California vineyards and wineries are encouraged to apply for the 2016 California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. Applications are now being accepted at www.greenmedal.org. The California Green Medal is presented by California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers, The Vineyard Team and Wine Institute. More than a dozen regional winery and winegrowing association partners are also involved in promoting the new awards.
California vineyards and wineries that participate in any sustainability program available in California are eligible to apply in four award categories that will recognize outstanding achievement in sustainability:
- Leader Award, given to the vineyard or winery that demonstrates success and innovation in all of the below three areas of sustainable winegrowing.
- Environment Award, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices.
- Community Award, given to the vineyard or winery that is a Good Neighbor & Employer using the most innovative practices that enhance relations with employees, neighbors and/or communities.
- Business Award, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.
“We had stellar applications the first year, and look forward to receiving 2016 applications. The awards provide a terrific opportunity for California growers and vintners to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to sustainability,” said Allison Jordan, CSWA Executive Director.
The inaugural 2015 Green Medal recipients included, Fetzer Vineyards (Leader Award), Benziger Family Winery (Environment Award), Nord Vineyard Services (Community Award), and Trinchero Family Estates (Business Award).
Applications are being accepted now through Feb. 5, 2016. Visit: www.greenmedal.org for more information or to apply. Winners will receive a Green Medal, be recognized in widely distributed communications and honored at an awards ceremony in April in Sacramento.
The second annual California Green Medal is being judged by a panel of wine and sustainability experts. They include: Karen Block, Industrial Relations Manager, Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis; Hunter Francis, Director/Founder, Center for Sustainability in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Karissa Kruse, President, Sonoma County Winegrowers; Allison Jordan, Executive Director, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance; Kelli McCune, Senior Project Manager, Sustainable Conservation; Michelle Novi, Industry Relations Manager, Napa Valley Vintners; Cyril Penn, Editor in Chief, Wine Business Monthly; and Beth Vukmanic Lopez, SIP Certification Manager, The Vineyard Team.
Sponsors are:
- Exclusive Media Sponsor – Wine Business Monthly
- Platinum Sponsor – Nomacorc
- Silver Sponsors CC – Wine Caves, Farm Credit Alliance, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
- Bronze Sponsor – Ag Unlimited
Partnering organizations: Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association, California Green Business Program, Fish Friendly Farming, Mendocino County Resource Conservation District, Napa County Resource Conservation District, Napa Valley Grapegrowers, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, Russian River Valley Winegrowers, Temecula Valley Winegrowers, and Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley.