Wine Professionals and Wine Lovers:
Support sustainable vineyards and wineries, and look for sustainably grown and made wine from the following U.S. programs.
Vintners and Growers:
Learn about sustainable winegrowing practices to help continuously improve your sustainability. The following programs offer educational tools and resources tailored to their region and, in some cases, third-party certification programs to ensure specific requirements are met..
Sustainable winegrowing, by nature, is not “one size fits all.” Best practices can vary across the country, reflecting differences in climate, topography, geology and the regulatory environment. Sustainability programs acknowledge and accommodate these differences, and help vineyards and wineries focus on the most impactful practices.
The following programs are examples of educational and/or certification offerings in the U.S.:
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California Sustainable Winegrowing Program
Since 2002, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program has provided educational tools and resources, including a comprehensive online self-assessment tool, to encourage adoption of sustainable practices by the state’s vineyards and wineries.
State(s)
California
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
Yes
3rd-Party Certification
No
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Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing
Beginning in 2010, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing offers third-party certification to vineyards and wineries dedicated to environmental stewardship and socially responsible business practices. As of January 2022, 2,402 vineyards (204,000 acres, 32% of California winegrape acres) and 178 wineries producing 255 million cases (80% of California wine) are certified, and 199 million wine bottles bear the certification logo or claims.
State(s)
California
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
Yes
3rd-Party Certification
Yes
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Fish Friendly Farming
Fish Friendly Farming is a certification program for agricultural properties managed to restore fish and wildlife habitat and improve water quality. Farm plan development began in 1997 and certification was first available in 1999. As of January 2021, 1850 vineyards (73,900 acres) are certified.
State(s)
California
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
No
3rd-Party Certification
Yes
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LandSmart®
LandSmart® is a regional collaborative program that helps land managers meet their natural resource management goals while supporting productive lands and thriving streams. In 2013 farm plans were first offered, and in 2015 certification of farm plans began. As of January 2021, 207 vineyards (21,702 acres) are certified.
State(s)
California /
Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino Counties
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
No
3rd-Party Certification
Yes
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LIVE
Since 1997, LIVE provides third-party certification and education to both wineries and vineyards with the mission to preserve human and natural resources in the wine industry of the Pacific Northwest. As of April 2021, 329 vineyards (13,004 total vineyard acres, 30,518 farm acres, and 8,159 biodiversity acres) and 39 wineries are certified LIVE.
State(s)
Idaho, Oregon,
Washington
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
Yes
3rd-Party Certification
Yes
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LODI RULES
Created by California farmers and accredited by world-renowned scientists, LODI RULES began offering certification in 2005, after beginning as an IPM program in 1992 and a self-assessment program in 2000. As of January 2021, 1,292 vineyards (55,380 acres) are certified and 60 wineries use the seal on wine labels.
State(s)
California, Washington
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
No
3rd-Party Certification
Yes
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Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing
Since 2012, Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing provides regionally adapted education and third-party certification for sustainably farmed vineyards in the Long Island wine region. As of January 2021, 23 vineyards (1000+ acres) are certified.
State(s)
New York
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
No
3rd-Party Certification
Yes
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Napa Green
Napa Green serves as a catalyst and facilitator to grow certified sustainable, responsible businesses committed to the environmental stewardship and climate action in Napa County. Napa Green Land began in 2004 and includes over 40,000 certified acres, and Napa Green Winery began in 2008 and includes 92 certified wineries producing 15 million cases.
State(s)
California /
Napa Cty.
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
Yes
3rd-Party Certification
Yes
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Salmon-Safe
Salmon-Safe works with West Coast farmers, developers, and other environmentally innovative landowners to reduce watershed impacts through rigorous third-party verified certification. Salmon-Safe for winegrowing focuses on reducing vineyard runoff, water quality protection, and enhancement of native biodiversity on vineyard sites. Salmon-Safe’s primary Oregon and Washington vineyard certification program is operated in partnership with LIVE.
State(s)
British Columbia, Oregon, Washington
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
No
3rd-Party Certification
Yes
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SIP Certified®
SIP Certified® is a rigorous sustainable vineyard, winery, and wine certification. SIP Certified® grew out of an educational self-assessment program first offered in 1996, its first vineyard and wine certification began in 2008, and a winery certification was added in 2008. As of January 2021, there are over 250 certified vineyards (42,000+ acres), 4 wineries and 49 million bottles that bear the logo.
State(s)
California,
Michigan
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
Yes
3rd-Party Certification
Yes
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Sonoma County Sustainable Winegrowing
In 2014, Sonoma County’s Winegrowers made a commitment to become the first winegrowing region with 100% certified sustainable vineyards. After a five-year journey of collaboration and education, 99% of the vineyard acreage in Sonoma County has been certified sustainable by a third-party program, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Fish Friendly Farming, LODI RULES or SIP Certified®.
State(s)
California /
Sonoma Cty.
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
No
3rd-Party Certification
Yes
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Vinewise®\ Winerywise™
Vinewise® started in 2008 and Winerywise™ started in 2010. Both are online programs for growers and winemakers that provide robust guides to sustainability best practices with self-assessments. The program includes interactive tools that encourage, guide, and teach sustainable topics on winemaking, viticulture, and business.
State(s)
Washington
Vineyard Program
Yes
Winery Program
Yes
3rd-Party Certification
No
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