News & Insights

As tasting season approaches, now is the perfect time to think about how you’ll share your sustainable story with guests, buyers, and followers.

SIP Certified exists to make wine better for people and the planet — and to ensure the wineries and growers doing that work get chosen.

Finding sustainable wine just got easier — help customers find yours.

Today’s wine buyers, especially Millennials and Gen Z, actively seek products that align with their values.

They’re not just purchasing a beverage; they’re buying a story.

• Work on Chapters 2, 10, & 12
• Inspections open March 15
• Scholarship applications open now–Mar 31!
and more!

ReSIProcal February returns, offering wine club members from participating SIP Certified® brands — wines crafted with care for people, planet, and the future — a unique opportunity to experience sustainable wines beyond their home winery.

From hybrid grapes and soil health to AI‑driven climate strategies and market dynamics, last year’s five most listened‑to episodes of the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast offered information listeners can apply immediately in their operations.

Eco-conscious consumers are reshaping the market:

✓ 89% say they’ve changed their buying habits for sustainability
✓ 80% will pay more for sustainable products

In a saturated wine market, standing out is critical. A sustainable certification signals transparency.

As we wrap up another year, we’re reminded that the most meaningful investments are the ones made in people and communities.

For our final Marketing Tip of 2025, we’re shining a spotlight on two members who invest in the wellbeing of their communities year-round.

Since its launch in 2008, Vineyard Team’s SIP Certified® program has recognized vineyards and wineries that go above and beyond in their commitment to sustainable winegrowing. These businesses uphold rigorous standards that protect the people, planet, and prosperity of their business. Today, we proudly recognize the growers who have earned SIP Certified every year since 2008.

Here is the recording for 2025's Chapter 14 webinar, hosted by Paul Crout.

This month's Marketing Tip is a re-share of a tip from January of 2024.

There are a lot of buzzwords today surrounding eco-friendly production..

Read more to find out what's due, how to get help with Chapter 14, and learn how SIP Certified is providing regulatory relief for Ag Order 4.0.

It’s no secret: the increased cost of living is affecting consumers all over the world.

Despite this, 64 percent of respondents in a 2024 study reported environmental sustainability as one of their top three purchasing considerations.

If your brand has a sustainability certification, now’s the time to show it.

At this year’s Sustainable Ag Expo, SIP Certified will honor vineyards and wineries that have maintained certification since our launch in 2008. This special recognition celebrates the deep-rooted commitment to sustainability that continues to shape the future of farming. A press release and photos are included. Please reach out if you'd like more information or help connecting with these longtime members.

Looking to knock out next year’s SIP Certified® continuing education hours for Standard 12.1.1*? The 2025 Sustainable Ag Expo has you covered!

Digital tools have dramatically changed the way consumers discover brands.

With 90% of consumers having used social media in the last 90 days, it's clear that having a strong presence online is no longer optional, it's essential...

By now, you should have received notification of your eligibility status along with your invoice.

If you haven't seen those yet, please reply to this email or reach out to whitney@vineyardteam.org.

ReSIProcal February is a month-long event that gives SIP Certified brands the opportunity to increase tasting room traffic by connecting with sustainably-minded brands and wine enthusiasts.

Running a winery takes a full team effort. From managing wine club emails and planning events to tending the tasting room, scouting the vineyard, and supporting the winemaking crew, there’s always something that demands attention.

Time is limited, but artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help wineries work smarter.

The Certification Advisory Committee is meeting this month to review inspection reports and make determinations on 2025 SIP Certified eligibility.

You'll receive your notice via email from sip-app-no-reply@sipcertified.org. Please check your spam folder if you don't receive anything by Friday, August 22nd.

What does your brand’s tasting experience offer?

In a recent episode of the Sustainable Winegrowing podcast, Dan McCole, Associate Professor at Michigan State University, shares something that may surprise you:

“People aren’t going to wineries for wine.”

Inspections are due in 1 week!

Please log in and check your application for red "!" and yellow "?" symbols. These indicate that an answer is either incomplete or your inspector needs more information.

Summer in the wine industry is a time of high activity and vital decision-making.

Keep sustainability front and center to ensure that your operation meets today's challenges while also supporting long-term vineyard, winery, and business health.

Last week, our Technical Advisory Committee met to discuss two questions that are new to the 2025 standards: Requirement 5.1.5 and Management Enhancement 5.1.9.

The following updates have been made to the 2025 standards.

In June 2025, SIP Certified’s Technical Advisory Committee met to discuss two questions that are new to the 2025 standards: Requirement 5.1.5 and Management Enhancement 5.1.9.

The following updates have been made to the 2025 Standards...

In the world of sustainable wine, great wine starts with great people.

When employees feel valued, empowered, and engaged, they help drive your mission forward. If you can build a workplace culture that supports and uplifts your team, you’ve taken a powerful step toward long-term sustainability and customer loyalty.

Tasting season is fast approaching! It’s time to get your hospitality staff prepared to welcome a range of guests from experienced enthusiasts to first-timers.

But how can you make it a tasting experience your guests won’t forget?

Inspections are due in 9 weeks.

Here's how you can download a PDF of all of the questions you need to answer this year:

• Log in
• Click Get Started
• Click the name of your application
• Click Documents (left)
• Find Your Application Questions

Sustainable farming practices are essential for protecting the environment, improving long-term agricultural productivity, and supporting healthy communities.

In fact, many of the methods highlighted today are shared across a variety of certification programs, from sustainable certifications like SIP Certified to regenerative programs like Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC).

Have you looked at your 2025 application yet?

If you haven't already, now's the time to log in, click through your application, and make a list of the documents you need to supply this year.

The Whale Rock Music Festival is renowned for rocking the Central Coast every year with live music and family-friendly activities.

But the event has an even greater purpose: supporting Templeton High School musicians through the parent-volunteer organization, TIMBA.

Andy Fles, Vineyard Manager at Shady Lane Cellars, wanted to make his fungicide program even more sustainable. So, he set up an experiment that put “soft” materials head to head with his usual program.

While final results are pending, so far, the soft program is keeping pace with the conventional!

When Melani stopped using herbicides at Bon Niche Cellars, she faced a battle with weeds.

She introduced goats, sheep, and pigs who now roam the vineyard, grazing weeds and lending their hands (hooves) in vineyard maintenance.

The animals’ work has nearly eradicated the need for mowing or spraying!

The native hedgerow project at McIntyre Vineyards began as a passion project to help protect monarch butterflies.

Today, the hedgerow thrives with little maintenance, provides habitat for pollinators, helps with erosion control, and attracts more beneficial birds and wildlife to the farm.

Foxen Vineyard and Winery lacks reliable cell service, posing safety risks for their vineyard crew.

To solve the issue, they installed a solar-powered Wi-Fi access point on a telescoping pole in the vineyard.

Now, Wi-Fi calling is available in the upper vineyard bock and worker communication and safety has improved.

VPS expanded their Personal/Professional Development program to encourage employees to prioritize continuing education.

In 2023, the company covered class fees, offered paid time off, and provided regular check-ins for 14 employees who pursued development opportunities.

After discovering their high-salinity water was unsuitable for vineyard irrigation, the team at Our Lady of Guadalupe sought a creative solution. Inspired by farmers who use reverse osmosis, they partnered to design a system for their vineyard.

Plus, the Jose Grass that thrives on their wastewater reduces soil erosion and boosts biodiversity!

Schedule your inspection between now and July 15.

Please note that all documents must be turned in to your inspector by the July 15 due date.

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.

Did you know that regulatory relief is one of the benefits of being SIP Certified?

ReSIProcal February is an opportunity to connect like-minded brands and wine enthusiasts who value sustainability and are passionate about the industry.

This ReSIProcal February, wine club members of nearly 30 wine brands across four California counties and Michigan State visited participating tasting rooms to learn about and taste sustainable wines!

You can glean a lot of information about a wine from the label.

The next time you walk down a wine aisle, you may notice that you feel comfortable with the common terms and symbols like vintage, place of origin, and percent alcohol, but feel some confusion when you see some of the increasingly present ones like natural, vegan, and organic...

SIP Certified prides itself on the rigorous rules and content of the Standards, which outline the farming and wine processing qualifications for certification.

In February of 2025, the TAC met to review Standards Chapters 5 and 6, as well as suggestions from SIP Certified members like you.

There are many ways people interact with your brand. That means there are tons of places to share your commitment to sustainability.

In this Marketing Tip, we’ll explore three places your brand has visibility and how you can leverage these platforms to share your sustainability messaging.

If one of your resolutions is to ramp up your sustainability messaging, let the SIP Certified Marketing Tips serve as inspiration.

Wondering what the hottest tips last year were? We combined statistics from our 2024 podcast downloads and web page visits to bring you a list of the top 5 Marketing Tips of 2024.

Click Read below to learn sustainable vineyard and winery tips for the coming winter season.

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to recognize 5 ways your certification made you the SIP this year.

It’s one thing to be able to say that your grapes are grown sustainably. But to be able to explain to someone what that really means is a different story.

Fortunately for you, there's an easy framework that can help...

Since 2014, the California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards has provided recognition to California vineyards and wineries who are leaders in implementing the three Es of sustainability (environment, economic and social equity) while inspiring others in the industry; highlighting the benefits of participating in a sustainability program.

While the year is nearing its end, there’s still a lot of activity (and work) ahead with the holidays.

This Marketing Tip will give you ideas for a greener holiday season. Use them in the tasting room and at home!

Looking to take the next step in your sustainable wine journey?

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.

Have you ever wondered, “Do third-party certifications appeal to consumers?”

If so, you’re not alone...

Please submit your Year-Ends in the database on or before Dec. 5, 2025.

Read more to learn:

• What's due
• How to submit
• About Regulatory Relief for Ag Order 4.0

As certification season wraps up and harvest is in full swing, we want to take a moment to recognize new and returning SIP Certified growers who show their dedication to sustainable winegrowing through certification.

We often talk about sustainability in the vineyard, but that doesn’t account for the whole picture.

After months of careful cultivation in the vineyard, the grapes still have a lengthy journey ahead. It’s no secret that the journey takes place in the winery.

But what exactly does it take for a winery to be more sustainable?

As a member of a sustainably-minded ag business, you have the potential to shape the way people view our food system.

There is a dramatic difference between how consumers and producers understand sustainability.

While both groups have positive perceptions of sustainable agriculture, the general public has a much more limited understanding of it and even ranked “sustainability” as one of their top four least-understood terms...

Click Read below to learn sustainable vineyard and winery tips for the coming autumn season.

ReSIProcal February is a month-long event that gives SIP Certified brands the opportunity to increase tasting room traffic by connecting with sustainably-minded brands and wine enthusiasts.

Your tasting room is more than just a place to try your wines.

It is also what your guests visualize when they hear your name or see your wine on the shelf. And it’s what they tell their friends and family about when they recall their visit.

Does your tasting room offer a memorable experience?

While most consumers say that environmental friendliness plays a significant role in how they make purchasing decisions, brands’ messaging about sustainability only reaches half of global consumers (GlobeScan, 2022).

Your sustainable story can be shared across any of your communication channels: social media, wine club newsletters, tasting room signage, and so much more.

Wondering what to tell your audience about in your next story?..

The Soil Inventory Project (TSIP) has an offer for SIP Certified properties looking to implement more sustainable practices.

TSIP is seeking vineyards who want to implement regenerative practices and measure resulting soil carbon sequestration.

Please note, the deadline to apply is September 15, 2024.

For your wine club members, is there anything more exciting than delivery day?

Unboxing the latest assortment stirs sweet memories of their last visit and welcomes them once again to connect with your community.

Your wine club newsletter prepares them for the delights ahead. But does it invite them to relish in the social and environmental virtues of their loyalty?

Summer sipping just got more sustainable thanks to the following six wine brands who have certified nearly 105k cases of their latest vintages as SIP (Sustainability In Practice) Certified Sustainable...

Anyone who grows SIP Certified grapes or makes SIP Certified wine in bulk can list their products on the program’s Classifieds so buyers can easily find them.

Shoppers’ sense of urgency around climate change is rising.

While many brands and retailers today are making eco-friendly claims, some chalk up to little more than greenwashing: a marketing ploy designed to make products seem more sustainable than they are.

Because of this, consumers feel that they can’t always trust “green” claims...

Want to improve the sustainability of your vineyard?

The Sustainable Land Initiative (SLI) can connect you with funding to bring your plans to fruition.

Wondering what comes after you've completed your inspection?

By acting environmentally and socially responsible today, we give future generations a healthy place to call home. The actions that you as an individual take, have an impact.

The summer months bring more staff and guests into tasting rooms across the country. Invite your whole team to join in your brand’s sustainability efforts when you practice these 5 Sustainable Tasting Room Habits.

