Month-long Campaign—Coinciding with Earth Day—Highlights State’s Sustainable Winegrowing and Winemaking
SAN FRANCISCO — A new, month-long celebration, "California Wines: Down to Earth" shines a spotlight on sustainability. From "green wine trails" and Earth Day wine and food festivals to special eco-tours in the vineyard, California’s winemakers and winegrowers are offering a wide variety of fun, sustainably-focused festivities throughout the month of April, which can be found at www.discovercaliforniawines.com/d2e.
"Down to Earth" month events will be engaging and meaningful experiences that let wine lovers get down to earth—connecting to the land and the people who make the wines they enjoy in a manner that benefits the environment and the community.
“These experiences make April a great time to learn about our California wines and the environmentally and community-friendly practices used to grow and produce them,” said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, president and CEO of Wine Institute. “More than two-thirds of California’s winegrape growers and winemakers have adopted our sustainable program and participation is increasing, making ours one of the most widely adopted in the wine world.”
Wine Institute created “California Wines: Down to Earth” month to highlight California’s leadership in environmentally and socially responsible winegrowing and winemaking practices—and the people and places behind them. The campaign—held the same month as Earth Day—is designed to inform and engage policy leaders, media, wine trade and consumers about the California wine community’s major commitment to environmental and community stewardship.
“Sustainability is a vital part of the long-term future of California wine which contributes to California’s economy, attracts 20 million tourists annually, generates 820,000 jobs nationwide of which 330,000 are in California, and allows vintners and growers to pass on their wineries and farms to future generations,” said Koch.
California is a world leader in sustainable winegrowing practices. The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) program has 1,700 wineries and vineyards that have evaluated the sustainability of their operations with CSWA’s Code of best practices—representing 70 percent of California’s wine acreage and 65 percent of the state’s wine shipments. Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing and other statewide and regional programs such as Fish Friendly Farming, Bay Area Green Business Program, Lodi Rules, Napa Green and Sustainability in Practice (SIP) play an important role in the California wine community’s efforts to produce high quality wine that is environmentally sound, economically feasible and socially equitable. To learn more, visit: www.discovercaliforniawines.com/d2e.
“Down to Earth” Events, Tours and Offers in California Wine Country
(Winery events are continuing to be added. Be sure to check www.discovercaliforniawines.com/d2e)
Bike to Niner Wine Estates during Earth Month
April 1-30, 2012
Time: 10am-5pm
Cost: N/A
Niner Wine Estates
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County
Contact: 805-239-2233
info@ninerwine.com
www.ninerwine.com
Reduce your carbon footprint and bike to Niner Wine Estates during the month of April and receive a complimentary wine tasting and 15% discount on wine purchases.
Earth Month Wine & Cheese Flight
April 1-30, 2012
Time: 10am-5pm, weekends only
Cost: $15 per person
Niner Wine Estates
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County
Contact: Nancy Hoover, 805-239-2233
nhoover@ninerwine.com
www.ninerwine.com
In honor of Earth Month, we are offering a selection of environmentally-friendly cheeses paired with our sustainably produced wines.
Green Trail of Dry Creek Valley
April 1-30, 2012M
Time: 12pm-5pm
Cost: Tasting fees at participating wineries apply
Participating wineries include Montemaggiore, Quivira and Ridge-Lytton Spring
Dry Creek Valley, Northern Sonoma County
Contact: Kyrsa Dixon, 707-433-3250
kyrsa@wdcv.com
www.wdcv.com/green-trail
The Green Trail of Dry Creek Valley is a special, customized experience for visitors to the Dry Creek Valley who wish to experience the area's certified organic and certified biodynamic wineries.
Green with Envy Online Auction
April 1-30, 2012
Time: N/A
Cost: N/A
Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association
Contact: 831-375-9400
info@montereywines.org
www.MontereyWines.org
Several packages featuring tours, tastings and luncheons at several local, sustainable wineries in Monterey County will be up for bid. A one of a kind opportunity to go behind the scenes with winemakers and vineyard managers to learn how this region puts sustainability at the forefront of their vineyard practices.
