Being good neighbors and good stewards of the land are important business and personal values in the California wine community. The state’s growers and vintners have been using sustainable winegrowing practices for decades, with educational efforts beginning as early as the late 1950’s. Today’s California wine community has made a strong commitment to sustainability and transparency, as evidenced through the self-assessment and certification programs that have emerged in the last decade.
Programs & Certifications
California Sustainable Winegrowing Program
Through the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers – helps vineyards and wineries continuously improve in adopting sustainable practices. The program provides educational workshops and resources including the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing, a workbook that enables growers and vintners to evaluate over 200 sustainable practices from grapes to glass.
Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW)
Through annual third-party audits, certification provides independent verification of stringent requirements that ensure key sustainability areas such as soil health, water and energy, habitat, and human resources are addressed. Certified vineyards and wineries must also measure resources and performance, comply with restrictions on crop protection materials, and improve year after year.
For more information on this certification program, certified vineyards, wineries and wines, visit us here.