Need to add or update your addresses in the database?

Or, do you want to make sure your certification invoice goes to a specific email address?

This tutorial and step-by-step directions will show you how!

What does it mean to farm sustainably?

Sustainable farming is a collection of practices spanning from water and energy conservation, to soil health and biodiversity, and social equity.

There are so many examples of sustainability in action to point to right outside of your window...

Click Read below to learn sustainable vineyard and winery tips for the coming summer season.

The Blocks, Varieties, and Acres (BVAs - vineyards) and Gallons (wineries) listed in the database will appear on your certification letter this summer to show what you have certified.

These details are also used to calculate your certification invoice.

Read more to learn how to update your BVAs and Gallons so your certification letter and invoice are accurate.

Your tasting room may be the most customer-facing facet of your wine business. This makes it the perfect setting to display your dedication to sustainability.

Provide visual cues to let your guests know that the wine they sip is more than delicious – it’s environmentally and socially responsible.

Get inspiration from this Marketing Tip to share your commitment with your guests in fun, decorative ways.

In this Office Hours webinar, we were joined by Lucas Pope, Director of Vineyard Operations at Coastal Vineyard Services to go over two SIP Certified chapters:

• Chapter 8: Purchasing, Recycling, and Waste Reduction
• Chapter 13: ​Business Management

“Food disconnect” is a term used to describe the average consumer’s lack of knowledge about where their food comes from and how it’s made. When it comes to wine, most consumers only see the finished product in the grocery store or tasting room!

While everyday agricultural practices may feel ordinary to you, these topics are fascinating to the average consumer, who likely has little to no insight into the block to bottle process behind their glass of wine.

This week’s Marketing Tip tells the inspiring Sustainable Story of how Bien Nacido Vineyards’ irrigation team demonstrates diligent Water Management through the use of technology and a growth mindset.

Have you ever been asked “What’s the difference between organic and sustainable?” Or, have you seen farming operations that have both certifications?

In this Marketing Tip, you’ll learn how Certified Organic and sustainable compare, and get some ideas for engaging in a conversation about what your certification means.

In the first three months of 2024, nearly 116k cases of wine embarked on the journey to become SIP Certified sustainable. The applications, submitted by thirteen different wine brands, underscore the commitment of today’s winemakers to offer the market high-quality wines produced through rigorous environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

...

The SIP Certified database is your hub for all things certification. We meet regularly with the tool's developer to work on new features, enhancements, bug fixes, and more.

Learn about recent updates.

Businesses are vital contributors to the communities they serve. Beyond stimulating the economy and creating jobs, many business owners go the extra mile by creating a meaningful philanthropy program. Their efforts profoundly impact facets of the community that need support the most.

This week’s Marketing Tip tells the Sustainable Story of how Oso Libre demonstrates tremendous Social Responsibility through the Por Vida Foundation.

In this Office Hours webinar, we were joined by Kevin Bargetto of Center of Effort and Gregory Gonzalez of Coastal Vineyard Care Associates to go over two SIP Certified chapters:

• Ch 5: Water Conservation and Quality
• Ch 6: Energy Conservation and Efficiency

In this Throwback Thursday Marketing Tip, we’re revisiting the most downloaded Marketing Tip Monday episode of 2023: #178: The Training Your Tasting Room Staff Needs.

SIP Tip: find Episode #178 at vineyardteam.org/podcasts, or anywhere you enjoy podcasts!

We recommend that you work on your certification a little each month to ease your workload… Office Hours webinars will make it even easier!

Read more to access all of the 2024 SIP Certified Standards Office Hours recordings and resources.

Vino Farms, a Lodi-based vineyard management company, is the recipient of the 2024 Green Medal Business Award.

The Lod-based vineyard management company "not only exemplifies a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible agriculture, but also demonstrates that sustainable practices can be synonymous with good business practices."

Click Read below to learn sustainable vineyard and winery tips for the coming spring season.

When asked to define the 3 P's of Sustainability (People, Planet, Prosperity), Prosperity is often the one gives people pause.

But it's such an important leg of the stool!

A business can also extend their prosperity through collaborative efforts with like-minded groups.

For example, Cambria Estate Winery is a Business rooted in women’s leadership. Their team partners with organizations that share their dedication to uplifting and empowering women in an incredibly impactful way.

In this Office Hours webinar, we were joined by Bart Haycraft of Jackson Family Wines to discuss two SIP Certified Standards chapters:

• 1: Conservation & Enhancement of Biological Diversity
• 7: Pollution & Waste

Click Read to watch the recording and get the resources mentioned in the webinar.

Beyond doing good by the environment and your community, your sustainably certified wine grapes differentiate your brand in today’s oversaturated wine market.

But do you know how much of a value-driver your certification really is?

In this Marketing Tip, get insight into the significance of sustainably grown grapes in the larger market from Gregg Hibbits, who has nearly 30 years of experience selling wine grapes.

If your Grapes are SIP Certified, it’s easier now than ever to put the SIP Certified logo on your wine bottles.

Thanks to the latest SIP Certified database feature, you can create a wine application in just a few minutes.

Say goodbye to the days of documents and information getting lost in months-old email threads. Instead, upload everything straight to your application.

Learn how to Apply for SIP Certified Wine today!

Does your staff know what it means to be SIP Certified sustainable?

We created a training module to help your team:

• Learn what sustainability really means in the wine industry.
• Identify 7 specific ways YOUR brand practices sustainability.
• Share this knowledge with your customers to increase sales.

ReSIProcal February is an opportunity to connect like-minded brands and wine enthusiasts who value sustainability and are passionate about the industry.

This ReSIProcal February, wine club members of nearly 30 wine brands across four California counties and Michigan State visited participating tasting rooms to learn about and taste sustainable wines!

Thank you for making this year’s ReSIProcal February sustainable tasting event a success.

Every wine enthusiast has different preferences, behaviors, and levels of investment in their pursuit of great wine. A few years ago, Wine Intelligence identified six distinct consumer segments in the US market and we wondered “how can we tailor a message of sustainability to align with these differences?” ...

In this Office Hours webinar, we were joined by Daryl Salm of Monterey Pacific to go over three SIP Certified Standards chapters:

• 2: Vineyard Acquisition, Establishment and Management
• 10: Fruit Quality
• 12: Continuing Education

Click Read to watch the recording and get the resources mentioned in the webinar.

SIP Certified prides itself on the rigorous rules and content of the Standards, which outline the farming and wine processing qualifications for certification.

Earlier this week, the SIP Certified Technical Advisory Committee met to review Chapters 3, 5, and 11 of the 2024 SIP Certified Standards.

You may be wondering, what do emotions have to do with simple, everyday decisions? It turns out, quite a lot!

In this Marketing Tip, we’ll help you identify how your brand elicits positive emotions, and what you can do with that information.

This February, wine club members of nearly 30 wine brands across four California counties and Michigan State can claim two complimentary tastings at any other participating club’s tasting room. Why? Because these tasting rooms have joined ReSIProcal February!

People today are paying closer attention to the values of the brands they support.

Sustainable winegrowers and winemakers can easily connect with conscious consumers over these 7 values.

The SIP Certified Classifieds makes it easy to buy and sell sustainably produced grapes and wine! We often get calls and emails from brands looking for SIP Certified grapes and wine, so we developed a free, easy-to-use Classified section on our website where members can post their products, and buyers can easily find them.

SIP Certified inspections run on a 3-year cycle. The number of requirements you must fulfill differ depending on your cycle year.

Read more to learn about the three cycle types and what is required for each.

Inspections for 2024 SIP Certified must be completed between March 15 and July 15, 2024.

Do you know how to schedule your inspection?

In this Office Hours webinar, we were joined by Gregg Hibbits of Grapevine Capital to go over three SIP Certified Standards chapters:

• 9: Pest Management
• 11: Social Equity

Click Read to watch the recording and get the resources mentioned in the webinar.

The sustainable winegrowing community is growing!

Its members are here because they believe in the cause. They value our planet and its human and natural resources. They know that through sustainable agriculture practices, we have the power to improve the health of the people and the planet now and into the future.

There are a lot of buzzwords today surrounding eco-friendly production...

If you produce high-quality wines through responsible practices that treat the people and the planet with care and respect, you've probably considered an official Sustainable certification.

Get SIP Certified to join the over 47 thousand acres and 5 wineries certified by the gold standard certification program for sustainable winegrowers and winemakers.

Materials on this list have been flagged by the Department of Pesticide Regulation and cannot be used on certified acres between December 1, 2023 and November 30, 2024. Share this list with anyone making spray decisions at your vineyard.

Your certificates and letters from 2021 forward are available to download from the database.

Do you know where your food comes from?

When it comes to wine, most people only see the finished product: what’s in their glass.

For sustainable wine brands, there’s yet another level to this disconnect - one that actually introduces an opportunity...

Have you considered having your grape growing operation sustainably certified?

In this episode of Vineyard Underground, host Fritz Westover has a conversation with Beth Vukmanic, Executive Direvtor of Vineyard Team, on the impact and importance of sustainability certification programs for vineyards.

Renew SIP Certified for 2024 in five easy steps!

1. Log in to the database.
2. Click Get Started.
3. Click the green Renew button (far right of the table).
4. Check the boxes and initial.
5. Click the Renew button.

In this Office Hours webinar, we were joined by Molly Bohlman, Winemaker at Niner Wine Estates and Craig Macmillan, Critical Resource Manager at Niner Wine Estates to go over two SIP Certified Standards chapters:

• 3: Winery Facility Establishment & Management
• 4: Vineyard Soil Conservation & Surface Water Quality

Click Read to watch the recording and get the resources mentioned in the webinar.

With harvest wrapping up just a few weeks ago, it may not feel like winter is right around the corner! With the shortest day of the year and the cold season fast-approaching, here are some things you can do around your property to prepare...

Once we learned that storytelling helps customers understand your sustainable practices and can increase your sales, we’ve been dedicated to helping you:

• Write your Sustainable Story.
• Teach your team about it.
• Share it with your audience.

Throughout the year, we’ve shared tips on how to integrate your sustainable message into every level of your branding and marketing...

We recommend that you work on your certification a little each month to ease your workload… NEW Office Hours webinars will make it even easier!

Join us next Tuesday, Dec. 12 for our first Office Hours webinar, where we review:

• Chapter 3 — Winery Facility Establishment and Management
• Chapter 4 — Vineyard Soil Conservation and Surface Water Quality

The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations.

Read more to learn where to find information about this grant opportunity.

If you are SIP Certified and want tips on how to complete Chapter 14 (due Dec 5, 2023) or if you want to take a deeper look at your resource use, watch this webinar recording where Paul Crout, Pest Control Advisor and Certified Crop Advisor, walks us through Chapter 14 and the workbook.

SIP Certified is the strictest program of its kind to assess the environmental and social sustainability of vineyards and wineries. With 120 non-negotiable standards that touch every level of the business, achieving SIP Certified distinguishes a brand in the market.

Yet, year after year, we see growers who have stuck with the program for several years because they believe in the meaning behind their certification.

We would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to these five members for their 10 years of certification with SIP Certified...

California vineyards and wineries are encouraged to apply for the prestigious 2024 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards.

Applications are now being accepted at greenmedal.org through Jan. 12, 2024, for the 10th annual awards, which are widely recognized throughout the wine industry.

SIP Certified renewals are due Dec. 1.

Your 2024 renewal is just a few clicks away!

Your wine club members are more than just wine enthusiasts – they’re YOUR WINE’S enthusiasts!

Your newsletter is an opportunity to share your brand’s history, current endeavors, and behind-the-scenes details that aren’t available through other channels.

Read on to learn from two examples from SIP Certified members.

Dec 1: renewal for 2024 SIP Certified due.
• Renew in just a few clicks! Watch the tutorial to learn how.

Dec 5: Year-Ends due.
• Vineyards:
- 9.1.2 Pesticide Use Reports (June - Nov.).
- Ch. 14 Water & Nitrogen Use Reports

When tragedy strikes within the wine industry, the best of the best rally around each other to pick up their friends and loved ones, and find a way to use their network to offer help...

Featured in County of San Luis Obispo 2022 Annual Crop Report

Sustainable businesses know that in order to stay relevant and successful, they must be aware of opportunities to evolve.

Progress begins with investing in our most valuable resource: the People.

There are countless opportunities for individuals in the wine industry to expand their skills and education.

Read on to learn how Talley Vineyards supports all of their employees in their professional development.

Do you need CE hours for Chapter 12 of the SIP Certified Standards?

Every live seminar and online course available through the Sustainable Ag Expo counts toward these hours! Some even offer CCA and DPR hours.

