Learn | Certified California Sustainable

Certified California Sustainable Vineyards and Wineries are enterprises on a mission.

The goal: to grow and craft quality winegrapes and wine while protecting the environment, being a good neighbor and employer, and maintaining thriving family farms and businesses. That’s not just talk. Every year, auditors verify that these businesses are living up to the Code.

Certification Requirements

Certified Vineyards and Wineries must:

Adopt Practices

✔ Implement all required practices included in the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing

✔ Comply with prohibitions and restrictions on certain crop-protection materials

Track Performance

✔ Measure water, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (for wineries)

✔ Measure water use and applied nitrogen (for vineyards)

Continuously Improve

✔ Implement action plans for ongoing improvements

Verify Annually

✔ Complete a rigorous independent third-party audit

Key Areas of Sustainable Winegrowing

Water Efficiency

Energy Efficiency

Pest Management

Soil Health

Waste Management

Wildlife Habitat

Neighbors & Community

Employees

Contributions

Supply Chain

Everyone Benefits

Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing asks a lot of vineyard and winery owners, but what a return!

Good for the Planet
Conserves water and energy, maintains healthy soil, protects air and water quality, and preserves local ecosystems and wildlife habitat.

Good for the Community
Preserves open space, maintains scenic landscapes and contributes to economy and culture, promoting a safe and healthy environment.

Good for Grapes & Wine
Requires attention to detail and constant improvement, resulting in high-quality California winegrapes and wine.

Always Transparent

Here's how we assure the program's integrity:

Reporting Yearly

The Certified California Sustainable Annual Report is a yearly update on statistics and progress in adoption of sustainable practices by certified vineyards and wineries.

Upholding Standards

A review by SCS Global Services, a leading third-party auditor, confirmed that Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing adheres to international best practices in certification.

Going Public

The Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing Guidebook is available to all. Anyone may read the Code’s recommended and required practices.

Many Ways to Be Sustainable

In California, several organizations help vineyards and wineries become more sustainable. Educational and certification programs have encouraged the state’s growers and vintners to adopt sustainable winegrowing practices for decades. Read about the many sustainability accomplishments in a collection of milestones.

To date, approximately 54% of California winegrape acres are certified to one or more of the following programs: Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Fish Friendly Farming, LandSmart™, LODI RULES, Napa Green and/or SIP Certified^®. Others are certified Biodynamic^®, Organic or California Green Business. In addition, the Sonoma County Sustainably Farmed Grapes logo can appear on wines that have been made with grapes from vineyards that are Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Fish Friendly Farming, LODI RULES, or SIP Certified^®. Click on the logos below to learn more about these programs or visit the U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing website.

Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing

Sustainable, Organic or Biodynamic^®?

Each of these three approaches have much in common, such as using compost for healthier soil and natural methods to control pests and diseases, yet each has unique features, too. Sustainable practices - and Certified California Sustainable - are broader in scope, encompassing energy and water efficiency, employee relations, community engagement and more, while organic and Biodynamic^® go into greater depth on the areas of commonality.

Sustainable + Organic + Biodynamic^{®

Common attributes of all three certifications:}

Annual Certification
Third-Party Audit
Soil Health
Integrated Pest Management
Biodiversity and Habitat
Water Quality
Ecosystem Management

Sustainable
^{Additional attributes of sustainable certification:}

Water Conservation
Energy Efficiency
Employees & Community
Supply Chain Responsibility
Waste Management
Air Quality
Economic Feasibility

Make a Difference

Your choices can make a difference. If sustainability is a priority for you, here are a few ways to help shape the future:

Choose California Wines

Support growers and vintners dedicated to environmental stewardship and equitable business practices.

Search now.

Plan a Tour

These Certified California Sustainable Wineries welcome your visit.

Explore now.

Become an Ambassador

Take a free one-hour online certificate course in sustainability for wine lovers and wine professionals.

Begin today.