Earth Day Family Festival 2012
April 14, 2012
Time: 11am-4pm
Cost: Free
BARRA of Mendocino
Redwood Valley, Mendocino County
Contact: Katrina, 707-485-0322
info@barraofmendocino.com
www.barraofmendocino.com
Bring the whole family to BARRA of Mendocino's Earth Day Family Festival on Saturday, April 14th! Join us for a tour of our certified organic vineyard; enjoy complimentary food & wine pairings. Bring the kids for face painting, hands-on interaction with animals from the farm and much more.
Earth Day Food and Wine Festival
April 20-22, 2012
Time: Earth Day Food & Wine Tasting is on Saturday at 1:00 pm
Cost: $75.00+
Pomar Junction Vineyard and Winery
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County
Contact: Kyle Beal Womack, 805-466-2288
kyle@vineyardteam.org
www.earthdayfoodandwine.com
Join us for the 6th Annual Earth Day Food & Wine Festival! Over 200 purveyors of sustainably produced foods and wine will be on hand for a truly unique event.
Cayucos Cellars Down2Earth Wine and Food Weekend
April 20-22, 2012
Time: 11am-5:30pm
Cost: $20 per person
Cayucos Cellars
Cayucos, Paso Robles
Contact: Clay, 805-995-3036
clay@cayucoscellars.com
www.cayucoscellars.com
Get into Nature. Join us for a fabulously fun weekend of pairing naturally made wine and foods. Enjoy the wild wines of Cayucos Cellars and local Organic Foods by Old Creek Ranch.
Farm to Fork Dinner
April 20, 2012
Time: 6pm-9pm
Cost: $175 per person
Tablas Creek Vineyard
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County
Contact: Kyle Beal Womack, 805-466-2288
kyle@vineyardteam.org
www.earthdayfoodandwine.com
Join Tablas Creek's award-winning Winemaker Neil Collins and Founder Robert Haas as they welcome you to their haven with wine and introduce you to their sustainable and poly-cultural farming and winemaking practices.
Gloria Ferrer Celebrates Earth Day
April 20-22, 2012
Time: 10am-5pm
Cost: Complimentary
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
Sonoma, Los Carneros
Contact: Toni Benton, 707-933-1953
Toni.Benton@gloriaferrer.com
www.gloriaferrer.com
Visit Gloria Ferrer and take home a sapling Buckeye tree to plant in your garden. What better way to honor our earth?
TriValley Conservancy Eco Tours
April 21-22, 2012
Time: Tastings: 12:30pm and 2pm
Cost: $10 per person (includes eco-tour)
Free eco-tours twice a day on weekends throughout April
Concannon Vineyard
Livermore, Livermore Valley
Contact: Rochelle Todd, 925-456-2505
Rochelle.todd@concannonvineyard.com
www.concannonvineyard.com
Enjoy a tour of our estate to learn how Concannon Vineyard sustainably grows our grapes, followed by a flight of five Conservancy wines.
Benziger Family Winery’s Earth Day Celebration
April 21, 2012
Time: 11am-12:30pm (tasting seminar); 12:30-2pm (hors d’oeuvres)
Cost: $40.00 wine club members and their guests; $60.00 general public
Benziger Family Winery
Glen Ellen, Sonoma County
Contact: Daniel, 800-989-8890
buywine@benziger.com
www.benziger.com/events-calendar
Earth Day celebration at Benziger with Bordeaux Tasting Seminar and Hors d'oeuvres! Limited seating available.
Celebrate Earth Day Early with Rodney Strong Vineyards
April 21, 2012
Time: 10am-11am
Cost: Free
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Healdsburg, Sonoma County
Contact: Linda Cott, 707-433-0904
www.rodneystrong.com/index.php/visit-us/winery-events
Explore sustainable vineyard practices with Ryan Decker, sustainable viticulture specialist. Walk with Ryan through the estate vineyard at Rodney Strong.
Down to Earth Winemakers Dinner
April 21, 2012
Time: 7pm
Cost: TBD
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Temecula, Southern California
Contact: Concierge, 866-994-6379 x7210
jazminev@coordinexentgrp.com
www.southcoastwinery.com
The South Coast Winery 'Down To Earth Winemakers Dinner' will showcase local fare and highlight fresh produce
from our very own Carter Estate Gardens.
