Many consumers want to buy sustainable wines but are not sure how to find them. SIP Certified shows that you use practices that protect the people and planet so your customers know that their wine was made with care.
We know your customers are looking for wines labeled as “sustainable”. In a recent systematic review of 30 studies, consumers reported a higher preference for ecolabel and social responsibility labels compared to nutrition labels. Achieving SIP Certified gives you third-party verification that your vineyard, winery, or wine has adopted and implemented stringent sustainable winemaking and wine growing standards.
“By putting our sustainability beliefs into practice, we have the ability to educate the consumer on why sustainability should be a decision-maker in their purchases. SIP Certified makes it easy for us to share this message as they are not only a trusted and credible program, they offer a variety of valuable resources for both the consumers and businesses alike” - Fintan Du Fresne, Chamisal Vineyards
“Being Certified Sustainable in the SIP program has really helped us tell the story of the Hope Family Vineyard, especially with distributors and customers who want to learn more about our vineyard practices” - Austin Hope, Hope Family Wines
SIP Certified is a rigorous sustainable vineyard, winery, and wine certification with strict, non-negotiable standards based on science and expert input, independent verification, transparency, and absence of conflict of interest. Certification addresses the 3 P’s of Sustainability – People, Planet, Prosperity – ensuring that both natural and human resources are protected. The rules, called Standards, require a measurable, holistic set of practices addressing habitat, water, energy, soil, recycling, air quality, packaging, pest management, social equity, and business management. Participants document dozens of requirements and implement sustainable practices. Practices are verified through independent records and on-site inspections and receive final approval from an independent advisory board.
SIP Certified evolved from the award-winning self-assessment (Positive Points System) developed by Vineyard Team which helped growers evaluate their sustainable practices on every level, from habitat to water, soil to human resources. After four years of intensive review by viticulture experts and experienced growers, SIP Certified launched its pilot program in 2008 with 3,700 acres of vines between Monterey and Santa Barbara counties. Today, there are over 42,000 vineyard acres in California and Michigan, five wineries, and more than 49 million bottles of wine that have been SIP Certified. Consumers around the world can now find a wide array of sustainably produced wines to fit their needs, budgets, and stylistic preferences.
SIP Certified is proud to stand with other environmental leaders working to preserve our natural and human resources.
When they’re not relaxing on a California beach with their gigantic dogs, Steve and Kim McIntyre are growing grapes and making wines sustainably. For more than a decade, the McIntyres have been active members of SIP Certified...
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Mark Pisoni loves the outdoors. It’s a welcomed attribute when your title is Vineyard Manager at Pisoni Vineyards. Over the years the Pisonis have helped establish the Santa Lucia Highlands as one of California’s top AVAs for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir...
Read MoreJohnny Bierman of Condé Nest Traveler wrote this great article on our beautiful SLO County! Be sure to read Day 2, where he mentions the SLO County Farm Trail, created by SIP Certified winemakers, and regenerative farming businesses.
ReadFebruary is a traditionally slow month for tasting rooms. ReSIProcal February is a way to increase your tasting room traffic, promote camaraderie between brands, broaden the SIP Certified message of sustainability, and encourage guests to sample other SIP Certified wines on California's Central Coast!
ViewSIP Certified strives to provide you with the best resources and tools to help your vineyard and/or winery succeed. As we are constantly evolving our programming, we welcome your feedback!
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