FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025. BY WINE INSTITUTE.
California’s vineyards and wineries are invited to submit applications for the 2026 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. Applications are open at greenmedal.org and will be accepted until February 6, 2026. Now in its 12th year, the California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards is the state’s highest recognition for sustainability excellence within our wine industry.
“Going through the process of filling out a Green Medal application helps our growers and vintners pause to reflect upon and articulate their accomplishments over the past few years! It’s always a good idea to stop and celebrate (preferably with bubbles), but it is especially important to help our teams realize their good work right now when morale is at an all-time low in our industry. Let’s find the good and share it!” – Stephanie Bolton, PhD, LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Director & Green Medal Judge
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
Honors a vineyard or winery that demonstrates excellence across the “3 Es” of sustainability: environmental stewardship, social equity and economic viability. - Environment Award
Recognizes outstanding practices in environmental stewardship. - Community Award
Celebrates exceptional efforts to be a responsible employer and a good neighbor. - Business Award
Highlights operational excellence through innovation, efficiency and long-term business sustainability.
“The California Green Medal Awards highlight California winegrowers’ and vintners’ exceptional dedication to sustainability,” says 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.”
In addition to receiving a Green Medal Award and statewide recognition, award winners are featured in industry communications, media outreach and honored at a special recognition event. The program offers a powerful platform for leaders to share their story, inspire their peers and elevate the value of sustainable winegrowing.
Check out past Green Medal winners HERE.
About the California Green Medal Awards
Established in 2014, the California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards spotlight the vintners and growers who embody sustainable excellence and inspire others by demonstrating the benefits and possibilities of being part of a sustainability program. greenmedal.org
The awards are presented by a coalition of leading industry organizations including 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.
2026 Judging Panel
In addition to sustainability experts from the California wine industry, the judging panel includes representatives from media, trade, and academia.
- Julie Berge, VP of Communications and Member Relations, Wine Institute
- Stephanie Bolton, PhD, Research & Education Director/LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Director, Lodi Winegrape Commission
- Anna Brittain, Executive Director, Napa Green
- Courtney Cochran, Principal, Studio Soif
- Natalie Collins, President, California Association of Winegrape Growers
- Jennifer Dieckmann, Chief Operations Officer, Sonoma County Winegrowers
- Lisa Francioni, Deputy Director, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
- Evan Goldstein, MS, President, Full Circle Wine Solutions and Master the World
- Cyril Penn, Editor-in-Chief, Wine Business Monthly
- Beth Vukmanic, Executive Director, Vineyard Team
Thank you to the 2026 Green Medal Sponsors!
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact info@greenmedal.org.
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For more information on the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Program, visit lodigrowers.com/standards or lodirules.org.
