News & Insights

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Wondering what comes after you've completed your inspection?

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

SIP Certified renewals are due Dec. 1.

Your 2024 renewal is just a few clicks away!

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

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.

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).

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)

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.

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!

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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?

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.

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 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!

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!

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

SIP Certified eligibility timeline for vineyards and wineries.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Deadlines for 2020 SIP Certified.

What to update this month.

What to update this month.

What to update this month.

What to update this month.

What to update this month.

What to update this month.

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

What to update this month.

Vineyards submit year end water and nitrogen use reports.

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

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

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.