toward winery and/or vineyard certification. Resources abound to help business leaders improve the bottom line, develop action plans, and continually improve. Our dedicated Napa Green experts can serve as an extension of your team.

As Martin Reyes observed, “To call Napa Green just a certification program is to call Napa Valley just a place to get a drink.”

Together, we can leverage our powerful leadership platform and serve as a force to transform the industry.

The Napa THRIVES event recordings will be posted on napathrives.org/ by the end of July.

Actions you can take

— Learn more at NapaTHRIVES.org and NapaGreen.org

— Enroll to become a Napa Green Certified Vineyard and/or Napa Green Certified Winery.

—  Sign up for the Napa Green Newsletter: napagreen.org/newsletter-sign-up/

Napa Climate NOW! is a local non-profit citizens’ group advocating for smart climate solutions based on the latest climate science, part of 350 Bay Area. Like, comment, and share our daily Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter posts @napaclimatenow or visit napa.350bayarea.org

Anna Brittain has helped lead the growth of the Napa Green program for more than seven years, stepping into the position of executive director of the now independent non-profit in fall 2019.

Making the commitment to third party certification takes time and effort, but it is worth it to demonstrate our commitment to the community and to protect our watershed, our land and the air we breathe.​

Have you met Sierra, our Climate & Soil Specialist? Sierra works tirelessly to advance climate resiliency in the Napa Valley by collaborating with growers to realize their climate action aspirations. 

Say hi to @growresiliently next time you see her in the field. Thanks for all that you do, Sierra!
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On average 40-60% of a vineyard and winery’s carbon footprint is from packaging and distribution alone. Join us to explore climate smart, sustainable glass, closures, the future of reusable glass, alternative packaging. Hear case studies. Learn what is truly recyclable, and new opportunities to recycle film wrap and label backing. Since 2020, climate smart marketed CPG products have doubled in sales to $3.4 billion. Wine bottles and packaging can be leveraged to meet rising consumer demand for climate smart products.

Get tickets to this workshop @pineridgewine to hear from @napagreen @consciouscontainer @revinobottles @keystonecapsules @cork_supply @neotempowines @estal_packaging @uppervalleydisposal @naparecycling and more!
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You may have seen Megan, our Winery Program Manager, out and about sporting her @napagreen shirt and talking about green practices. Utilizing her background in hospitality, sustainability and engineering she is dedicated in guiding businesses toward a more sustainable future. 

Thanks for all you do @love.dream.breathe!
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Join us for All Things Bottle Sustainability on Friday, April 26th. Link in bio to register!
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Cheers to @abrittain! Anna has worked locally, nationally and internationally on environmental management, including leading @napagreen and @naparise to the forefront of the wine industry climate action movement. 

Keep an eye out for her with our unofficial mascot, Lily, sharing our best practices, facilitating action and growing resilience in our industry and community. 

Thank you for all you do!
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We’re so pleased to announce Verallia as a new Napa Green Sponsor and excited to see their work in creating lighter sparkling wine glass bottles with Napa Green Champion @domainecarneros! 

For more info on Verallia head to the link in our profile and for more info on becoming a Napa Green Sponsor email: social@napagreen.org 🥂
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We’ve had so much fun hosting and being out at events this March! It was great seeing you all at our Cutilvating Resilience Salon and Celebrate St. Helena event at @crockerstarr! 

We’re just getting warmed up because you know what next month is.. EARTH MONTH! 🌎🌱

Can’t wait to see more friendly faces celebrating our beautiful planet in April. Cheers! 🥂
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Join us for a not to be missed dinner experience. Only 20 guests in attendance will be looking out over the infinity pool at Neotempo’s organic vineyard, and the beautiful view of the Vaca Mountains beyond. Award-winning Chef Dave Cruz previously of Ad Hoc, will prepare a four-course, locally-sourced dinner paired with Cristal Louis Roederer Champagne and spectacular Neotempo wines. 

You will have the chance to share transformative conversations and form deep connections with industry leaders and changemakers. Special guest Karen MacNeil will share insights on “All Things Bottle Sustainability.” 

This will be, truly, unforgettable.

Claim your tax deductible tickets for April 26th asap and support local climate action. Information may be found at the link in our profile.
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Expedition Stags Leap! 🥾🍷

This is the way to our hearts! Plan your visit to Napa Green Certified winery @pineridgewine to taste the quality and learn all about climate smart practices in both the winery and vineyard! 

#stagsleap #napavalley #cabernet #regenerativeagriculture #winereels
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See and learn the technique for a conservation/low-smoke burn. Join us tomorrow for this no cost event at @gloriaferrerwinery! 

The Clean Burn Company and Napachar will run their BurnBoss air curtain burner and flame-capped kiln/ring-of-fire system for processing spent vines, fire fuel thinning, and other wood waste. All three of these techniques/technologies can be used to develop biochar. 

Michael Sippiora from Treasury Wine Estates will present the results of a recent vineyard biochar application research project.

Link in profile to register, see you tomorrow!
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In loving memory of the legendary Miljenko ‘Mike’ Grgich.
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Thank you to all who came out for our Weed Management event! For more info check out our online Weed Management Toolkit with FAQ’s, Case Studies, Resources and more. 

🌱🚜
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Cultivating Resilience in Napa Valley 🍷

A few tickets remain for the event THIS Thursday, March 14th at 3:00pm. Join Winemaker @matt_brain_, @cathycorison, @bedrockwines & @andrearobinsonms for a lively and interactive tasting of barrel samples and panel discussion. 

🎟️ Click the link in our profile to reserve your seat now.
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Join us THIS Thursday, March 14th for a panel on Cultivating Resilience with @cathycorison, @bedrockmorgan, @matt_brain_ & @andrearobinsonms. 

The event is held at @freemarkabbey and begins at 3:00pm. Please get your tickets ASAP at the link in our profile. See you there!
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Listen in for insights from @bedrockmorgan on Cultivating Resilience in changing weather patterns and get your ticket to hear Morgan, @cathycorison, @matt_brain_ & @andrearobinsonms live at next week’s Vintage Salon on Thurs, March 14th at 3:00pm at @freemarkabbey. 

Link in bio for tickets! 🎟️
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On this global day of celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women world wide, we want to wish all women in wine and climate action a very Happy International Women’s Day! 

The work we do is never easy but we’ve seen great advancements and look forward to what more what can do in 2024, together. 

Cheers!! 

#internationalwomensday #womensday #womeninwine #winebusiness #wineindustry #climateaction #napa #napavalley 

📸: @kikimrobinson & @briana_marie
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