Grower Resources

Your Home for all LODI RULES Resources

This page is designed for new and continuing LODI RULES growers. It is a collection of resources needed to certify your vineyards under the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing program, including all documents, instructions, and contact information.

LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing is California’s original sustainable viticulture certification program. Our certification process is rigorous, based in science, voluntary, and third-party accredited and audited. Click HERE or on the binder cover photo to the right to access a PDF with the current LODI RULES standards.

The information included in this page is intended to help make the road to certification a smooth one.

Have questions? Contact Dr. Stephanie Bolton, LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Director, at the Lodi Winegrape Commission: stephanie@lodiwine.com or 209.367.4727.

LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing Certification Standards, Fourth Edition 

The LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing Certification Standards, Fourth Edition binder is your primary tool for navigating the certification process. Getting your hands on this binder is the first step to becoming LODI RULES certified. The binder is comprehensive and contains background on the program, instructions, and resources, and most importantly it outlines the 100+ standards. The binder is to be used in tandem with the online self-assessment website (see below). New Fourth Edition binders are available to pick up at the Lodi Winegrape Commission office. Contact info@lodiwine.com to get your new binder mailed if you are unable to pick one up in Lodi.

The Fourth Edition of LODI RULES is currently being translated into Spanish. For the Spanish version of the Third Edition, click HERE.

The goal of the Fourth Edition is to improve the LODI RULES sustainability certification program based upon new knowledge that’s been gained over the last decade. By improving the program over time, the certification continues to be relevant and progressive, and stays at the forefront of sustainability innovation. Too many changes too often can be confusing to growers and the community. Since we are transitioning to a new pesticide risk model, this was the prime time to add in a small number of new standards and revise existing standards. For a PDF of the Fourth Edition with changes noted, click HERE. New standards address topics such as sustainability communication, beneficials, invasive species, erosion, mealybugs, and viruses.

As a reminder, each LODI RULES standard must:

1. Address at least one of the three aspects of sustainability (environment, people, business).
2. Be measurable/auditable.
3. Be economically feasible to implement.
4. Be based in science (not a trend).

 

2024 LODI RULES Certification Calendar

The 2024 certification year runs from post-harvest 2023 through harvest 2024 and uses the 4th Edition LODI RULES Standards. Applications are due February 29, 2024. Click HERE for a PDF of the 2024 LODI RULES Certification Calendar with program contact information. The 2025 certification year will follow a similar schedule.

mid-January LODI RULES application information sent to growers from Protected Harvest
January 18 Annual LODI RULES Grower & Winery Meeting and Sustainable Vision Workshop, in-person
January 19 Annual LODI RULES Grower & Winery Meeting, virtual
February 29 LODI RULES applications & fees due to Protected Harvest; Online Self-Assessment username/password & certification materials emailed to growers once applications are processed
March 1 Online Self-Assessment opens (lodirules.protectedharvest.org)
by April 15 Auditor emails growers who will receive on-site audits
May 1 Online Self-Assessments are due (lodirules.protectedharvest.org)
mid-May On-Site audits begin (scheduled between Auditors & Growers)
July 1 Deadline for submitting new pesticides needing PEAS units to Stephanie Bolton
mid-August On-Site audits end
October 31 Final date to submit all documentation, including PEAS reports & off-site audit documents, to Auditor 
August – November LODI RULES certificates emailed to passing growers from Protected Harvest as certification is approved

 

Requirements for Certification

Earn a minimum of 50% of the total possible points per Chapter. Note that the total number of points possible varies depending on vineyard and business characteristics.

Earn a minimum of 70% of total possible points overall in six Chapters.

Do not exceed a total of 50 PEAS Environmental Impact Units per vineyard per year.

Implement all mandatory “Fail Chapter” Standards. For a list of “Fail Chapter” Standards, click HERE.

 

LODI RULES Management Plans & Audit Prep Checklist

The LODI RULES Program involves creating and updating management plans such as a human resources management plan, an ecosystem management plan, and a nutrient management plan. For a list of management plans (including examples of several plans and tips on how to write them) along with an Audit Prep Checklist, please check out Tab 10 in your LODI RULES binder or click HERE. You can also view webinars on how to write many of the plans HERE.

