Archives
 
Info Hub

Archives

Sustainability is not a Trend

August 14, 2015

Sustainability is not a trend, it is becoming a cultural shift. - Natural Marketing Institute SIP Certification has authenticated sustainable vineyard farming practices throughout California since 2008 for small and large organizations alike. SIP Certified sets the gold standard for sustainability with independently verified, practice-based rules addressing the entire farm from habitat conservation to air quality; water conservation to energy efficiency; economic stability to care of farmworkers. As demand for eco-friendly products increases with consumers, environmentally aware restaurants, and retailers such as Whole Foods, the SIP Certified seal provides a communication piece letting customers know... [Read more...]


Irrigation System Evaluations Cost Share

August 11, 2015

SIP Certified vineyards must test the irrigation system for distribution uniformity at least every five years by monitoring emitter outflows and pressure differences (Standard 4.2.1). Through a grant provided by PG&E, the Vineyard Team, developers of SIP Certified, will provide a cost share program for Irrigation Evaluations to assess distribution uniformity of irrigation systems. Evaluations will assess a system's uniformity of applied water, determine the causes of non-uniformity, and provide recommendations for improvement based on the protocol developed by the Irrigation Training & Research Center at Cal Poly. Check the timing of your last distribution uniformity... [Read more...]


Earth Day Food & Wine Weekend 2015

August 10, 2015

Earth Day Food & Wine Weekend 2015 The Earth Day Food and Wine Main event delivers a top quality food and wine experience paired with a casual, low-key atmosphere, all while celebrating the passionate people behind a sustainable food movement. Nestled under the oaks at Castoro Cellars in Templeton, California on April 23, premiere entry begins at 1pm, with general admission at 2pm.  Wear your boots, wear your flip-flops. Relax at VIP tables, or enjoy yourself picnic style. Event proceeds benefit educational scholarships for relatives of farmworkers and Spanish education programs of the Vineyard Team. April 22-24, 2015 | Castoro Cellars |... [Read more...]


Cooking for Solutions Make it Sustainable Weekend

August 10, 2015

Learn how easy it is to live an ocean-friendly lifestyle during this weekend of fun culinary experiences at the Aquarium. Celebrate National Seafood Month with us and join celebrity chefs and personalities John Ash, Alton Brown, Sam Choy, William Dissen, Nathan Lyon and Nico Romo for two days of free family-friendly programs, cooking demos and tastings, plus The Party with Alton Brown—a lively, adults-only ticketed bash featuring wine, beer and sustainable cuisine. Activities include: Sustainable Foods Celebration throughout the Aquarium on Saturday and Sunday with tastings Cooking demos by Chef Sam Choy and Seafood Watch Blue... [Read more...]


Second Annual Sustainable Seafood Expo

August 10, 2015

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is hosting its second annual Sustainable Seafood Expo. A showcase for restaurants and seafood purveyors striving to provide smart seafood alternatives with less impact on the marine environment. Come sample seafood, wine, craft beers and other beverages and find out how you can support sustainability in your everyday life. The event is located at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, CA. October 11, 2015 | Cabrillo Marine Aquarium | San Pedro, CA | 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM (PDT)   [Read more...]


2015 SIP Vineyard Certification Eligibility Process

July 17, 2015

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... [Read more...]


Paso Robles Winery Makes Sustainable Changes Due to Drought

July 13, 2015

Sustainability is important to making sure that we have and will continue to have, the water, materials, and resources to protect human health and our environment. "What is Sustainability. " EPA. n.p. n.d. Being sustainable means that we are always striving to to better, always adapting new technology, always evolving with our environment. Sustainability means using science and research to make informed decisions; irrigating when plants need water, fertilizing when plants need nutrients, and communicating best practices with farm-workers and neighbors. SIP Certified farmers have a legacy in their vineyards. A legacy they want to... [Read more...]


Speaking and Pouring at Women In Green Forum

July 9, 2015

The Women In Green Forum has emerged as the premier conference series highlighting women's impact on the environmental industry. From the White House to Fortune 500 company leaders, the annual program features the environmental industry's brightest and most innovative speakers. SIP Certified looks forward to hosting a workshop on sustainability in the wine industry and sponsoring the evening reception with SIP Certified wines. August 26, 2015 | TreePeople Conference Center | Beverly Hills, CA [Read more...]


Due July 15 – SIP Certified Vineyard Inspections

June 30, 2015

SIP Certified Vineyard Inspections should be completed July 15, 2015.  Below are links to help finish up 2015 vineyard inspections. Find Vineyard Inspection Type to determine which Standards to document in the database. Document Vineyard Standards in the Database based on your Inspection Type. Full (Cycle 1) = complete all Standards documentation and onsite inspection Doc + Onsite (Cycle 2 or 3) = complete Standards marked “D” and “D+O” and onsite inspection Documentation (Cycle 2 or 3) = complete Standards marked “D” Vineyards in Cycle 2 or 3 with a Documentation inspection may be eligible... [Read more...]


Vineyard Inspections – Standards to Document & Onsite Inspections

June 5, 2015

SIP is an annually inspected certification. The certification process is a 3-year cycle, with all growers receiving a complete documentation and onsite inspection in Cycle 1. Growers will receive various combinations of documentation inspections, interviews, and onsite inspections for Cycles 2 and 3. The Inspection Type determines which Standards to document and whether there will be an onsite inspection for the June 1 to July 15 inspections. Document the Standards in the database and schedule an onsite inspection (where applicable) based on the following inspection types: Full (Cycle 1) = complete all Standards documentation and... [Read more...]