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Sustainable Winegrowing and Winemaking

Sustainable winegrowing and winemaking is a holistic approach that conserves natural resources, protects the environment, enhances wine quality, enriches the lives of employees and communities, and safeguards family farms and businesses — today and for generations to come.

California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, LIVE, Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing, Oregon Wine, New York Wines, SIP Certified,

Washington State Wine and Washington Winegrowers support the following sustainable winegrowing and winemaking principles:

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Holistic Approach:

Sustainable winegrowing and winemaking is an integrated approach that acknowledges the connection between vineyards, wineries, surrounding ecosystems and communities.

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Triple Bottom Line: 

Sustainable practices satisfy the triple bottom line of environmental stewardship, social equity and economic viability.

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Continuous Improvement:

​Sustainability involves a process of evaluation, improvement and re-evaluation, acknowledging that sustainability is a journey.  Best practices evolve with updated research, and new technologies and adoption of improved practices is on-going.

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Comprehensive, Science-Based Practices: 

Sustainable vineyards and wineries use a broad set of measurable science-based practices that vary based on local conditions and vineyard and/or winery scale and objectives.

Common sustainable winegrowing practices include: 

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Natural Resources Conservation

Conserve water and energy in both vineyard and winery, and protect water and air quality

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Biodiversity

 

Encourage biodiversity and protect wildlife habitat in and around the vineyard and winery

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Soil Health

Promote soil conservation, fertility and regeneration to improve vine health, increase water infiltration and enhance wildlife habitat

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Employee & Community Stewardship

Protect the health and well-being of vineyard and the winery employees, bolster vibrant family farms and businesses, and enhance community quality of life 

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Low Input Farming

Leverage the benefits of natural processes to minimize the need for external inputs in the vineyard

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Climate Resiliency

 

Capture and store carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints, and adapt to climate change impacts

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Sustainable Certification:

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Vineyards and wineries that obtain sustainable certification adhere to the above principles and undergo independent verification that they meet rigorous, publicly available requirements.

Sustainable businesses prioritize worker health and safety

Learn more with these resources:
 

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