For one day only, SIP Certified members can save $$$ with code SIP2023 at checkout.

In an effort to ease workload during the holiday season, Year-Ends are due Dec 5.

Read more to learn what is due.

Looking for assistance in creating a conservation plan?

Wild Farm Alliance is offering the opportunity for California farmers to work with their staff to create the following types of plans: Beneficial Bird Habitat Plan, Pollinator Habitat Plan, Carbon Farm Plan.

Read more to learn how to get in on this opportunity.

ReSIProcal February is an opportunity for tasting rooms that serve SIP Certified brands to attract guests during this historically slow month.

Read more to learn how it works, and how to participate.

Listen in to Episode 63 of the Sip, Sip, Hooray! podcast to hear an interview with Steve McIntyre of McIntyre Family Wines, who hosts Mary Babbitt and Mary Orlin call "the OG sustainable grape grower and winemaker of Monterey County's Santa Lucia Highlands."

Looking for a fun group project for the upcoming slow season? Grab your team and create a Sustainable QR Tour!

A Sustainable QR Tour is a unique, educational, self-guided way for your visitors to learn about your brand’s sustainable practices.

In this Marketing Tip, we’ll walk you through all of the steps to create your Sustainable QR Tour.

The Sustainable Ag Expo is a two-day seminar and tradeshow that provides an opportunity for farmers, ag professionals, and pest control advisors to learn about the latest in farming research, resource issues, and business trends related to sustainable agriculture. 

With your 2-day pass, you get access to 14 in-person seminars AND 13 online courses (online courses are available October 16 - November 30, 2023).

Nearly 30 years ago, a small group of like-minded grape growers started a nonprofit to guide and educate the industry toward sustainability.

Today, one of the groups’ award-winning programs, SIP Certified, is recognized as the gold standard program for sustainable winegrowing.

A successful business does more than sell a great product. Companies that embrace the Businesses value of sustainability treat their employees and the community with care and respect.

Looking for ways to engage your brand with your community?
Read on to learn how the whole team at Niner Wine Estates is involved in giving back.

In an effort to ease workload during the holiday season, Year-Ends are due Dec 5.

Here's what's due:
• Vineyards:
- 9.1.2 – Pesticide Use (July – Nov.)
- Ch 14 Year-End Water & Nitrogen
• Wineries
- 11.3.4 Winery Noise Testing (every 3 years)

SIP Certified has partnered with Preservation Inc. to save you time by reporting Total Nitrogen Applied (TNA) for Regional Water Quality Control Board Region 3 Ag Order 4.0.

Read more to learn how to take advantage of this regulatory relief, and learn from some frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Now that you have a bank of powerful visuals from last month’s photography tips, this month, we’re going to share how you can use them on your brand’s social media.

This week’s Marketing Tip will make it easy for you to regularly create content that entices, educates, and inspires your audience.

Congratulations on attaining SIP Certified!

Invoices have been sent out, and are due September 20, 2023.

Please make checks payable to Vineyard Team at 5915 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422.

If you need a copy of your invoice, it can be retrieved through the database. Click "Read" to learn how to download it.

If you've been following the SIP Certified Marketing Tips for the past few months, you've probably heard about our latest program: Sustainable Stories.

This free, easy-to-use program was inspired by a question that we’ve all been asked at some point: what actually makes a vineyard or winery sustainable?

Variety is the spice of life! It's crucial to keep this in mind when we look at monocrops like wine grape vineyards.

Protecting and regenerating habitat ensures that future generations have a healthy, thriving planet to call home.

Maverick Farming, a vineyard management company in Santa Barbara who manages several SIP Certified properties, made changes to their tillage practices and noticed several benefits to their habitat.

Welcome to the fifth Sustainable Story from SIP Certified Members: Habitat at Maverick Farming.

Invoices and Eligibility Letters will be sent from no-reply@vineyardteam.org.

Be sure to add that address to your Safe Senders list, or create a contact so we don't go to your spam folder!

Paige Comrie, the wine expert, tastemaker, and photographer behind the popular wine blog, Wine with Paige, has had the pleasure of exploring countless wineries and tasting an array of exquisite wines.

In this blog post, she highlights the remarkable steps Hahn Vineyards and Oso Libre have taken to embrace eco-friendly practices in both their vineyards and wineries.

97% of people start their search for a local business online. When someone looks up your business, what do they find? Are your images and videos up to date? Do you show what makes your brand special? Does your imagery convince searchers to pay you a visit?

If those questions gave you some uncertainty, it may be time to update your imagery!

Next week, the Certification Advisory Committee (CAC) reviews reports and votes on eligibility.

Read more to learn your next steps for 2023 SIP Certified.

Energy efficiency is about using less fuel and energy to perform the same tasks and get the same results. When a business makes energy efficient changes, they combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.

Center of Effort has made several small energy efficient improvements around their winery that compounded to have tremendous expense savings results.

Welcome to the fourth Sustainable Story from SIP Certified Members: Energy Efficiency at Center of Effort.

Click "Read" to see 2023's due dates and eligibility timeline.

Don't forget to integrate the Google Calendar so important dates are automatically added to your calendar!

SIP Certified is looking for a third-party inspector to audit SIP Certified Wine Applications.

Read more to learn qualifications, responsibilities, accreditation process, and how to apply.

The simple yet powerful tool to help you and your staff tell your Sustainable Story – the brand new, 30-minute online training course.

Inspections are due next week (July 15)!

Please note that applicants are subject to late fees ($250-$500) for late documentation.

Inspections are due in 30 days!

If you haven’t already, please work with an inspector to find a date before July 15th to complete your inspection. Please have all documentation uploaded to the database before your inspection.

Please note that applicants are subject to late fees ($250-$500) for documentation received by the inspector after July 25th.

Jean-Pierre Wolff’s innovative subsurface irrigation technology delivers water and fertilizer directly to the vine roots 3-feet underground.

This means that native and noxious weeds with shallow roots can’t access these resources so his vineyard has fewer weeds to manage.

Welcome to the third Sustainable Story from SIP Certified Members: Safe Pest Management at Wolff Vineyards.

In 2018, Marianne McGarry Wolf of CalPoly SLO surveyed 521 US wine consumers to find out if consumers are attracted to display materials at retail locations to learn about wine and sustainable wine production...

Summer is wine tasting season, and it's almost here! Wine tours, events, and the warmer weather are sure to bring many new visitors, eager to taste your wines and learn about what makes your brand special.

Read more for a quick list of things to do during this Season of Sustainability.

Want a quick reference for the 7 Values at an arm’s reach? Sounds like you need the new tasting room table sign!

Just in time for the summer winetasting season, the new signs feature a graphic of the 7 Values on the front, and a QR code to “read this month’s Sustainable Story” on the back.

Do you have multiple properties with the same answers across the Social Equity (11), Continuing Education (12), and Business Management (13) chapters? Create a Management Group to answer them all at once. Watch the tutorial to learn how the Management Group function works, and how to create and use them.

Have you heard from your inspector? If your application needs corrections, your inspector will leave comments in the database. Watch the 1-minute tutorial to see how to review your inspector’s comments.

One of California’s biggest sustainability concerns is water. Shale Oak addresses this critical resource concern by using their tasting room and winery roof to capture rainwater. This water is stored and used to deficit irrigate their 5-acre vineyard and maintain landscaping during the drier months.

Welcome to the second Sustainable Story from SIP Certified Members: Water Management by Shale Oak

As a SIP Certified winegrower, your daily practices embody the 7 Values of the program: Social Responsibility, Water Management, Safe Pest Management, Energy Efficiency, Habitat, Business, and Always Evolving.

Now that you have used the worksheet to identify your own Sustainable Story, we’re going to give you some guidance on how to incorporate it into multiple levels of your brand’s messaging, starting with your website.

Update your application a little each month to ease your workload come certification season.

What to do this month:

• Chapter 8 — Purchasing, Recycling, and Waste Reduction
• Attach your annual waste audit records.
• Chapter 13 — Business Management
• Redact private and/or sensitive information on your documents.
• Ensure your records are accurate and up to date.

Sustainability is all about monitoring and adjusting. Taking the time to plan, measure, and analyze, sustainability initiatives is essential to ensuring progress is being made -- and celebrated!

Since making a pledge in 2021 to eliminate direct and indirect use of fossil fuels by 2040, Tolosa Winery publishes an annual Sustainability Report to feature the incredible progress they are making and describe plans to continue to work toward their sustainability goals.

Did you know that planting a tree can be as easy as enjoying a bottle of wine? It can be when you buy a bottle of Vina Robles’ the Arborist!

Welcome to the first Sustainable Story from SIP Certified Members: Social Responsibility by Vina Robles

If you're going through the process to certify your vineyard, you may wonder why you should take the time to add the logo to the label and certify your wines. The answer is simple: consumers seek easy ways to find and identify sustainable wines.

Visit our Get Certified: Wine page to read more about wine certification, and email whitney@vineyardteam.org if you have any questions.

Employees who are regularly trained and educated report higher levels of motivation, performance, company loyalty, and more.

Yet, almost 52% of employees in the food and beverage industry only receive training when they join their organization. Of those that do receive regular training, only 4.5% receive training about their company’s mission and values (TalentLMS, 2019). This is a huge disservice to both employees and the company!

Update your application a little each month to ease your workload come certification season.

What to do this month:
• Chapter 5: Water Conservation & Quality
• Chapter 6: Energy Conservation & Efficiency

It’s here! The tool that you need to tell your Sustainable Story. Research shows that demand for sustainable keeps growing. This brand new, Our Sustainable Story series was made to help you tell your customers how you take care of the people and the planet so that you can increase your wine sales.

Certification fees are calculated based on your certified acres and gallons. To ensure accurate invoicing, please take a few minutes to review your blocks, varieties, acres, and gallons in the database.

Not sure how? Learn how to make the updates in 3 minutes with our tutorial!

Spring is just around the corner! While Spring around the vineyard and winery may not be the busiest time of the year, it’s actually a time of the year in the vineyard when successful farming will ensure a good harvest come Fall. Click the button below to read our tips for the Spring Season of Sustainability!

Update your application a little each month to ease your workload come certification season.

What to do this month:
• Chapter 1: Conservation and Enhancement of Biological Diversity
• Is it time to update your conservation plan? (Every 5 years)
• Chapter 7: Pollution & Waste
• Have you done your annual hazardous waste assessment?

We know our SIP Certified members are generous donors in the community. Last week, we shared the exciting news about the expansion of the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship (applications are now open!). In the same spirit of giving back, this week, we want to acknowledge some of the ways your SIP Certified peers give back.

All of us at Vineyard Team are honored to be receiving DPR’s prestigious IPM Achievement Award. Each year the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) honors California organizations for their integrated pest management (IPM) achievements. The IPM Achievement Awards recognize organizations and individuals that are leaders in using reduced-risk pest management practices and sharing their successful strategies with others

The most important "P" is the People!

Of the 3 Ps of Sustainability (People, Planet, and Prosperity), People is no doubt the most important one. Without the supporters, partners, and cherished friends in our community, who would be here to enjoy the prosperous planet we are all striving toward?

The updated Prohibited Materials List (PML) is here! Materials on this list have been flagged by the Department of Pesticide Regulation and cannot be used on certified acres between December 1, 2022 and November 30, 2023.

Please share this list with anyone making spray decisions at your vineyard.

Did you miss the webinar? We have you covered! This 15-minute recording will give you a quick history and overview of the program, tell you exactly how to get SIP Certified, give you a quick database tour, and share some tools you may find helpful as you go through certification.

Branding isn’t something you can set and forget – that’s why this week, we’ll go over ways you can manage the strategies you have already put in place.

Update your application a little each month to ease your workload come inspection season (March 15 - July 25th). This month, work on:

Chapter 2: Vineyard Acquisition
- Take pictures of your cover crops before they are removed
Chapter 10: Fruit Quality
- Are you getting the Baker Wine & Grape Analysis Discount?
Chapter 12: Continuing Education
- CE hours can be aggregated across the company.
- Earn CE hours at the Sustainable Ag Expo this November!

We are exposed to an estimated 4,000 to 10,000 advertisements per day. Branding and advertising are crucial to the success of businesses, but the trust that your brand builds with consumers carries a heavy load when it comes to the success of your efforts. Do consumers trust your brand?

We have several tutorials to help you navigate the database. Here are a few of the most popular:

- Find the Documents
- Blocks, Varieties, & Acres, and Gallons
- Find Your Inspection Type

Read more for the link to the entire playlist!

... That searches for sustainable goods have increased globally by 71% since 2016?

Products carrying a sustainability claim have continued growing through the COVID-19 pandemic, capturing a 17% market share during the first half of 2020!

