Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified is a rigorous sustainable vineyard and wine certification with strict, non-negotiable requirements. Certified vineyards should be proud of their achievement.
July 15 – Documentation, Documentation + Onsite, and Full vineyard inspections completed
- Unless noted otherwise in the Standards, documentation should reflect practices from Dec. 1, 2014 – June/July 2015 (certification year is Dec. 1 – Nov. 30)
- Please note growers are subject to a late fee ($250-$500) for documentation received by the inspector after July 24, 2015
July 24, 2015 – Inspectors submit completed inspection reports to SIP staff
August 7 – The Certification Advisory Committee (CAC) meets to review blinded inspection reports and determine eligibility for 2015 SIP Vineyard Certification
Late August – E-mail notification of vineyard eligibility
September/October – Final certification is granted after payment of applicable fees and completion of the certification agreement (new applicants)
- After certification is finalized, growers receive a certification letter, copy of the completed certification agreement (new applicants), certificate, materials and handouts, and vineyard sign (new applicants)
[December 1 – Renew certification for 2016 through the database]
December 15 – Standards 8.1.1 (July to November pesticide use reports) and Chapter 11 due to inspector
December 31 – Inspectors submit finalized inspection reports to SIP staff