Wine industry sets standards for sustainability

The state's largest wine industry trade group launched a program Wednesday to certify wineries and vineyards around the state that meet its standards for sustainability.

The program, organized by the San Francisco-based Wine Institute, will allow wineries and vineyards to market themselves as sustainable if they demonstrate continued improvement toward various sustainability goals.

The Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing program goes beyond the voluntary educational program the Wine Institute has run for years by adding verification of progress by an outside party.

“Third-party certification helps California's wine community speed efforts to create a healthier environment, stronger communities and vibrant businesses,” said Bobby Koch, president of the Wine Institute. “The program reflects the California wine community's commitment to continually produce the finest quality wine and grapes with practices that are environmentally and socially responsible.”

The program is open to all wineries and vineyards in the state, not just Wine Institute members. To be eligible, wineries or grape growers must meet 58 criteria, assess winery and/or vineyard operations, create and implement an annual action plan and show improvement over time.

Seventeen companies have received certification for some or all of their vineyard and winery operations after participating in a pilot program to test the certification requirements and offer feedback. They are: Clos LaChance Wines; Concannon Vineyard/Concannon Winery; Constellation Wines U.S.; Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards; Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines; Fetzer Vineyards/Bonterra Vineyards; E&J Gallo Winery; Goldeneye Winery; The Hess Collection; Honig Vineyard & Winery; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Kunde Family Estate; Meridian Vineyards/Taz Vineyards; Monterey Pacific, Inc.; Roberts Vineyard Services; Rodney Strong Wine Estates; and Vino Farms.