A recent article in El Dorado News-Times by Richard Mason tells the story of Presqu'ile Winery, from its roots in the Murphy family's gathering place on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to its present estate home in the Santa Maria Valley.

"They are making sure the winery is a beacon of sustainability, which is integrated into everything at Presqu'ile, from the soil to the cellar. Their conservation efforts also ensure they continue to be good neighbors by protecting the community's natural resources for generations to come."

Did you know that telling your sustainability story can help you sell more wine? Listen to this 22-minute episode of the Sustainable WInegrowing with Vineyard Team podcast where Craig Macmillan, Critical Resource Manager at Niner Wine Estates interviews Kathy Kelly, Professor of Horticultural Marketing and Retail Business Management at Penn State University about the findings of her recent studies. According to her research, describing specific practices and why there are important not only sets you apart from the competition, but helps to create an emotional connection with your customers, and can even increase their willingness to pay more for a bottle of sustainable wine!

Customer loyalty is built through an alignment of values. Sharing your dedication to protecting the people and the planet through your sustainable winegrowing practices is a great way to connect with consumers on a personal level.

Do you like complimentary wine tastings? Are you a wine club member with any of these SIP Certified brands?

If you answered yes to both of those questions, you can claim your complimentary tastings during the entire month of February!

Update your application a little each month to ease your workload come inspection season (March 15 - July 25th).

This month, work on Chapter 9: Pest Management, and Chapter 11: Social Equity.

Keep reading for more January tips!

People today are growing increasingly environmentally conscious. WWF commissioned global research by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in 2021 (An Eco Awakening) that found that searches for sustainable goods have increased globally by 71% since 2016.

Sustainability is not a trend, it is becoming a cultural shift!

People today are increasingly environmentally conscious. According to Morning Consult's 2022 Sustainability Report: What Sustainability Means to Consumers, when asked about the importance of sustainability in a variety of industries, over 80% of respondents said it's important in the food and beverage industry.

If you haven’t started telling consumers that your business is run sustainably, now's the time!

Renewing your SIP Certified application is quick and easy! Read more to find out how.

Sustainability differentiates your brand! Are you appealing to the growing segment of consumers who are seeking sustainably produced products?

As an added benefit to our SIP Certified members, we team with social media and lifestyle influencers to help promote SIP Certified brands and spread awareness about sustainable winegrowing.

Have you seen 2022's Wine Media Features?

Our last few Marketing Tips focused on showing wine shoppers that your wine is sustainable when you can't be there to tell them by putting the SIP Certified logo on your bottles.

We've gathered all of the Marketing Tips Monday podcast episodes from this campaign in one place for your convenience!

We have put together some deadlines for you to add to your calendar as you prepare for certification this coming year.

The SIP Certified Standards are a living document. The rules are constantly being improved through Peer Reviews (every 5 years), Committee reviews (annually), and grower feedback. You can read the 2023 SIP Certified Standards by clicking the link in this article.

We know your day is busy running your wine business and you wonder if you will have time to get SIP Certified. Completing the Self-Assessment only takes three hours, can be done at your own pace, and helps you know if you are ready to take the next step to certification.

Year-Ends are due on December 15th. Watch the recording of the Chapter 14 webinar hosted by Paul Crout, Pest Control Advisor and Certified Crop Advisor, to learn what these reports are, and how to use the Workbook provided in Chapter 14 of the SIP Certified Standards.

Your sales, marketing, and tasting room staff can’t boast of your sustainability if they don’t know what it is and what it means! Check out these tools and share them with your team to help educate and empower them to talk about sustainability with your clients.

As winter approaches with its cooler temperatures and shortened days, vines go into the final phase of their annual cycle: dormancy. Although their appearance is far from the images of lush, fruitful vines we saw only a few weeks ago, the vines are far from shut down during this season of recovery and preparation.

By attaining SIP Certified, you show that you successfully implement some of the strictest standards in sustainable winegrowing – not every winegrower has what it takes to get SIP Certified. As a SIP Certified winegrower, you can take pride in the knowledge that your practices are proven to help protect the people and the planet.

You are part of the over 46,000 vineyards and 5 wineries that are SIP Certified, and can add your wine to the collection of over 55 million bottles of wine that bear the SIP Certified seal.

We have many tools to help you successfully achieve and maintain SIP Certified.

Read more to learn what they are and where to find them!

Submit Year-End reports to your inspector through the Database.

SIP Certified has some of the strictest rules in the game. We’ve got you covered with several resources to help you with the certification process, as well as keep you up to date with the latest science and research in the field.

Calculating the amount of water and Nitrogen applied to a vineyard is important for tracking inputs and improving efficiency, and is required to maintain SIP Certified. If you are SIP Certified and want tips on how to complete Chapter 14 (due December 15, 2022) or if you want to take a deeper look at your resource use, join this webinar by Paul Crout, Pest Control Advisor and Certified Crop Advisor.

The SIP Certified Self-Assessment helps you efficiently improve your sustainability while being mindful of your business goals.

How will the SIP Certified Self-Assessment help your business?

· Learn the latest science-based practices.
· Review your whole operation in one place.
· Set goals to advance your business.

November is Buck-a-Bottle month for Niner Wine Estates. Every year, Niner donates $1 to a local charity fund for every bottle that is sold in their tasting room and online during the month of November. This year, Niner is donating these funds to the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship.

Wine Industry Advisor recently released a Press Release on the 2022 winegrape harvest season, stating that after a season of curveballs, vintners across the state are expecting a high-quality 2022 vintage.

1. Document your practices by completing the Standards.
2. Schedule your inspection.
3. Maintain your practices through November.

It’s that easy!

Read more for a more in-depth breakdown of the process.

Did you know that over half of the vineyard acres in California are certified sustainable, and more than 80% of California wine is made in a certified sustainable winery?

Growing grapes and producing wines sustainably helps protect the people and the planet for now and for generations to come. Certified sustainable wine producers must continually monitor and adjust their practices to ensure they meet the strict criteria of their sustainability program.

SIP Certified has all of the tools and resources you need to attain and maintain your SIP Certified sustainable status.

Calculating the amount of water and Nitrogen applied to a vineyard is important for tracking inputs and improving efficiency.

If you want tips on how to complete Chapter 14 Water and Nitrogen Use for SIP Certified (due December 15, 2021), watch our tutorial videos.

Still have questions? Please reach out to whitney@vineyardteam.org

From agriculture to brand management and partnerships, and from estate bottlings to nationally distributed retail lines, Miller Family Wine Company has been involved in the winemaking industry since the 1970s. What's next for the Millers? Click the link to learn what Nicholas Miller, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of the company, told Matt Kettmann of Beverage Industry Enthusiast.

"Everything in nature has a relationship with everything else when looked upon with a glaring lens. Mimicking this approach on agricultural lands not only will maximize the benefits of these ecosystem services, but can improve crop quality, yields and overall profitability."

Congratulations on attaining SIP Certified! You have successfully implemented some of the strictest standards in the field of sustainable winegrowing – not every winegrower has what it takes to get SIP Certified. Your certification shows that your winegrowing practices are proven to help protect the people and the planet.

Do you want to get the most out of your SIP Certified status? We are here to help you!

This is the final installment of our Certify Your Wines Marketing Tips theme! Putting the SIP Certified seal on your bottle is the best way to be sure your wine isn't being overlooked when shoppers are out looking for sustainable wines. When wine enthusiasts see the SIP Certified seal on your bottle, they know they are looking at a wine that was made with conscious care for the people and the planet.

But don't take it from us -- here's what fellow SIP Certified members have to say about certifying their wines:

Applications are being accepted for the 9th Annual California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. SIP Certified members have received awards in previous years -- you could be next!

Applications will be accepted through January 20, 2023.

Welcome to the over 46,000 vineyard acres in California, Oregon, and Michigan, five wineries, and 55 million bottles that are SIP Certified sustainable.

Your certification shows that you implement strict, science-based practices that help protect the people and the planet.

So, you want to be a sustainable winegrower but aren’t sure where to start?

SIP Certified includes the latest practices from water conservation to soil quality, recycling to human resources, and so much more! Use the Self-Assessment to learn what it takes to become a certified sustainable winegrower.

Late summer is harvest season for winegrapes on California's Central Coast. Cherish Whyte of New Times SLO recently wrote an article covering several topics of interest for wine producers and enthusiasts in the region, including the surge in sustainable initiatives globally, and nominations for several of Wine Enthusiast's 2022 Wine Star Awards. Did you know that the new SLO Coast AVA is in the running for Wine Region of the Year?

December 1: Renew certification for 2023 (takes less than 5 minutes!)

December 15:
- Vineyards complete Year-End 9.1.1 (July – Nov. pesticide use reports) and Chapter 14.
- Wineries complete 3.1.1 Noise Testing every three years.

Please note applicants are subject to a late fee ($250-$500) for documentation received after January 2, 2023.

Most wine shoppers purchase from retail outlets, whether online or in person. This means that the majority of your wine sales probably aren't coming from your tasting room or even your winery's website, where you have a controlled platform from which to deliver the message of your brand's sustainability. With the search for sustainable goods on the rise, you need a way to let wine enthusiasts know about the sustainability of your wine when you can't be there to tell them.

Since you can't be over the shoulder of every wine enthusiast as they shop for their next bottle, putting the SIP Certified seal directly on the bottle's label will ensure the market knows that your wine was made with care for the people and the planet!

Paige Comrie, OG "wine influencer," photographer, wine expert, and tastemaker behind the hugely popular wine blog, Wine with Paige, gives her take on why sustainability in the wine industry is so important:

At the beginning and end of its journey, wine is an agricultural product. And just like with any agricultural product, there are ways to produce wine in a way that is respectful to the land...

Best management practices, laws, and technology are always changing. Vineyard Team wants to provide the resources you need in order to conduct your agricultural practices in ways that are true to the latest information in the field.

When you attend the Sustainable Ag Expo, you will have the opportunity to attend in-person seminars by top experts in the field of agricultural business, and experienced growers who have confronted challenges and attained successes in viticulture.

Now through December 18th, Hotel San Luis Obispo, a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of San Luis Obispo’s vibrant downtown, invites wine lovers to discover the beauty of the Central Coast during harvest with a host of fall-inspired experiences. They have teamed with two SIP Certified brands to offer guests incredible deals featuring sustainable wines!

February is typically a slow month for tasting rooms. ReSIProcal February gives any SIP Certified Vineyard or Winery with a tasting room the opportunity to increase tasting room traffic by offering their wine club members two (2) complimentary tastings at any other participating SIP Certified tasting room.

Sell some bottles, gain new wine club members, share your message of sustainability, and connect consumers with other like-minded brands who run their wine business sustainably when you participate in ReSIProcal February!

The number of winery businesses has grown, on average, 4.5% each year for the past five years, with over 7600 wineries currently operating in 2022. Among the dizzying sea of wine options, your sustainable certification differentiates your brand!

When wine shoppers pick your bottle from the shelf and see the SIP Certified logo, they can feel good knowing that they are supporting a system of winegrowing that is done with conscious care for the people and the planet.

Through August and September, our Marketing Tips focused on training your staff to talk about sustainability and your SIP Certified status with your wine-tasting clients.

We've gathered all of the Marketing Tips Monday podcast episodes from this campaign in one place for your convenience!

Chantal Lefebvre, owner of WaterFire Vineyards, the first property outside of California to be SIP Certified, was recently interviewed by Jennifer Kiel of Michigan Farmer to talk about the history of their vineyard, and how they have used their sustainable certification to differentiate their business and demonstrate how to grow grapes while protecting the lakes.

Recent studies have shown consumers are seeking sustainable, ethically produced goods and services more than ever before. Being SIP Certified puts you at a huge advantage in the wine market!

Looking for a fresh and hydrating dish to try for your next get-together? Jerry James Stone has you covered!

His Watermelon & Cucumber Salad with Feta Dressing is made with fresh, easy-to-find ingredients and was made to pair with Foxen's 2020 Rosé of Pinot Noir.

With over 140 SIP Certified members, it's no surprise that there are many tried and true methods for keeping staff informed and up to date on matters of sustainability. For this last Marketing Tip in the Train Your Staff series, we talked to a few of our members about how they make the sustainability a familiar and comfortable topic among their sales and hospitality staff.

SIP Certified Certification Letters and Certificates are automatically generated and sent via email upon receipt of invoice payment.

If you're still waiting for your invoice, check your spam folder! Invoices and Eligibility Letters were sent from no-reply@vineyardteam.org.

Congratulations to our 10-year members! Sustainable agriculture is critical in the preservation and protection of the people and the planet, and farmers and producers like SIP Certified members put sustainability at the forefront of their business practices to ensure they are doing their part in protecting these precious resources.

