NOVEMBER 5, 2018. BY WINE INSTITUTE.
Fifth Annual California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards
SAN FRANCISCO — California vineyards and wineries are encouraged to apply for the 2019 California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. Applications are now being accepted at greenmedal.org. The California Green Medal is presented by California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers and The Vineyard Team.
California vineyards and wineries that participate in a sustainability program in the state are eligible to apply in four award categories that recognize outstanding achievement in sustainability:
- Leader Award, given to the vineyard or winery that demonstrates success and innovation in all 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 truly valuable opportunity for California growers and vintners to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to sustainability. We continue to see such impressive applications year after year, and are looking forward to receiving 2019 submissions,” said Allison Jordan, CSWA Executive Director.
To date, 39% of the 599,000 total California winegrape acres are certified to one of the state’s rigorous sustainability programs, and 70% of California wine is produced in a certified winery.
The 2018 Green Medal recipients included, Bogle Vineyards (Leader Award), St. Supery Estate Vineyards and Winery (Environment Award), KG Vineyard Management (Community Award), and Cakebread Cellars (Business Award). The 2018 recipients were honored at a Joint Select Committee on Wine Sustainability Informational Hearing and Legislative Reception on April 11, 2018. Videos highlighting the sustainability accomplishments of these and previous award recipients are available at: greenmedal.org/award-winner-page/.
Applications are being accepted now through Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019.
Visit: greenmedal.org for more information or to apply. Recipients will receive a Green Medal and be recognized in widely distributed communications and honored at an awards ceremony in April in Sacramento. Recipients will also be recognized at the annual Innovation + Quality (IQ) Forum and featured at various tasting and sustainable winegrowing educational events throughout the year. Vineyards and wineries are encouraged to seriously consider their accomplishments when choosing the award category.
The fifth annual California Green Medal is being judged by a panel of wine and sustainability experts. They include: Karen Block, PhD Directory of Industry Relations, UC Davis Viticulture & Enology; Stephanie Bolton, PhD Sustainable Winegrowing Director, Lodi Winegrape Commission; Renata Brillinger, Executive Director, California Climate & Agricultural Network; David Glancy, Master Sommelier, San Francisco Wine School; Allison Jordan, Executive Director, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance; 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; Mike Taylor, Director of Adult Beverages, Nugget Market Inc.; Ann Thrupp, Executive Director, Berkeley Food Institute at UC Berkeley; and Beth Vukmanic Lopez, SIP Certification Manager, The Vineyard Team.
Sponsors include: Exclusive Media Sponsor, Wine Business Monthly; Gold Sponsor, RIVERCAP; Silver Sponsors, Farm Credit Alliance, G3 Enterprises, MCE, and Protected Harvest; Bronze Sponsors, AG Unlimited and ETS Laboratories.
Media Contacts:
Allison Jordan, 415/356-7535 or
Gladys Horiuchi, 415/356-7525
communications@wineinstitute.org
LODI RULES/CALIFORNIA RULES growers are encouraged to apply!
Warren Bogle, President and Vineyard Director of Bogle Vineyards and Winery, recipient of the 2018 Leadership Green Medal Award, encourages vineyards and wineries implementing a focus on sustainability to apply for the 2019 California Green Medal Awards.
“We are honored to be recognized as the recipient of the 2018 Green Medal Award Leader Category,” said Bogle. “Our family and staff believe it is part of our daily job to nurture the land and use water and energy in the most efficient manner ensuring that future generations can enjoy harvests for many years to come. This award showcases that our efforts are making an impact in the vineyards and in the wine we produce.”
“As a winery that has focused on sustainable winegrape growing since 2010, we believe strongly in the processes that the CALIFORNIA RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing has put forth to ensure grape growers are being good stewards of the land. We encourage any winery or vineyard actively adhering to the CALIFORNIA RULES program to apply for this prestigious award.”
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