ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA GREEN MEDAL SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Since 2014, the California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards has provided recognition to California vineyards and wineries that are leaders in implementing the three Es of sustainability (environment, economic and social equity) while inspiring others in the industry and highlighting the benefits of participating in a sustainability program. The program is a great opportunity to showcase the amazing commitment many California growers and vintners have made to protecting the environment and enhancing the communities in which they live and work.
Recognizing California vineyards and wineries excelling in sustainability with four awards
LEADER AWARD
Honoring the vineyard and/or winery that best demonstrates the ability to balance the “3 Es” of sustainability, (Environmentally sound, socially Equitable and Economically viable) and excels in each of these areas.
ENVIRONMENT AWARD
Honoring the vineyard and/or winery that best demonstrates Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices.
COMMUNITY AWARD
Honoring the vineyard and/or winery that is a Good Neighbor & Employer using the most innovative practices that enhance relations with employees, neighbors and/or communities.
BUSINESS AWARD
Honoring the vineyard and/or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.
PRESENTED BY
The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and several other organizations dedicated to sustainable winegrowing — California Association of Winegrape Growers, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Green, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers, Vineyard Team and Wine Institute — team up for the California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards program.
ELIGIBILITY
- All applicants must be a California vineyard and/or winery.
- All applicants must have participated in a California sustainability program within the past 12 months (e.g., California Green Business Program, California Sustainable Winegrowing Self-Assessment Program, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Fish Friendly Farming, LandSmart®, LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing, LODI RULES Self-Assessment, Napa Green, Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC), SIP Certified®, SIP Certified® Self-Assessment).
- Previous winners of the Environment, Community or Business award must wait five years to reapply. Previous winners of the Leader award must wait 10 years to reapply for the Leader award and five years to reapply for the Environment, Business and Community award categories.
RECOGNITION OF WINNERS
- Receive a California Green Medal award and certificate
- Be recognized at an awards ceremony hosted by the recipient on a mutually available date
- Receive access to the award program logo to include in marketing / communications
- Be listed on presenting organizations’ websites and featured in award communications (e.g., widely distributed press releases, e-newsletters, social media, etc.)
- Be featured in media sponsors’ ads
- Be featured in a video of award winners and receive a copy for their own use
- Be featured in media opportunities, wine tasting and sustainable winegrowing educational events
CALIFORNIA GREEN MEDAL JUDGES PAST AND PRESENT
The professional affiliations and titles of the judges listed below reflect their roles at the time of their judging appointment.
- Allison Jordan, executive director, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
- Ann Thrupp, former executive director, Berkeley Food Institute at UC Berkeley
- Amy Azzolina, social media and communications manager, Wine Institute;
- Anna Brittain, executive director, Napa Green
- Beth Vukmanic, executive director, Vineyard Team
- Camron King, former executive director, Lodi Winegrape Commission
- Cyril Penn, editor-in-chief, Wine Business Monthly
- David Glancy, master sommelier, San Francisco Wine School
- Emily Farrant, sustainability, Sonoma County Winegrowers
- Evan Goldstein, MS, president, Full Circle Wine Solutions and Master the World
- Frances Knapczyk, program director, Napa Resource Conservation District
- Hunter Francis, director/founder, Center for Sustainability in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- InHaeng Jung, professor, Sonoma State University Wine Business Institute
- Jennifer Richards, VP of operations and Business Development, Sonoma County Winegrowers
- Karissa Kruse, president, Sonoma County Winegrowers
- Kate Piontek, vice president of operations, Sonoma County Winegrowers
- Karen Block, PhD, director of industry relations, UC Davis Viticulture and Enology
- Kelli McCune, senior manager for conservation incentives, Sustainable Conservation
- Lindsey M. Higgins, assistant professor in the agribusiness department, Cal Poly State University
- Lisa Francioni, deputy director, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
- Matthew Hoffman, director, Lodi Winegrape Commission
- Michelle Novi, industry relations manager, Napa Valley Vintners
- Mike Taylor, director of adult beverages, Nugget Market, Inc.
- Natalie Collins, president, California Association of Winegrape Growers
- Natalie Wymer, former VP of communications and member relations, Wine Institute
- Granoff Peter, master sommelier, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant
- Ray Johnson, executive director, Wine Business Institute, Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics
- Renata Brillinger, executive director, California Climate Action Network
- Sandra Taylor, president and CEO, Sustainable Business International LLC
- Stephanie Bolton, research and education director, Lodi Winegrape Commission
- Steve Lederer, director, Napa County Green Business Program
- Tonya Pitts, wine director, One Market Restaurant.