Does your team understand what sustainable winegrowing is? Can they talk with your clientele about your brand's SIP Certified sustainable status? Have them go through the SIP Smart course to learn the basics of sustainability and the SIP Certified Program! It only takes about an hour, and they will come out of the course with a better understanding of what it means to be SIP Certified.

All of your certification documents from 2021 forward can be accessed through the Database.

Log in to get your:

- Eligibility letter
- Invoice
- Certification letter
- Certificate

Through June and July, our Marketing Tips focused on giving you tips for telling the public about your SIP Certified sustainable status via Social Media. We've gathered all of the Marketing Tips Monday podcast episodes from this campaign in one place for your convenience!

Consumers today are growing increasingly environmentally conscious. WWF commissioned global research by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIC) in 2021 (An Eco Awakening) that found that searches for sustainable goods have increased globally by 71% since 2016. If you're not telling consumers that your business is run sustainably, now's the time to start!

SIP Certified is looking for third-party inspectors to audit SIP Certified Vineyard and Winery Applications. Applicants should have knowledge of viticulture/winemaking and experience with auditing.

Did you catch Jerry James Stone's Hot Eco Wines for a Cool Summer segment on the Weather Channel?

Featured in this segment are SIP Certified members Niner Wine Estates, Chamisal Vineyards and Winery, and Zocker.

Invoices and Eligibility Letters were sent out last week from no-reply@vineyardteam.org. If you have been looking for your 2022 SIP Certified invoice, check your spam folder!

The warm summer months attract tourists and locals alike to the beautiful wineries and tasting rooms of popular winegrowing regions. With this predictable increase in consumer traffic in mind, it's a good idea to educate your consumer-facing staff about your sustainable practices so they are prepared to share your brand's values with new and returning patrons while serving up your latest creations.

Baker Wine & Grape Analysis salutes you for your dedication to SIP Certified and is pleased to offer SIP Certified Vineyards and Wineries a 10% discount on all analyses. If you are a current BWGA customer simply let them know and they will update your account.

Baker Wine & Grape Analysis salutes you for your dedication to SIP Certified and is pleased to offer SIP Certified Vineyards and Wineries a 10% discount on all analyses. If you are a current BWGA customer simply let them know and they will update your account.

SIP Certified is looking for third-party inspectors to audit SIP Certified Wine Applications.

If you are interested in becoming a third-party wine auditor or know someone who is, please send a CV to whitney@vineyardteam.org.

Your brand's website is an excellent hub for consumers to find your brand's core information, such as your address, hours of operation, menu, shop, history, and awards. But what can you to do connect with your loyal supporters in their daily lives? Regularly post on social media, of course! There are various social media platforms, each suitable for different types of content.

The SIP Certified standards undergo a peer review by representatives from the university and extension system, state and federal agencies, agricultural professionals, and environmental and social organizations every five years.

We are offering our members the opportunity to be featured by several social media influencers this year in an effort to spread awareness of SIP Certified and the good work of those who produce high-quality wines through practices that help protect the People and the Planet.

Check out our latest collaborations!

Who doesn't love a grilled cheese sandwich? With only 15 minutes of prep time, this leveled up version of the beloved classic is sure to become a new favorite. And since it's a sheet pan recipe, you can make many at once!

This recipe was created by Jerry James Stone to pair with Rava Wine's 2018 Grenache Rose.

If your inspector needs more documentation for your Standards, they will leave notes in the database.

Read more to learn how to review your inspector's comments.

Are you looking for a recipe to pair with a bottle of Pinot Noir?

Jerry James Stone has created the perfect recipe to pair with Ron Rubin's 2019 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir: Seared cornmeal polenta medallions with slow-roasted heirloom cherry tomatoes, homemade arugula pesto, and crème fraîche.

Our members and inspectors have asked for more time to complete inspections, so this year, we have expanded the window for inspections to March 15th through July 15th.

Please note applicants are subject to a late fee ($250-$500) for documentation received by the inspector after July 25, 2022.

Social media has changed the way consumers and businesses interact. It not only provides convenient two-way communication between us as consumers and the products and services we support, but it has opened the door for consumers to participate in the marketing and messaging of these brands by creating their own content showing off their latest finds to friends, family, and communities.

Are you making the most out of your social media efforts?

Update your blocks and acres so there is an accurate record of what is getting certified for invoicing and wine certification.

The Internet has become an integral part of our lives - we use it every day to stay informed, plan for the future, pass the time, and so much more. Perhaps most remarkably, it has enabled us to connect with others at a speed and on a scale unfathomable to people of the not-so-distant past. The role social media has played in this broad expansion of human interaction cannot be understated. Read more about our 5 Social Media Tips.

Did you know we offer aggregated per-acre and per-gallon licensing fees for properties with the same owner?

Attention California Ag Producers: The USDA Rural Energy for America Program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy-efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

Applications for the USDA REAP program are open until October 31, 2022

Update your blocks and acres so there is an accurate record of what is getting certified for invoicing and wine certification.

@theMillennialSomm recently teamed up with Kristen McIntyre of McIntyre Vineyards for #TastingThursday. They talked SIP while sipping on McIntyre's 2018 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir.

The pandemic changed many things about our daily rituals, not least among them being the way we shop and the businesses we choose to support. Wine Club memberships and various online channels continue to offer consumers easy ways to stock up on a selection of wines curated to their unique preferences, but the consumer mindset has evolved since the onset of the pandemic, and so have their subscription decisions! Read more about the 3 Subscription Models that have emerged based on these changes.

Update your certification a little each month to prepare you for your March 15 - July 15, 2022 inspection. Read on to see the two items we recommend you update this month.

Summer is approaching! Sustainability efforts ramp up during these warm months in order to conserve energy and keep crops on a healthy path to harvest. Check out our Seasons of Sustainability tips to prepare for the change in season.

The eighth annual California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Award winners were announced today. Presented by several California wine organizations devoted to sustainability, four Green Medals have been presented in the following categories: Leader, Environment, Community, and Business.

More Americans than ever are making environmentally conscious decisions when it comes to the products they buy and the businesses they support. Consumers want to support brands that share their values and take action to preserve the health of the planet. It's important to let them know that your brand protects the people and the planet!

In this post, we go over how other SIP Certified brands are sharing their sustainability efforts with the public.

In this article posted on April 14th, Dave McIntyre of the Washington Post talks about what is covered by the different eco-friendly certifications in the wine industry.

This article from Wine Industry Advisor highlights the Down to Earth Month winery events that wineries and regional associations across California will be participating in to show their enthusiasm for the Earth, and sustainability.

It’s evident that conveying your brand values on your label is crucial to stand out on the shelf. Grab customers in that split second when they look at labels since you can’t be there to talk in detail about your sustainable practices.

To make a lasting impact on UK trade, media, and consumers the California Wine Institute Export Program is creating a Wall of Sustainable Wine to illustrate the scale and scope of California's commitment to sustainability and to highlight a wide range of California wineries that are sustainably ce

If you would like to have your brand or brands considered for inclusion in this display, please fill out the form, linked in this post, by Monday, April 18th.

Looking for the latest viticulture and technology from the world's top experts? The Sustainable Ag Expo brings together researchers and growers so you can earn continuing education hours and improve your business all while connecting with peers and agriculture companies.

Update your certification a little each month to prepare for your March 15 - July 15, 2022 inspection. Read on to see what we recommend you update this month!

Include this information about SIP Certified in your next wine club email or shipment! Your members will enjoy hearing about the good work you're doing to care for the people and the planet.

Use our Earth Month tips to talk about your commitment to the planet during the month of April.

Every five years, the SIP Certified Standards undergo a peer review by representatives from the university and extension system, state and federal agencies, agricultural professionals, and environmental and social organizations. These experts are asked to review the Standards chapters and provide their feedback via comments and questions.

The 2023 SIP Certified Standards peer review was completed in February 2022 by fifteen experts in the field, and the Technical Advisory Committee reviewed the comments in March 2022.

Christy on the Vine brought Pisoni Vineyards' 2019 Lucia Pinot Noir and McIntyre's 2019 SLH Chardonnay to the Monterey Bay to soak in the sun and appreciate these two Santa Lucia Highlands SIP Certified sustainable wines.

In 2021, Dustin Tran and Nicholas Lawrence Babin of California Polytechnical Institute conducted a survey of 91 vineyard managers in the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area. The aim of their study was to assess the level of, and barriers to, adopting six irrigation efficiency best management practices (BMP).

"There was a clear relationship between BMP adoption and the vineyard and vineyard manager characteristics included in the study." Of the vineyards assessed, 20 were SIP Certified, and the remaining 71 were not.

If you are adding more acres or increased capacity at your winery, your inspection type may change...

Do Point of Sale (POS) materials matter? That’s just one of the questions the Vineyard Team (developers of SIP Certified) wanted to answer during our two years of research under a grant from the CA Department of Food and Agriculture.

Consumers have a plethora of options when it comes to wine sales channels. It's crucial to differentiate yourself in the market! Leverage your commitment to sustainability to make your brand stand out in a crowded marketplace and speak to the growing trend of consumers opting for brands and products that have sustainable practices and values.

In this Marketing Tip, we will discuss three avenues where you can promote the message of your sustainability.

Congratulations to Pisoni Family Vineyards! The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) recognizes their innovation and commitment to adopting safer, more sustainable pest management practices by awarding them the 2021 IPM Achievement Award.

Our #1 tip for this month: select a specific date between March 15 and July 15 for your inspection.
Also included in this post are two items we recommend you update this month in preparation for your inspection.

Consumers continue to prioritize their health and wellness as we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. But consumers’ health needs have evolved beyond the basics of physical well-being...

Keep your documentation up to date and never miss a deadline! We have created a calendar of vineyard and winery due dates and tips to help you complete the Standards.

Recent studies have shown consumers are seeking sustainable, ethically produced goods and services more than ever before. And 66% of those consumers identify sustainable wines by their label and POS materials.

Capture consumer interest in sustainability by adding the SIP Certified logo to your wine labels, or promoting your SIP Certified status through POS materials!

Our members and inspectors have asked for more time to complete inspections, so this year, we have expanded the window for inspections to March 15th through July 15th.

In this Marketing Tip, we will address what Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z care about most when selecting their next bottle of wine.

Here is the recording for the February 2, 2022 How To Get SIP Certified webinar event.

Update your certification a little each month to prepare for your March 15 - July 15, 2022 inspection. Read on to see what we recommend you update this month!

Have you or a member of your staff had a customer ask what your SIP Certification means? It covers many aspects of your business, and it can be difficult to know where to start! That's why we went straight to the source and asked tasting room and marketing professionals how they communicate SIP Certified practices to their customers.

Johnny 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.

Wondering how the new AG Order 4.0 requirements impact your vineyard? Sara Lopez with Central Coast Water Quality Preservation, Inc reviews the requirements, new Third-Party programs, and how these all relate to grape growers so you can maintain compliance.

Have you or a member of your staff had a customer ask what it means to be SIP Certified? It covers many aspects of your business, and it can be difficult to know where to start! That's why we went straight to the source and asked tasting room and marketing professionals how they communicate SIP Certified practices to their customers.

SIP 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!

If your vineyard is in Regional Water Quality Control Board Region 3, here is the latest information from Presentation Inc. on how to maintain compliance with Ag Oeder 4.0 through your membership with Presenvation Inc.

Join us for this educational event at Chamisal Vineyards. Learn the science and management of increasing salinity in a drier climate, and earn Continuing Education hours: CCA: 2 S & W

February is traditionally a 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! Joining is as simple as sending an email saying you'd like to participate.

Whether you are new to managing the program or a veteran, this webinar will show you how to use the database and review important deadlines to help you successfully achieve SIP Certified for your vineyard, winery, and wines.

We have put together 6 SIP Buzzwords to introduce to your consumer-facing staff to use as talking points during tastings, phone calls, emails, or any other sales interaction. These words can be used as jump-offs to a larger conversation relative to your sustainable practices, or just serve as conversational anecdotes when faced with questions about your involvement in SIP Certified.

After two years, we are excited to bring back the very popular ReSIProcal February -- a month-long event created 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!

Does everyone in your company know about SIP Certified and its impact on your wines? If not, we need your help. A growing number of consumers say that given a choice they prefer wines that are produced sustainably and ethically. The SIP Certified logo is a powerful marketing tool that communicates your commitment. It can also boost sales and enhance your image.

Applications are now being accepted for the 8th Annual California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards!

As a SIP Certified member, you are eligible to apply in four award categories that recognize your outstanding achievement in sustainability...

Update your certification a little each month to prepare for your March 15 - July 15, 2022 inspection.

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 so your customers know that their wine was made with care.

