Fourth Annual California Green Medal:
Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards
California vineyards and wineries are encouraged to apply for the 2018 California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. Applications are being accepted now through February 9th, 2018 at greenmedal.org. The California Green Medal is presented by California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers and The Vineyard Team. A number of regional winery and winegrowing association partners are also involved in promoting the awards.
California vineyards and wineries that participate in any sustainability program available in California are eligible to apply in four award categories that will recognize outstanding achievement in sustainability:
• Leader Award, given to the vineyard or winery that demonstrates success and innovation in all of the below three areas of sustainable winegrowing and inspires others.
• Environment Award, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices.
• Community Award, given to the vineyard or winery that is a Good Neighbor & Employer using the most innovative practices that enhance relations with employees, neighbors and/or communities.
• Business Award, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.
“The Green Medal is a great opportunity for California growers and vintners to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to sustainability. We’ve seen truly remarkable applications over the past three years, and look forward to receiving 2018 submissions,” said Allison Jordan, CSWA Executive Director. Dr. Stephanie Bolton, Director of the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Program, adds “Even just filling out an application for a Green Medal Award is rewarding. Completing the application helps you and your staff realize all of the exciting sustainable practices you have in place, and it forces you to write these practices down in a concise way that makes sense to the public – sentences you can use in your marketing material to promote sustainability.”
2017 Green Medal Award Winners. (L-R) Steve McIntyre of Monterey Pacific, Inc.; Aron Weinkauf of Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery; Rhonda Hood of Francis Ford Coppola Winery; and Robert Aldridge of St. Francis Winery & Vineyard
Congratulations to the 2017 Green Medal recipients: Francis Ford Coppola Winery (2017 Leader Award), Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery (2017 Environment Award), St. Francis Vineyard & Winery (2017 Community Award), and Monterey Pacific, Inc. (2017 Business Award). Other previous winners, as well as videos highlighting the sustainability accomplishments of award recipients, are available on the Green Medal award-winners page.
Applications are being accepted now through Friday, February 9, 2018.
Visit greenmedal.org for more information or to apply. Winners will receive a Green Medal, be recognized in widely distributed communications and honored at an awards ceremony in April in Sacramento. We encourage vineyards and wineries to put serious thought into the award category they select on their application. As background, many applicants chose to apply for the Environment Award last year.
The fourth annual California Green Medal is being judged by a panel of wine and sustainability experts. They include: Dr. Stephanie Bolton, Sustainable Winegrowing Director, Lodi Winegrape Commission; David Glancy, Master Sommelier, San Francisco Wine School; Allison Jordan, Executive Director, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance; Kelli McCune, Senior Project Manager, Sustainable Conservation; Michelle Novi, Industry Relations Manager, Napa Valley Vintners; Cyril Penn, Editor in Chief, Wine Business Monthly; Kate Piontek, Vice President of Operations, Sonoma County Winegrowers; Beth Vukmanic Lopez, SIP Certification Manager, The Vineyard Team; and Ray Johnson, Executive Director, Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University.
Sponsors include: Exclusive Media Sponsor, Wine Business Monthly; Gold Sponsor, RIVERCAP; Silver Sponsors, Protected Harvest, Farm Credit Alliance, and MCE Clean Energy; Bronze Sponsors, CC Wine Caves, and WM EarthCare. Partnering organizations include: Fish Friendly Farming; Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association; Napa County Resource Conservation District; Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance; San Luis Obispo Wine Country Association; Santa Barbara Vintners; and Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance.
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