APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN THROUGH FEB. 5, 2025
HOW TO APPLY
- Determine if your vineyard or winery is eligible to apply by reviewing the eligibility section below.
- Download the application (below) and complete offline.
- Gather required supporting documentation and upload to a linkable location (i.e., Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.).
- When done completing the application offline, transcribe your responses into the online application (linked below).
- Email us with any questions you have about the application process: info@greenmedal.org
IMPORTANT:
Final applications are submitted via the online form below.
Do not submit your application as a Word document.
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 must wait five years to reapply. Previous winners of the Leader award will not be eligible for the Leader award for 10 years, however, may be considered for the Environment, Business and Community award categories after five years.
AWARD CATEGORIES
LEADER AWARD
Given to the vineyard or winery that demonstrates Success and Innovation and Inspires Others in the three areas of sustainable winegrowing below.
ENVIRONMENT AWARD
Given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices.
COMMUNITY AWARD
Given to the vineyard or winery that is a Good Neighbor and Employer using the most innovative practices that enhance relations with employees, neighbors and/or communities.
BUSINESS AWARD
Given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.
APPLICATION TIPS
Here are tips for producing a comprehensive and competitive application:
- Answer all questions even if not directly related to the category you are applying for. This helps demonstrate your overall sustainability.
- Include supporting documentation, including a recent copy of your certificate for sustainability certification programs, if applicable.
- Focus on practices, projects or initiatives that have taken place in the past three years, with a particular emphasis on the past year.
- Include specific examples along with supporting metrics whenever possible.
- Collaborate with others when completing the application. For example, have your viticulturist complete or review responses on farming practices, and a communications colleague address questions pertaining to community relations and stakeholder communications. This way, your application is more likely to be comprehensive and encompass more areas of your sustainability efforts.
- Applicants with multiple facilities are encouraged to provide a company-wide perspective in application responses.
- Applicants must submit supporting documents / files via DropBox.com, Google Drive or a similar document-sharing platform.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The judging panel will consider the following criteria when scoring applications:
- Practices, project(s) and/or initiative(s) that demonstrate outstanding achievement in each of the sustainable practice areas relevant to their award category
- Major accomplishments and measurable results
- Practices, project(s) and/or initiative(s) that are innovative and/or unique
- Clearly articulates why they are deserving of the award and what sets them apart from others
- Certified to a third-party sustainable winegrowing certification program receives bonus points
- Provides compelling supporting documentation (see full list of examples on application)
- Promotes public awareness of the merits of using sustainability practices through far-reaching platforms
- Demonstrates excellence in these award categories: Environment, Community, Business and Leader
To see the points assigned to each criteria, download the judging panel scorecard.
JUDGING PANEL FOR 2025 AWARDS
- Allison Jordan, executive director, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
- Anna Brittain, executive director, Napa Green
- Beth Vukmanic, executive director, Vineyard Team
- Chris Chen, integrated vineyard systems advisor, UC Cooperative Extension — North Coast
- Cyril Penn, editor-in-chief, Wine Business Monthly
- Erin Coburn, co-owner, Minimo
- Jennifer Richards, VP of operations and business development, Sonoma County Winegrowers
- Kate Venugopal, director of international marketing, Wine Institute
- Natalie Collins, president, California Association of Winegrape Growers
- Richard Morley, co-founder, FirstPour
- Stephanie Bolton, research and education director, Lodi Winegrape Commission
Email us with any questions you have!