Did you know 83% of Americans consider sustainability when buying food? Sustainability is not a trend, it is becoming a cultural shift. When your customers ask about sustainable wines, they can rest assured that SIP Certified shows your dedication to responsible practices from the soil to the bottle. Here are three ways certification brings value to your good work:

SIP Certified sets the bar for sustainability with strict requirements that help you measure your environmental, social, and community impact while assuring your consumers that the product in their bottle was made with conscience and care. But don't take it from us...

Here are 5 ways the SIP Certified Sef-Assessment will help your business.

Get a jump start on 2022 certification by reviewing and updating a few chapters this month. Don't forget to share the Prohibited Materials List with anyone making spray decisions.

So, you want to be a sustainable winegrower but aren’t sure where to start? SIP Certified includes the latest practices from water conservation to soil quality, recycling to human resources. Join the thousands of winegrowers who have already completed the self-assessment. Learn what sustainable practices you are already doing and consider any practices that you are not doing to see if there are things you would like to implement this year.

As the holiday season approaches, it is the perfect time to produce content that speaks to popular holiday activity; food and wine pairings. Whether it’s creating recipes yourself, partnering with local chefs, or tapping your followers for suggestions, having a food element in your communication strategy speaks to the lifestyle of foodies and oenophiles alike.

SIP Certified’s Seasons of Sustainability calendar reminds us all of the tasks at hand during these winter months and that keeping your vineyard and winery sustainable never takes a rest. These kinds of practices are important in your certification and worth sharing with your consumers to tell that block-to-bottle story. Use these activities to create blog posts, social content, and tasting room talking points. It’s this type of content that captivates and educates.

It is a very healthy business practice to create a year in review. This not only tracks your peaks and valleys, but allows for great perspective while planning for the next year. Sharing your year in review with internal staff and stakeholders also provides increased employee engagement and participation in overall company goals.

We know your day is busy running your wine business and you wonder if you will have time to get SIP Certified. Completing the Self-Assessment takes less than three hours and helps you know if you are ready to take the next step to certification. To attain certification, you will need to implement and document all Requirements, earn at least 50% of the Management Enhancements Points, and complete the documentation and onsite inspection by July 15.

When a consumer is on the wine aisle their decision-making process can be daunting. Aside from the consumer’s personal experience with brands, regions, and varietals, it’s becoming apparent that their values are playing a huge role in purchasing decisions. It’s evident that conveying your brand values on your label is crucial to stand out on the shelf.

There are only two SIP Certified items you need to complete this December!

Why not serve a little wine with breakfast? This sparkling rose from Riverbench pairs perfectly with Huevos Rancheros Tostadas. Jerry James Stone includes a great tip on how to ripen avocados.

When developing a brand, one of the most fun and important aspects, often overlooked, is creating a style guide. Consistent branding across all marketing channels from the bottle label, website, and other marketing collateral is an integral part of your brand’s framework. From the style of font you use to your logo positioning, and color schemes, all of these should be mapped out accordingly to keep your business “on brand.” With a sustainable business, having the guide alleviates unforeseen branding costs and lays the groundwork for a lasting, iconic brand.

Jerry James Stone's cherry tomato storage tip: keep them somewhere cool, away from direct light and they will last an easy 10 days. You can story them in the refrigerator but just for a few days before the texture changes. He is pairing this toast with a great Syrah from Baileyana.

SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certified recently welcomed over fifteen new properties to its family of sustainably certified vineyards and wineries. The new members span Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Kings County and join nearly two-hundred and fifty other SIP Certified businesses across California and Michigan.

There is no time like the present to certify your wines sustainable. Here are two important stats you should know...

If you love to drink pink, try a dry rose with salads and sandwiches. Pair your sweeter roses with melons, strawberries, and citrus. Today's recipe features CRU Rose and a delish toast loaded with goat cheese, avocado, and strawberries - what a way to kick off a meal. Our favorite part is Jerry James Stone's hack for cutting strawberries.

NEW feature: You can access all of your certification documents right in the database.

Two classic appetizers in one! Creamy and tangy spinach and artichoke dip stuffed inside roasted savory mushrooms with a crunchy topping. Pairs perfectly with a Pinot Noir.

Fair Trade, Organic, Sustainable… the list of product labeling consumers are faced with is growing and the question is, “Do they care?” The good news is, the answer is a resounding “YES”. Seeing products on shelves labeled “sustainable” is an increasingly desirable attribute for consumers. These kinds of labels, better known as “ecolabels” in the marketplace, are almost the norm for most CPG (consumer packaged goods) products looking to stand out on the shelf.

As we all move towards a sustainable future for our brands and products, it’s important and rewarding to look at statistics indicating that our hard work is paying off. Looking at data across the sustainable landscape shows changing consumer behavior and overarching trends in an array of categories similar to wine. The good news is that sustainable messaging is resonating with consumers across market sects and is slowly becoming an expected norm.

A letter from Beth Vukmanic, Program Director, to all of our SIP Certified Members: As you likely already heard, Kris Beal, our Vineyard Team Executive Director since 1998, is retiring at the end of the year and we are thrilled for her to move into the next chapter. Starting January 1, 2022, I am very honored to step into the role of Executive Director at Vineyard Team.

Here is quick overview of the rest of the year for SIP Certified as you prepare for harvest.

It is no secret that over the last year and a half, online sales numbers in the wine sector have jumped through the roof. There are a number of sustainable ways to sell wine online without overextending your staff, maintaining brand consistency, and most importantly; growing your audience.

Fall is a special time in wine country with the coming of harvest season and fall wine club shipments. It’s a time to remind your club members, mailing list subscribers, and other followers who you are as a brand and highlighting your brand attributes like sustainability.

Our social media influencer campaigns continue to be an incredible way to educate consumers about the benefits of purchasing SIP Certified wines. These fun wine posts help distill the messaging of sustainability down to digestible language. Here are the latest highlights on our Member wines.

In our second installment of email marketing tips from expert marketer Erica Walter, we explore strategies, cadence, and metrics. With any email marketing program, it’s important to set goals and measure them. Walter walks through some applicable methods when it comes to planning your email marketing.

SIP Certified recently partnered with Sheila Kearns Chocolates in San Luis Obispo to create pairings for a few SIP Certified wines. Kearns’ chocolates are in step with the tenets of SIP Certified as they are ethically sourced, organic, and in eco-friendly packaging. It was a blast to work with Sheila on these pairings and an absolutely delicious pairing.

Thank you for your dedication to sustainability! Research shows the Trade want sustainable wines. We can help you market your good work.

Winners announced for the seventh annual California Green Medal in Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership. Read along to learn how SIP Certified Trinchero Family Estates earned the 2021 title of Sustainable Winegrowing Business and learn more about practices they use daily to promote sustainability throughout their vineyards.

Erica Walter is an email marketing maven with a long career history in the wine industry. Her solutions for email campaign strategy are approachable, actionable, and most importantly, measurable. We sat down with Erica to talk about email, strategy, growth, and communication.

SIP Certified eligibility timeline for vineyards and wineries.

Just a short drive off Highway 46 West lies the beautiful, sustainable oasis of Shale Oak Winery. Known throughout the area for its award-winning, small batch wines, the winery’s tasting room has become one of the top destinations for wine lovers visiting the Paso Robles wine region.

In an effort to broaden brand awareness for SIP Certified, we engaged social media influencers in Q1 and Q2 of 2021. These campaigns were an incredible way to educate consumers about the benefits of purchasing SIP Certified wines and helped destill the messaging of sustainability down to digestible language via Instagram influencers. While the concept of working with influencers may sound intimidating to some, we can assure you that with clear goals and succinct calls to action, the process is super rewarding and for DTC sales can be very lucrative.

NEW database feature! Update the name on your certificates.

If your inspector needs more documentation for your Standards, they will leave notes in the database.

Summer in wine country brings a wave of tourists, heat, and the impending excitement of harvest on the horizon. Sustainability efforts ramp up during these warm months in order to conserve energy and also keep crops on a healthy path to harvest. This is an excellent time to educate your tourists.

When Beth Vukmanic came on the podcast, I was certain we'd talk only about her work with the Vineyard Team, an organization based in Atascadero, California that promotes sustainable winegrowing throughout the U.S. But Beth surprised me with all her many special fun facts: she was born in a moving VW Rabbit on a freeway in Detroit, she plays the harp professionally, and — here’s the biggie — she is a fitness superstar. No really.

Please review your inspector's comments as they audit your vineyard and/or winery and make updates by July 15.

According to a recent study, Americans are planning on travelling more than ever this summer and are opting for road trips and weekend getaways. With stops in wine country, these travellers are looking for feel good experiences and educational tastings. Training staff and using the learnings of the SIP Smart course will not only aid staff in educating guests, but also provide experiences that convey your brand’s commitment to sustainable practices.

Sometimes, it’s difficult to know which wines are natural and/or sustainable unless you do the research. (Lucky for you, I’ve already done a bunch of research and there will definitely be a newsletter about How-To Natty Wines). But until then, a great resource to use is SIPcertified.org. Their website lists all the wine companies, vineyards and wineries with their certification so you can easily reference sustainable wines.

Find out which type of inspection to prepare for at your vineyard and winery and contact your inspector to select a specific date between June 1 and July 15 – for all inspection types.

Shipping wine is an aspect of winery operations rife with opportunities for sustainable solutions. From eliminating styrofoam from your packaging materials, to providing consumers with gentle reminders to recycle shipping boxes, instituting a sustainable mindset in this part of your business is a fantastic way to minimize your footprint as well as educate consumers on how they can do their part.

SUTTON’S BAY, MICHIGAN – The team at Shady Lane Cellars is preparing for its busiest summer season yet. And they want all who open a bottle or fill a glass with Shady Lane Cellars wine to know it was cultivated with a conscience.

Winemaker Kasey Wierzba, Vineyard Manager Andy Fles and General Manager Rick DeBlasio believe in the wine they make at this Leelanau Peninsula destination. Their sustainable practices are deeply imbedded in winemaking and were recognized when Shady Lane Cellars earned SIP – Sustainability in Practice – certification for its Michigan vineyard last fall.

Call or email your inspector to select a specific date between June 1 and July 15 – for all inspection types.

Your suitability is a part of your story and in this webinar we had two incredible presenters give social media tips on how to share the stories of the people making and enjoying your wines. As consumer demand for sustainably produced products grows, SIP Certified shows that winegrowers use practices that protect the people and planet so their customers know that their wine was made with care.

There is nothing like a consumer getting lost in a wormhole of videos and engaging with your brand. Before you get nervous about video production costs and hiring a crew; look no further than your all powerful smartphone and the myriad of easy to use editing software available.

With Earth Day right around the corner, Adam Monteil is highlighting Paso Robles producers who are walking the walk to be sustainable and make world class wines. Learn what it means to make wine sustainably with Beth Vukmanic, Program Director of SIP Certified then about the great work going on a local wineries Niner Wine Estates with Andy Niner and Vina Robles with Kevin Willenborg

It is no secret that in recent years, wine consumers' level of education and understanding of complex production methods, terroir, and varietal knowledge is steadily increasing. Questions about tasting notes and food pairings are less likely to be heard and inquiries relative to farming, harvesting, and production are taking precedence over the more casual winespeak. Here is a glossary of terms you will likely be asked about by your customers.

SIP Certified sustainable is a certification program providing third-party verification that your vineyard, winery, or both has adopted and implemented stringent sustainable winemaking and wine growing standards based on the best practices. These the below steps help you get started with program.

For Midwest winemakers, higher temperatures mean more opportunities to grow different grape varieties — but bring a new slew of challenges. Grape growers in the Midwest — Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin — are largely spared from the raging wildfires that threaten vineyards on the West Coast. But they do have to navigate how the region’s increasingly erratic weather patterns and changes in the environment will affect their product — the timing of ripening, alcohol content, acidity, and even the color of the wine.

It’s evident that conveying your brand values on your label is crucial to stand out on the shelf. 

Beth Vukmanic Lopez joins the Craft & Cluster podcast to talk with us about why communicating your sustainability in your marketing is important in ensuring your brand’s economic sustainability. Beth even lists a few resources on HOW to communicate your sustainability in your various marketing channels!

The Footprint Drinks Sustainability Awards is the barometer for sustainability and responsible business practice for the drinks industry and represents the annual celebration of businesses and individuals making a difference to sustainability in the on-trade drinks sector and its supply chain.

“The SIP program assesses the big picture,” Mark (Pisoni) notes. Its integrative “block-to-bottle” approach uses independent, measurable scientific standards to assess relationships between winemakers, workers, and the environment. (Sustainability) is a principle which, put into practice, involves hundreds and hundreds of decisions annually and an unceasing effort to gauge how the sum of small, daily choices affects the complex, vital relationship between the land and the people who live and work upon it.

