MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022. BY STEPHANIE BOLTON, PhD.
The Lodi Winegrape Commission is thrilled to release the newly accredited Fourth Edition LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Certification Standards!
The goal of the Fourth Edition is to improve the LODI RULES sustainability certification program based on 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 some new standards and revise existing standards. To view 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 on science (not a trend).
Great care was taken to ensure that each new standard and revision met the specifications listed above. One favorite new practice is LR Standard 1.19 “The Carbon Cycle,” which empowers growers to make climate-friendly decisions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on their farms.
Thanks to everyone who provided input and feedback on the 4th Edition. All comments were given careful consideration by the LODI RULES Committee and leadership.
New 4th Edition binders will be available to pick up at the Annual LODI RULES Year-End Recap Event in Lodi on January 17 (see below), at the Lodi Winegrape Commission office beginning January 18, or at Booth 615 at the Unified Symposium in Sacramento. Binders are also available as a flash drive.
LODI RULES growers and new applicants may contact info@lodiwine.com after January 18 to get a new binder mailed if you are unable to pick one up in Lodi or at Unified. All current program documents plus many more resources are also always available at lodigrowers.com/standards.
The launching of the Fourth Edition follows the biggest certification year yet for the program, which began in 2005 with just six growers and about 1,500 acres. For a wonderful history of the LODI RULES program, check out this Lodi Wine blog post by Randy Caparoso: “Cliff Ohmart shares his firsthand detailed history of Lodi’s groundbreaking sustainable winegrowing program.”
Today there are hundreds of growers and nearly 70,000 acres certified under LODI RULES across California, in Washington state, and in Israel.
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For more information on the wines of Lodi, visit the Lodi Winegrape Commission’s consumer website, lodiwine.com.
For more information on the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Program, visit lodigrowers.com/standards or lodirules.org.
