CA GREEN MEDAL AWARD APPLICATIONS DUE

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.