Content creator and social media maven Heather Daenitz puts it simply on her website, “I get it, social media marketing is a beast. Between hashtags, algorithms, and trying to figure out exactly what to post, it's a lot easier for you to just ignore it.” She will also be the first to tell you to do the exact opposite and dive into social and the vast possibilities it holds for your brand. The numbers don’t lie when it comes to social and it’s more important than ever to be where your customer is.

As a third-generation farming family, Chad and Lauren Rava were looking for a different approach to growing grapes and producing wine when they established Rava Wines. Stepping away from corporate wine grape growing they built their winery in the El Pomar District a sub appellation in the Paso Robles AVA, where they enjoy a simple way of life while raising their family and running their business.

MyNorth is here to help you eat, drink, ski, hike, and explore Northern Michigan. An added bonus to Northern Michigan food and drink tours? Many offer opportunities for outdoor excursions either onsite or close by. One of the favorites included in a recent article is SIP Certified Shady Lane Cellars.

Dedicated to blending untraditional and exciting flavors together, Smashberry seeks to smash old paradigms and establish bold new ones with their line-up of fruit-forward wines from the Central Coast. Staying true to Smashberry’s roots in blends, the 2019 Smashberry Chardonnay is a lively blend of Chardonnay and Viognier, sourced from SIP Certified vineyards in the Paso Robles appellation.

In recent years, Paso Robles quickly became a top wine region in California. Equidistant from Los Angeles and San Francisco, the once bucolic town is now a popular destination for food and wine drinkers alike. With more acres of vines going into the ground, the need for sustainable farming was apparent and SIP Certified has worked with a number of Paso Robles area wines for over twenty five years to ensure the land can be farmed for years to come.

As the first self-assessment for sustainable vineyard farming, SIP Certified was designed by growers for the wine industry. Today, SIP Certified is still rooted in its original mission of helping growers and winemakers implement the best possible practices.

Vineyard and winery certification tells the block-to-bottle story and it’s important to tell people about what happens from farming to sipping. While Spring around the vineyard and winery may not be the busiest time of the year, it is in many places, the most beautiful. Vintages take shape in the spring and it’s an exciting time to share with consumers across all of your communication channels as well as stories for your sales teams to share.

For those of us who go to great lengths to  make sure our food is safe, why not do the same for wine? There are hundreds of wineries in the US ditching chemicals in favor of sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Consumers can easily buy organic, biodynamic, and SIP Certified wines in most bottle shops, but seldom know what these certifications really mean. Clear and concise explanations of these clean-wines are hard to come by. I wanted to know what “clean” wine was all about.

Adding Acres? Increased Capacity? Learn what you need to do.

Jerry Greenfield of the Florida Weekly addresses how farmers are deeply concerned about the land that provides their living. More and more, winemakers and the people who grow their grapes have been moving toward more sensible, sustainable agricultural practices.

Besa mi vino – a new, clean and sustainable wine brand that is Certified Organic, Vegan, Gluten free, with zero grams of sugar and low in sulfites. We are one of a small group of wine brands that are SIP Certified (Sustainable in Practice). In addition, all the energy we use to make our wines at our winery in Paso Robles is generated through the solar panels on our vineyards making us a 100% self-sustainable winery!

It’s no secret that 2020 was a monumental year for changes in consumer behavior and the wine industry saw these shifts happening at record speed. Looking ahead to 2021, how has the last year shaped what is to come in 2021? Let’s take a look at the top 5 trends to expect in 2021.

When planning a wine tasting trip to Sonoma County, the number of places on the map is overwhelming and can seem daunting, but looking for wineries that align with your personal ethos and commitment to conservation helps whittle down your selection. Specifically looking for wineries with sustainable certification is an efficient way to find vineyards and wineries with practices that follow the three P’s of sustainability; People, Planet, and Prosperity. Ready to hit the road to Sonoma County? Let’s go.

Looking for something different to fill your glass? Bigger Than Your Head has the post for you, exploring unusual varieties. One highlight includes Castoro Cellars Reserve Tannat 2016, Estrella District, Paso Robles. 100 percent varietal; it aged 18 months in French and American oak barrels. The color is opaque black-purple with a transparent rim; the whole ripe, fleshy enterprise exudes elements of blackberries, currants and plums, permeated by hints of cloves and smoke, lavender and grilled, slightly charred meat; this displays tremendous traction on the palate, sliding through lip-smacking acidity and tannins that grow a bit shaggy as the moments pass; an oak nuance comes up in the finish, lending smoke and woodsy notes.

Did you know 83% of Americans consider sustainability when buying food? When your customers ask about sustainable wines, they can rest assured that SIP Certified shows a farmers and winemakers dedication to responsible practices from the soil to the bottle. Here are three ways certification brings value to your good work:

From best winegrowing practices to explaining your certification to marketing tips and tricks, this recording from the SIP Certified 101 webinar is jam-packed with valuable education.

California vineyards and wineries are encouraged to apply for the 2021 California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. Applications are now being accepted at www.greenmedal.org. The California Green Medal is presented by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers and The Vineyard Team.

Planet Grape Wine Review delivers short, non-technical reviews for regular people. Created by renowned wine expert Catherine Fallis, the world’s fifth female Master Sommelier. Here are her latest reviews of SIP Certified brands.

SIP Certified is committed to providing our members with resources, training, and insights. These benefits are invaluable means to stay up to date on certification as well as advancements in sustainable farming and winemaking techniques. Here are three reasons to join SIP Certified that you can share with talking with your colleague.

Get the certification calendars so you never miss a deadline.

In an effort to help supplement your brand’s content and provide evergreen solutions, SIP Certified encourages you to share this easy SIP Certified 101 guide to help inform consumers about your sustainability efforts. Be it on social media, in email campaigns, or as collateral in your tasting room, this guide aims to be an easily digestible infographic to educate consumers.

Now it is even easier to buy and sell sustainably produced grapes and wine with our new Classifieds. We get calls from brands looking for SIP Certified grapes and wine so we developed a free, easy to use classified section on our website:

Today, there are dozens of organizations worldwide that have been established to certify that wineries are producing wines that are less impactful on the planet. While most people likely understand the concept of “organic wine”, fewer, perhaps could explain the concept of “sustainable wines." Sustainability not only addresses what products are used in the production of wine, but it also considers how much is used, particularly in the case of water, a resource of increasing scarcity, particularly in California. Perhaps of equal importance, sustainability also considers the human aspect of grape/wine production–how employees are treated and compensated.

Slow Wine USA (slowwineusa.com), a branch of the Slow Food movement begun in Italy in 1989 to protect local food cultures and traditions, has awarded Wrath’s Pinot Noir, San Saba Vineyard 2017 with its “COIN” award, designating that it represents an “excellent value for the price”. Wines submitted for judging by this organization must represent awareness of sustainable practices in the vineyard- to promote biodiversity, in the winery- where production methods should intervene as little as possible so the wines are an expression “of place” and in the community- to support the living environment for their employees and neighbors.

Referring a vineyard or winery not only offers you a free ticket to the Sustainable Ag Expo ($345 value) but extends our network to your friends and neighbors.

Be it through social media channels, email messaging, or through printed collateral, let these pairings based on the amount of time and money one has to put together a meal be a resource for for your own content pieces.

The founding brothers want a company that creates wines consumers can feel good about drinking. The days of tossing out stale unfinished glass bottles and wine containing pesticides and animal byproducts are gone. Besa is aiming for consumers with a socially and environmentally conscious mindset. Besa’s brand is centered around the state of mind of “being present” in all that you do. When living in the present and enjoying every moment for what it is; happiness, clarity and good decision can occur. Live every day for the gift that it is.

83% of Americans consider sustainability an important factor when buying food and wine. SIP Certified differentiates your brand from your competition. Learn how.

Whether you are new to the program or a certification veteran, this video will show you how to use the database and review important deadlines to help you successfully achieve SIP Certified for your vineyard, winery and wines.

SIP 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. Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey.

Please take the time to answer our short survey about ways we can improve the content we produce in our newsletters. Your feedback will help shape the year ahead as we develop compelling messaging and actionable resources. Thank you for your support and we look forward to another year of helping your brand succeed.

Paul of Wine talks with Paul K says, "I hear 'this wine is sustainable' regularly from the wineries and vendors....what does that mean? Hear the answer...from Beth Vukmanic....and by the way, this girl is cut...we talk about her exercise regiment as well."

How to get SIP Certified Webinars and what to update this month.

Here is quick overview of the rest of the year for SIP Certified as you prepare for harvest.

Honing in on certified sustainable wineries is a great way to plan a trip and on this particular trip, we head to the Santa Maria Valley. An area comprised of over 2,500 vineyard acres, oriented from east to west routing ocean air directly into the valley, and with a steady Mediterranean climate yields one of California’s longest growing seasons. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah prosper in the Santa Maria Valley, but there are many under-discovered varietals the valley has to offer.

In the "spirit of wine" this holiday season, I wanted to share a fun podcast to get you into the holiday spirit and inspire you to continue building your own community of consumers and friends dedicated to your mission.

The holidays are a time of year for giving and supporting our communities. As SIP Certified business, it’s important to create a plan for giving and get your whole staff involved.According to the Mintel market intelligence agency, 73% of American’s consider a companies’ charitable work when making a purchase.

Submit year ends, renew certification and start documentation for 2021.

SIP Certified buzzwords that are easy for your customer-facing staff to learn and use as talking points during tastings, phone calls, emails, or any other sales interaction.

Local winemakers keep both the palate and the planet in mind. At its core, winemaking is an agricultural endeavor. Soil is tilled, vines are trained, grapes are grown, and the crop is picked. As winemakers have come to realize, however, these processes can have significant ecological and labor implications. Consequently, a growing interest in sustainable winemaking is spreading throughout the industry. And along the Central Coast, select vineyards have gone above and beyond to meet the stringent standards of the Sustainability in Practice (SIP) program.

At Pisoni Family Vineyards, sustainability is about best farming practices drawn from conventional, natural, organic, and biodynamic approaches. It’s a small operation that invests in overall ecosystem management. 

Kris Beal, longtime Executive Director of the Vineyard Team was awarded the Carl F. Hertz Distinguished Service in Agriculture Award. 

In the last year, it is blatantly evident that wine sales channels are dramatically shifting. Leveraging your commitment to sustainability will not only make you stand out in a crowded marketplace but speaks to the growing trend of consumers opting for brands and products that have sustainable practices and values.

There are just two SIP Certified items to complete in December and then we are off to a new year!

As consumers, it is increasingly important to us that we know the origins of what we’re putting into our bodies. When it comes to wine we have SIP Certified; this holistic approach to running a vineyard and winery accounts for habitat, water, energy, soil, recycling, air quality, packaging, pest management, social equity, and business management.

We went straight to the source and asked tasting room and marketing professionals how they communicate SIP Certified practices to their customers. With these real-life question and answer scenarios, training staff, and creating language around how you convey sustainable practices to your customers is conversational and fun.

SIP Certified welcomes over fifteen new vineyards and wineries to their line-up of businesses committed to practicing sustainable farming and winemaking practices. The holistic nature of the third-party certification process encompasses the three P’s of sustainability; People, Planet, Prosperity. As the consumer demand for full transparency continues to grow, programs like SIP Certified are crucial for providing vineyards and wineries with a system holding them accountable.

Winegrowers' and winemakers' actions have implications beyond the fence line. Thankfully, SIP Certified is dedicated to protecting the people and the planet by supporting sustainable winegrowing practices. 43 million bottles and counting! During this value-packed webinar with Good Impacts, SIP Certified Manager Beth Vukmanic Lopez explains how a focus on people, planet, and profit is creating a more sustainable wine industry.

The staff at Shady Lane Cellars have long made sustainable practices a priority in their business, and now their Leelanau-based vineyard is earning official recognition for those efforts.

We are very excited to launch a four-part training series over the next few months that will empower our members' customer facing staff to speak with confidence about sustainable practices in the vineyard and the winery.

This year is a roller coaster of new protocols, customer experiences, and facility developments. While it can feel overwhelming at times, having the right resources to keep you up to date on your state’s protocols is vital to helping you tailor the customer experience. Here are industry veterans tips on how to navigate this monumental shift in tasting room experience.

Every year, Wine Business Monthly sets out to honor those who shape the way the wine industry operates or how people drink wine. We are thrilled to see our Executive Director since 1998, Kris Beal, make the list.

If you’re craving wide-open spaces, pristine uncrowded beaches, sun-kissed vineyards, winding coastal roads, and golden sunsets, don't delay. Pack up the car, and explore Central California. While the world adapts to safe travel during COVID-19, road trips may just be the solution for the adventure and freedom you crave with the safety you need. Road tripping helps you reconnect with feelings of spontaneity, optimism, and fun while giving you the flexibility to safely stay away from crowds.

