What is SIP Certified?

Sustainability In Practice (SIP) Certified ® is a sustainable certification program for winegrowers and winemakers.

SIP Certified brands use third-party verified sustainable practices so you can feel confident your wine protects the people and the planet.

 

The 3 P's of Sustainability

Certification addresses the 3 P’s of Sustainability – People, Planet, Prosperity – ensuring that both natural and human resources are protected.
 

People

Community involvement, charitable donations, employee development and safety programs, continuing education, and much more are addressed in the program's Standards.
 

Planet

Alternative energy, recycling, habitat conservation plans, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), cover crops, organic soil additions, and responsible irrigation management practices all help to combat climate change and protect the environment.
 

Prosperity

You can't have a sustainable business if you can't sustain the business. That's why SIP Certified members must have annual/multi-year budgets, sales and marketing plans, and maintain legible inventory and production records.
 

“It’s important to me to be a conscientious member of our community. The SIP Certified program is a comprehensive process that demonstrates our dedication to people, our land, and our vines."
 


- Melani Harding, Owner and Winemaker, Bon Niche Cellars
San Miguel, CA

 

Members Uphold the 7 Values

  1. Social Responsibility - Competitive wages, medical insurance, training, and education.
  2. Water Management - Reduced/recycled water in the vineyards and winery.
  3. Safe Pest Management - Introduce beneficial insects, attract raptors, and plant enriching cover crops to keep vineyards healthy.
  4. Energy Efficiency - Alternative fuels and energy sources like solar and wind; minimal tractor usage; enhanced insulation in the winery.
  5. Habitat - Create wildlife corridors and preserve open space.
  6. Business - Ethical practices; treat employees and community with care and respect.
  7. Always Evolving - Evolve as new science, technology, and research becomes available.

 

Promoting Sustainable Winegrowing Since 2008

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, over 43,000 vineyard acres in California, Oregon, and Michigan, six wineries, and more than 63 million bottles of wine 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.



 

Awards

SIP Certified is proud to stand with other environmental leaders working to preserve our natural and human resources.

Aaron Walker

Pali Wine Co.

At the Helm

From a young age, Aaron Walker always remembers sailing as being a constant in his life. He learned early on that sailing provides an incredible mental escape, “Sailing gives you a lot of time to reflect, ponder, and let your brain go. I remember even a

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Tim Snider

Fess Parker

Beats, Wine, and Life

Listening to Tim Snider talk about playing the drums is much like listening to an endurance athlete talk about their sport or a winemaker talk about the nuances of their craft. There’s a balance of physical, mental, and creative forces at work that Tim

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The Latest From SIP

Recent News

Get Certified in 2025
March 14, 2025

Are you farming your vineyard and processing your wine sustainably but don’t have the certification to show it?

Make 2025 the year you get SIP Certified.

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Announcements

Chapter 14 Webinar Recording
October 31, 2024

Chapter 14 is where the practice of “measure to manage” is applied to two of the most important inputs to the vineyard system: water and nitrogen.

But you may find that you have questions when you go to complete this chapter.

In this webinar, Paul Crout, Pest Control Advisor and Certified Crop Advisor, walks us through how to use the Water & Nitrogen Use workbook and addresses common pitfalls to help you successfully complete Chapter 14.

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