Hike with your Dog through the Vineyard
April 21, 2012
Time: 10am
Cost: $50.00
Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards
Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County
Contact: Kori DeVries, 805-688-9339 x314
kori@zacamesa.com
www.zacamesa.com
Bring the dogs and hike through vineyards with our winemaker, Eric Mosheni who will share our history of the
vineyards and sustainable farming practices. After the hike, enjoy a picnic lunch and wine. Doggie treats and water
provided.
Organic Wine Trail of the Santa Cruz Mountains: Earth Day Celebration
April 21, 2012
Time: 11am-5pm
Participating Wineries include Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, Silver Mountain and Vine Hill Winery
Santa Cruz Mountains
Contact: Mary Lindsay
info@organicwinetrail.org
In recognition of Earth Day, four Santa Cruz Mountains wineries will showcase their certified organic vineyards and
practices with a wine trail on April 21.
Earth Day at Wente Vineyards
April 22, 2012
Time:11am-4pm
Cost: Complimentary
Wente Vineyards
Livermore, Livermore Valley
Contact: 925-456-2300
www.wentevineyards.com/news/event_list/earth_day_celebration/
Join Wente Vineyards on Sunday, April 22, from 11am – 4pm as we celebrate Earth Day! Enjoy great food, wine, information and activity booths.
Earth Day Celebration: Organic Vineyard Tours
April 22, 2012
Time: 11am-2pm
Cost: $10
Yorkville Cellar
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County
Contact: Edward Wallo, 707-894-9177
yvcellars@pacific.net
www.yorkvillecellars.com
Take a tour with proprietors, Edward and Deborah, through our organic vineyards. At noon become a farmer for the day and help release hundreds of ladybugs, they will naturally control unwanted pests.
Earth Day Wine Blending Competition
April 22, 2012
Time: TBD
Cost: Blessing of the Vines Ticket required for eligibility.
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Temecula, Southern California
Contact: Concierge, 866-994-6379 x7210
JazmineV@coordinexentgrp.com
www.southcoastwinery.com
Using the fruit of our South Coast Winemakers earth-friendly labor, teams will be coached on the 'how to's' for creating a one-of-a-kind blend!
J. Lohr Presents: Down to Earth Celebration
April 22, 2012
Time: 6pm-9pm
Cost: $75 per person
J. Lohr San Jose Wine Center
San Jose, Santa Clara Valley
Contact: Lisa Boissier, 408-918-2176
sjevents@jlohr.com
www.jlohr.com/sanjoseevents
Celebrate Earth Day with a sumptuous 5-course vegetarian dinner featuring Middle Eastern fare and paired with J. Lohr wines.
Official Blessing of the Vines and Earth Day Wine Blending Competition
April 22, 2012
Time: 4pm
Cost: TBD
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Temecula, Southern California
Contact: Concierge, 866-994-6379 x7210
JazmineV@coordinexentgrp.com
www.southcoastwinery.com
Not only do our Winemakers exercise eco-conscious winemaking practices, we are the only winery in Temecula to use divine assistance during the growing season!
Quivira Celebrates Earth Day 2012
April 22, 2012
Time: 11am and 2pm
Cost: Free
Quivira Vineyards and Winery
Healdsburg, Sonoma County
Contact: Jana Churich, 707-431-8354 x224
jchurich@quivirawine.com
www.quivirawine.com
Visit Quivira on Earth Day for a complimentary walking tour of our Biodynamic estate. Stroll through our garden, vineyards and cellar to learn about our unique winemaking and our commitment to biodynamics.
SIP & Shuck- Oyster and Sauvignon Blanc Earth Day Event
April 22, 2012
Time: 2pm
Cost: $35-$45
Tolosa Winery
San Luis Obispo, Central Coast
Contact: Katie Noonan, 805-782-0500
Katie@tolosawinery.com
www.tolosawinery.com
Celebrate some of nature’s greatest delicacies during Tolosa’s inaugural Oyster and Sauvignon Blanc Earth Day
Celebration. Featuring the Morro Bay Oyster Company and local farmers.
Journalists requiring further information should contact communications@wineinstitute.org or 415/512-0151.