With Harvest in full swing and tasting room traffic rearing up for the high season, we’ve put together a fun box of the SIP you need to delight and inspire employees to keep SIP top of mind when educating guests. From bottle openers to polishing towels, tabletop info to brochures, this swag is useful and fun for employees.

SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certified recently surveyed tasting room professionals to better understand the challenges facing tasting rooms in a COVID world as well as the resources used to keep up to date on protocols, and some of the triumphs navigating these monumental times. The survey focused on operational, customer-facing, and communication-centric questions that provided insight into both successes and hurdles in operating a tasting room at this time.

After a decade of working with Center of Effort Wine, time seems to have passed quickly. “As I think back, we have accomplished so much in that time. Our wines have found a rhythm, we understand the estate and the land, and we have begun to make adjustments based on deep knowledge of this place,” explains Nathan.

Winery Becomes SIP Certified, Enhancing COE’s Ongoing Commitment to Sustainability

When we think about being a sustainable vineyard or winery, we often focus on farming and winemaking practices and often overlook a key facet; the tasting room. Because this is the most customer-facing aspect of many businesses, it’s an incredible opportunity to institute sustainable practices that not only aid in 360-degree sustainability practices, but also provide an opportunity to teach consumers in real-time the importance of sustainability. Let’s take a walk around the grounds of a typical tasting room and please follow the links for more information and product ideas.

SIP Certified along with Wolf Consulting conducted and analyzed surveys of wine drinkers to provide insights and information for SIP Certified brands to specifically target generations of drinking age; Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z with appropriate messages to increase awareness and desirability of sustainable winemaking practices.

SIP Certified recently surveyed tasting room professionals to better understand the challenges facing tasting rooms in a COVID world as well as the resources used to keep up to date on protocols, and some of the triumphs navigating these monumental times. We focused on operational, customer-facing, and communication-centric questions that provided insight into both successes and hurdles in operating a tasting room at this time.

of distributor portfolios, on-premise lists, and supermarket shelves. The importance of communicating your sustainable practices can be conveyed on your label, but the real follow-through comes with providing training to your distribution partners and sales representatives in order to keep all things SIP Certified top of mind.

The vast Social Media landscape can feel overwhelming and daunting for brands big and small. Creating winning strategies that are manageable, drive sales, and increase brand engagement are crucial for success across all available platforms.

As wines make their way through distribution channels, your brand ethos can get lost in the shuffle of distributor portfolios, on premise lists, and supermarket shelves. Full Glass research recently conducted a survey of over 4700 people in the trade and found that sustainable messaging helps drive sales as consumers are increasingly aware of and demanding sustainable wines.

Deadlines for 2020 SIP Certified.

From calendar updates based on re-openings and safety protocols to updating your content library and reviewing metrics, the rapidly changing landscape of social media marketing needs strategic thinking and planning. Take a look at this checklist to keep your social channels an up to date, driving force in your marketing strategy.

With conscious consumerism on the rise, it’s important to not only invest in social responsibility but to be proud of what you’re doing. Let’s take a look at some community building charities from SIP Certified members and hope it sparks ideas for future initiatives. Big or small, wineries helping in their respective communities make all the difference.

What to update this month.

How are you connecting with your consumer online, in their day-to-day and social schedule? Brandi Moody explains how to understand your customer data, segment it accordingly, and use this information to empower your staff to heighten communication with consumers. These actions lead to increased brand engagement, sales, and a sustainable future.

As consumers become more cognizant of how and where they’re spending their money, sustainability is increasingly at the forefront of their minds. All data points to a continued uptick in sustainable goods purchases with millennials leading the charge with an open willingness to pay more for sustainable products.

Now that most wineries are wrapping up wine club shipments, it’s time to strategize and have some fun planning your next major offering. Because the tasting room sales channel is not a lucrative piece business as of late, it’s important to innovate online and offer something fun for your customers that doesn’t compromise your bottom line. Mix it up in your online store and email campaigns by offering fun product bundles.

What to update this month.

Exploring all things sustainability from best winegrowing practices to explaining your certification to marketing tips and tricks.

At home in A-Town, an online somm appears like a mirage in the desert eliciting veritas from vino.

Having a strong onboarding and training program is crucial to running a business. A solid onboarding process can improve employee retention and alleviate high turnover. According to research by Glassdoor, great employee onboarding can improve retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%.

Join Ian Adamo of Somm's Kitchen for and innovative new way to share food and wine pairings.

I would suggest having this Viognier with some king crab legs.

Creating online content is more important than ever and while it may be tempting to experiment with a number of different outlets and platforms, tread lightly, stay organized, and keep these important parameters in mind.

What to update this month.

In recent years, consumers are bombarded with the hyper-labeling of ingredients to identify characteristics that align with health and lifestyles. More and more packaging is labeled with things like, “Keto-friendly,” “Gluten-free,” and “Plant-Based” along with a myriad of other information, While adding these health attribution labels may speak to many consumers, it can leave many with more questions.

What to update this month.

Not all wine tasters are alike - a major understatement. As traffic ebbs and flows in tasting rooms, it’s evident that interests, price points, and preferences differ. Wine Intelligence recently published a study outlining six distinct consumer segments in wine. It’s important to know how to talk to each of them about sustainability.

On Friday, February 28, 2020, Vineyard Team will be hosting a benefit for the Vineyard Team Educational Scholarship Fund from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Nine Wine Estates located at 2400 Highway 46 West in Paso Robles.

When a consumer is on the wine aisle their decision-making process can be daunting. From finding the right Chardonnay to pair with their fish or that Zinfandel to enjoy on their patio, the options oftentimes seem endless. Aside from the consumer’s personal experience with brands, regions, and varietals, it’s becoming apparent that their values are also playing a huge role in purchasing decisions. It’s evident that conveying your brand values on your label is crucial to stand out on the shelf. 

What to update this month.

Check out these new Menus items offered by Bellagreen!

Here are some top wine choices to enjoy while cooking this winter!

Learn more about SIP certified wineries and how they take the pleasure in holding this title and implementing the principle of sustainable practices throughout their whole farm.

You won't want to miss this piece to learn more about Laura Booras of Riverbench Vineyard & Winery!

Check out this review of wines made from lesser known grape varieties and how they pair with many different meals.

Check out this review of Green Wines with Catherine Fallis and Deborah Parker Wong

Check out who was named Green Personality of the Year by The Drinks Business!

What to update this month.

Keep your documentation up to date and never miss a deadline.

Check out this review of Wrath Wines Pinot Noir 2017, Certified by SIP!

Earth friendly wine? Learn more about the ways wines are made and categorized by three regulated tiers, Sustainable, Organic, and Biodynamic.

How easy it is to become wrapped up in the holiday madness, finding ourselves ripping apart box after box and bag after bag, jamming it all into our recycling bins, wondering if half of it is recyclable anyway? Being sustainable is no easy chore. However, offering SIP Certified wines to our customers is definitely a step in the right direction! This month, we would like to offer a few tips on ways to incorporate sustainable practices in your tasting room during the holiday season.

California vineyards and wineries are encouraged to apply for the 2020 California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards.

What to update this month.

Vineyards submit year end water and nitrogen use reports.

SIP Your Best Life with ReSIProcal February. Receive two (2) complimentary tastings at any participating SIP Certified member tasting room. All you need to do is show the email you received from your wine club or the take-away available at all participating tasting rooms!

Renewing certification takes less than 5 minutes. Follow these quick steps.

You won't want to miss this review of Al Sauvignon Blanc!

Looking for a great new white wine to satisfy your palette? Check out this list of alternative white wines!

As social media becomes more integral to your brand’s success SIP Certified would like to discuss ways to increase followers and engagement on Instagram and Facebook. Tugging at someone’s emotions is one of the best ways to capture smiley face emoji’s and shares, so posting images and using hash tags which highlight a better planet for future generations is a topic that elicits our insides to feel warm and fuzzy.

So what do winemakers do, and does the public really care if a vineyard is farmed sustainably, organically or even biodynamically to begin with?

Millenials market share of wine sales now matches baby boomers.

Paragon is planted to nearly a dozen grape varieties chosen for their ability to shine in Edna Valley’s cool climate

Not all wine is created equal, nor are all grapes grown equally in the vineyard. Many wineries throughout the San Luis Obispo Coast farm their vineyards and make their wines “sustainably,” meaning they choose to save water, encourage biodiversity, take care of their workers and give tasters wines that do no harm to Mother Earth.

The signature Gruner Veltliner, made of grapes sourced from Edna Valley—one of the great “secret” wine regions of the world.

...but before all that happens, that feeling of peace, relaxation and bliss upon the ocean—that’s this wine - the 2016 J. Wilkes Pinot Blanc.

What steps are you taking to draw attention to your wine’s sustainable certification in off-premise retail? We are now offering an irresistible, attention-grabbing raptor in retail display formats to perch right on top of your floor stacks!

August was a very nice wine tasting month fir James including wines from Opolo and Fiddlestix.

The new issue of Restaurant Wine by Ronn Wiegand just came out and a number of SIP Certified wines did extremely well.

Fredric Koeppel brings you new whites to try.

SIP Certified (Sustainability in Practice) has just released a list of new vineyards that have been certified sustainable for 2019. The high-profile group includes six new properties and two long-time members.

"We are beyond thrilled to be the FIRST retailer on the East Coast working with SIP Certified"

Planet Grape Wine Review delivers short, non-technical reviews for regular people. Check out the latest reviews of SIP Certified wines.

Two of the five are SIP Certified sustainable. Great wines really do come from healthy vineyards.

Sarah A. Spitz gets out of town to see artist Bruce Munro’s massive outdoor walk-through installation called Field of Light and rides through the Halter Ranch Vineyards on their popular land rover tour.

Syrah Queen delves into how the wine industry is looking to make sustainable wines that give back to the land and community on every level plus some great wines you can try that protect the people and planet.

Not all smells are romantic, but SIP Certified practices ensure quality end results. To keep your hospitality team on point with SIP Certified practices, we encourage you to adopt some of these ideas into your continuing educational training.

Deadlines and process to get SIP Certified at your vineyard and/or winery.

Reviewing sustainable wines on one channel. Sustainability comes in many colours that can hone in on relevant, cutting edge and helpful ways of producing high quality fruit with absolute sensitivity to the planet and people.

If you are as organized as Marie Kondo you probably have all your ducks in a row with your upcoming fall shipment. Am I right?? Here are some ideas on how to incorporate SIP Certified into your Fall Shipment.

The goal of this series is to educate winery hospitality and sales professionals in a quick and simple way on how being SIP Certified can support you, in turn raising your customers awareness on what makes SIP Certified members so special, and ultimately increasing your sales and brand loyalty.

I have long been a fan of all sustainability programs because the reach, intent and adoption are in touch with today’s needs for environmentally friendly and responsibly produced wines.

Looking for a rose to sip this summer? Check out this review!

The drunken cyclist asks what can we do to address the situation? Well, for one, we can start buying products that are friendly to the environment.

Schedule SIP Certified Vineyard & Winery inspections between June 1 and July 15, 2019. Call or email your inspector to select a date (Inspector contact information is available online)

We want your feedback so we can best help you market your sustainability. Let us know how SIP Certified fits into your story and what marketing tools are most helpful to your brand.

LA Based Canned Wine startup, Besa mi Vino is on a mission to produce clean wine for the world we live in. Not only did they just launch with two wines, they are partnered with elite influencers, estimating to receive millions of impressions of their wines while reaching socially conscious millennial consumers.

Fredric Koeppel of Bigger Than Your Head highlights 22 Cabernet Sauvignon Wines, Mostly Napa Valley but also including an excellent Paso Robles wine from Halter Ranch.

Looking for a summer get away? Money Inc agrees with us, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Paso Robles. Just a 3-hour drive north from Los Angeles or south from San Francisco, Paso Robles feels worlds away from city life.

Jerry Greenfield of the Florida Weekly addresses how farmers are deeply concerned about the land that provides their living. More and more, winemakers and the people who grow their grapes have been moving toward more sensible, sustainable agricultural practices.

The Drunken Cyclist started a blog in 2012 as a creative outlet to write about his passions: wine and cycling (hence the “Drunken Cyclist” moniker). The blog has become exclusively on wine for its compelling stories–from the vineyard, to the tasting room, to the table.

Planet Grape Wine Review delivers short, non-technical reviews for regular people. Created by renowned wine expert Catherine Fallis, the world’s fifth female Master Sommelier. Here are her latest reviews of SIP Certified brands.