Category: <span>Program Announcements</span>
Certificate of Awesome: SIP Smart Seminar
A coyote, winery water conservation, local produce, retail displays, half marathons, and Carmenere wine. These were just some of the fun happenings at the April 11, 2018 SIP Smart Seminar hosted at Niner Wine Estates. We brought together experts to share the latest: Research on Today’s Wine Buyer Winegrowing: Fact or Fiction Water Conservation Essentials Predators, Prey, and Pests Techniques to Cross Train Your Team Rare Varietals Wine Tasting All this to help the participants in SIP Certified learn more about sustainability and how to talk about their great work with their customers. We are... [Read more...]
Get the Calendars to Manage Your Certification
SIP Certified now has two ways to help you manage your certification. Keep your documentation up to date and never miss a deadline. These calendars give you vineyard and winery deadline reminders and plus tips to complete the Standards. Web Calendar - follow the link and click "+GoogleCalendar" on the bottom right to add to your calendar PFD Calendar - download, save or print the year at-a-glance calendar [Read more...]
SIP Certified is Approved to Support Vineyard Owners with New and Required Water Quality Regulations
Third-party organizations will guide owners through the new regulatory process surrounding the Napa River and Sonoma Creek watersheds. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Atascadero, Calif., — The San Francisco Bay Regional Quality Water Board has approved a partnership between SIP Certified, LandSmart and Fish Friendly Farming to help vineyard owners along the Napa River and Sonoma Creek watersheds comply with the new water quality control regulations adopted in July 2017. This partnership announcement allows a variety of third-party programs to assist growers in complying with the new permit. SIP Certified has a long history of regulatory relief throughout... [Read more...]
Cheers to 10 Years!
SIP Certified turns 10 this year and we could not be more excited to share this milestone with all the farmers and winemakers in the program who are dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural environment, treating their employees and community with care, and have sound business practices with a long-term view. Celebrate With Us [caption id="attachment_8062" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Back: Erin Amaral & Scott Williams, Niven Family Wines; Bimmer Udsen, Niels Udsen, & Bob Thomas, Castoro Cellars; Dana Merrill & Matt Merrill, Pomar Junction; Lucas Pope, Halter Ranch; Shannon Gledhill, Hilliard BruceFront: Mark Wolff &... [Read more...]
Get a Sustainable Certification for your Vineyard, Winery, & Wine
Since 2008, SIP Certified has set the gold standard for sustainable winegrowing. In 2008, the program launched with a robust vineyard certification and as of 2017, wineries can also get certified for their sustainable practices. With SIP Certified, applicants can choose to certify their vineyard or winery or both by implementing the rules covered in the Standards. Wines can carry the SIP Certified seal on their label when they are made with at least 85% SIP Certified fruit (estate or purchased) as verified by an inspection. 83% of Americans consider sustainability when buying food.* Your... [Read more...]
NEW Features in the Database
This winter, you will notice some changes in the SIP Certified database. We have been working to save you time by making the database even easier to use. Below are just some of the updates you will see in the coming months. Please contact Beth Vukmanic Lopez | SIP Certified Manager | t: 805.466.2288 | e: beth@vineyardteam.org if you have any questions while we rollout these new features. A complete Database Users Guide is coming soon. Easy access to all documents in the database including the Information Package, list of photos, list of Requirements, and more. Printable inspection... [Read more...]
December Due Dates: Prepare Year End Submissions
Take this month to complete the following. Vineyards Due 12/1 – Renew SIP Certified for 2018 Please renew your certification by December 1, 2017. The renewal application will take less than 5 minutes. Please note that renewal documentation for your 2018 inspection is not due until June/July 2018. Login at https://app.sipcertified.org/ Click Certifications Click Renew (to the right of the vineyard(s) name) Read the instructions Check all boxes, initial and click “Renew My Certification Now” Review your Blocks & Acres and Contact information You are DONE! Due 12/15 – Year End Submissions Note this is... [Read more...]
December Deadlines
Due 12/1 – Renew SIP Certified for 2018 Please renew your certification by December 1, 2017. The renewal application will take less than 5 minutes. Please note that renewal documentation for the inspection is not due until June/July 2018. Login at https://app.sipcertified.org/ Click Certifications Click Renew (to the right of the vineyard(s) name) Read the instructions Check all boxes, initial and click “Renew My Certification Now” Review your Blocks & Acres and Contact information You are DONE! Due 12/15 – Year End Submissions This is for 2017 Certification. Submit via the online database to your... [Read more...]
Grant Awarded to SIP Certified
It is with great excitement that we share with you the news that SIP Certified has received a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture in the amount of $200,000. Funds from this grant award will allow the program and its certified participants to conduct research into the most effective marketing tactics for sharing the SIP Certified sustainable message with consumers. The project will take place from 2018 through 2019 and will be divided into the following stages: Stage 1: Research best practices for retail displays and marketing outreach to improve consumer awareness Stage 2:... [Read more...]
12/5 Water and Nitrogen Use Workshop
Dec 5, 2017 | 9:00am to 12:00pm ADD TO CALENDAR Castoro Cellars | 1315 N. Bethel Rd. | Templeton, CA VIEW MAP Register Calculating the amount of water and Nitrogen applied to a vineyard are important for tracking inputs and improving efficiency. This workshop will include how to interpret soil and water analysis reports and how to calculate total water applied from irrigation, frost protection, and rainfall plus total nitrogen applied from fertilizer, compost, and water. Paul Crout of Vineyard Professional Services will guide participants through the process of calculating total water used and total... [Read more...]