 

Pesticide Risk Model: PEAS 2.0

LODI RULES uses a unique science-backed risk tool called PEAS 2.0, based upon the original PEAS (Pesticide Environmental Assessment System) and the IPM Institute’s Pesticide Risk Tool to quantify the environmental and human impact of the active ingredients of pesticides available for use on winegrapes. PEAS 2.0 was developed specifically for LODI RULES with the expert help of world-renowned pesticide risk scientists, integrative biologists, plant pathologists, viticulturists, growers, environmentalists, and pest control specialists. 

PEAS 2.0 generates numeric scores for a total of 15 risk indices across the following categories:

▪ Risks to workers and consumers
▪ Acute risks to aquatic invertebrates, algae and fish
▪ Risks to earthworms
▪ Small mammal risk
▪ Acute and reproductive risks to birds
▪ Risks to bees and beneficial insects (pest natural enemies)

A grower’s LODI RULES PEAS 2.0 Risk Score is calculated for the certification year, which runs from post-harvest of the previous year through harvest of the current year. It is calculated for each material applied to a vineyard block on a per-acre basis, and the summed score for all applied materials cannot exceed the threshold of 225 points as required to pass certification in LODI RULES Standard 6.33. PEAS Reports must be submitted to the auditor every year by October 31. 

To calculate your PEAS 2.0 Risk Score, you will need to use:

1. LODI RULES PEAS 2.0 Calculation Instructions
2. LODI RULES PEAS 2.0 Risk Table (use Control + F to search this document)
3. LODI RULES PEAS 2.0 Report Template, available in Excel (preferred) or Word (new template coming soon)
4. LODI RULES PEAS 2.0 Field Guide showing breakdown of risk

 

Protected Harvest’s LODI RULES Certification Manual

The LODI RULES Certification Manual provides critical information about the certification process. The manual includes information about the application materials, fees, record-keeping, self-assessment, and auditing. The manual is included in the LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing Certification Standards binder in Tab 8.

Base Grower Certification Fee:
New Grower: $1,785
Renewing Grower: $1,205

Grower Incremental Assessment Fee:
$2.00 per application acre for vineyards within Crush District #11
$4.00 per application acre for vineyards outside Crush District #11 within CA
$5.00 per application acre for vineyards outside CA within the USA
$6.00 per application acre for vineyards outside the USA

Renewal On-Site Audit Fee:
Renewing Grower: $300 when on-site audit is required (typically once every three years)

 

LODI RULES Online Self-Assessment Website

In addition to the LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing Certification Standards binder, Protected Harvest’s online self-assessment website is an essential tool for LODI RULES growers. The assessment site allows growers to submit their farming practices, which are reviewed by the auditor. All assessments must be completed using this online system – no paper assessments are accepted. Log-in information is available from Protected Harvest after certification applications are submitted.

The Online Self-Assessment User Guide provides detailed step-by-step instructions for navigating the online self-assessment website. The user guide is included in the LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing Certification Standards binder in Tab 9.

 

LODI RULES Grower Marketing Tools

In 2019, we responded to requests from growers by introducing a Marketing Tab to the LODI RULES binders. Since then, we’ve continued to add tools to help our LODI RULES certified growers market their sustainable grapes. Here are some materials to help you share your sustainability message with the world:

 

Vineyard and Winery Signs

Permanent signs are a wonderful way to communicate your commitment to sustainable agriculture. Signs are available for purchase to all growers participating in the LODI RULES program (certificate required) and all wineries using the LODI RULES seal on wine labels. The signs can be installed in any high-visibility locations. Two sign options are available: a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. The horizontal option (24″ x 32″) is designed to be read from a passing car, so it is well-suited for road-side vineyards. The vertical option (32″ x 24″) is designed for easy installation and its geometry is appropriate for tight spaces such as winery parking lots or seating areas. However, feel free to choose either sign for any application. Signs will be customizable with your vineyard or winery name. Place your orders with Robyn at Gary’s Signs. Robyn is happy to communicate via email (robynm@garyssigns.com) or by telephone at 209.369.8592 (7:30am – 5pm). Signs may bear the LODI RULES, CALIFORNIA RULES, or CERTIFIED GREEN seal.