The Sustainable Winegrowing Program gives growers and vintners educational tools to increase adoption of sustainable practices and to measure and demonstrate ongoing improvement.
Building on major trends and successful regional efforts, the wine community joined together to create the Sustainable Winegrowing Program. A comprehensive workbook and educational workshops provide how-to information on sustainable winegrowing.
Participants self-assess their vineyards and wineries and voluntarily contribute data to measure adoption of sustainable practices. The statewide Sustainability Report documents results, identifies strengths and opportunities for improvement, and sets goals to increase use of sustainable practices. New workshops targeting the most challenging areas are underway, and follow-up reports will track ongoing progress. Partners from government, academia, and community and environmental groups contribute resources and expertise.
About Our Sustainable Winegrowing Program
Online Tools
Greenhouse Gas Protocol and Accounting Toolhttp://www.wineinstitute.org/ghgprotocol
The International Wine Industry Greenhouse Gas Protocol and Accounting Tool, developed through a partnership between the Wine Institute of California, New Zealand Winegrowers, South Africa 's Integrated Production of Wine program, and the Winemakers' Federation of Australia, was developed for use by the global wine industry. The goal of the project partners was to provide a free, easy-to-use, wine industry specific, greenhouse gas (GHG) protocol and calculator that will measure the carbon footprints of winery and vineyard operations of all sizes.
Sustainable Management of Winery Water Guide
http://www.wineinstitute.org/winerywaterguide
Wine Institute and the American Vineyard Foundation, in partnership with the National Grape & Wine Initiative, published a Comprehensive Guide to Sustainable Management of Winery Water and Associated Energy. The document gives wineries of all sizes the tools for self-assessment to make improvements in environmental performance and to lower overall production costs for water and energy use. These practices include steps to reduce source water use in cleaning and sanitation; minimize use of cleaning products and other chemicals; decrease the volume and strength of wastewater produced and associated energy required for treatment; minimize the water and energy needed for heating and cooling operations; and optimize the effectiveness of land application systems for wastewater treatment.
California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) Links
CSWA was established by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) in 2003 to implement the Sustainable Winegrowing Program.
