MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2024. BY WINE INSTITUTE.
SACRAMENTO — California’s vineyards and wineries are invited to submit their applications for the 2025 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. Applications are now open at greenmedal.org and will be accepted until February 5, 2025. This marks the 11th annual presentation of the awards, which are highly regarded within the wine industry.
Vineyards and wineries actively engaged in sustainability programs across California are eligible to compete in four distinct categories, recognizing outstanding achievement in sustainability:
- 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.
“The California Green Medal Awards highlight California winegrowers’ and vintners’ exceptional dedication to sustainability,” said Natalie Collins, president of California Association of Winegrape Growers. “This program is a powerful way to showcase our industry’s leadership in environmental stewardship, economic viability and social equity. It’s an honor to recognize those who set the standard for these practices, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and reinforcing the importance of sustainability in our industry.”
The 2024 California Green Medal recipients were:
- LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyard, Leader Award
- Gloria Ferrer, Environment Award
- Cooper-Garrod Vineyards at Garrod Farms, Community Award
- Vino Farms LLC, Business Award
“The California Green Medal Awards highlight California winegrowers’ and vintners’ exceptional dedication to sustainability,” said Natalie Collins, president of California Association of Winegrape Growers. “This program is a powerful way to showcase our industry’s leadership in environmental stewardship, economic viability and social equity. It’s an honor to recognize those who set the standard for these practices, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and reinforcing the importance of sustainability in our industry.”
Applications are being accepted through Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
Winners will receive a California Green Medal and be recognized in widely distributed communications, as well as an awards recognition event in 2025.
About the 2025 California Green Medal Awards
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 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 enhance the communities in which they live and work.
The California Green Medal is presented by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Green, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers and Vineyard Team.
The 2025 program’s judging panel consists of wine and sustainability experts including Allison Jordan, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance; Anna Brittain, Napa Green; Beth Vukmanic, Vineyard Team; Chris Chen, PhD, UC Cooperative Extension — North Coast; Cyril Penn, Wine Business Monthly; Erin Coburn, minimo; Jennifer Richards, Sonoma County Winegrowers; Kate Venugopal, Wine Institute; Natalie Collins, California Association of Winegrape Growers; Richard Morley, FirstPour; and Stephanie Bolton, PhD, Lodi Winegrape Commission.
Sponsors include:
Exclusive Media Sponsor: Wine Business Monthly, American Vineyard Grape Grower & PCA, The Somm Journal
Gold Sponsors: Farm Credit Alliance
Bronze Sponsor: MCE Clean Energy
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact info@greenmedal.org.
Have something interesting to say? Consider writing a guest blog article!
To subscribe to the Coffee Shop Blog, send an email to stephanie@lodiwine.com with the subject “blog subscribe.”
To join the Lodi Growers email list, send an email to stephanie@lodiwine.com with the subject “grower email subscribe.”
To receive Lodi Grower news and event promotions by mail, send your contact information to stephanie@lodiwine.com or call 209.367.4727.
For more information on the wines of Lodi, visit the Lodi Winegrape Commission’s consumer website, lodiwine.com.
For more information on the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Program, visit lodigrowers.com/standards or lodirules.org.
