CALIFORNIA GREEN MEDAL:
SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING LEADERSHIP AWARDS
PRESENTED BY:
Recognizing California vineyards and wineries excelling in sustainability with four awards:
Honoring the vineyard and/or winery that best demonstrates the ability to balance the “3 E’s” of sustainability, (Environmentally sound, socially Equitable and Economically viable) and excels in each of these areas.
Honoring the vineyard and/or winery that best demonstrates Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices.
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.
Honoring the vineyard and/or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.
GREEN MEDAL INSPIRES
Now in its seventh year, the California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards provide recognition to vineyards and wineries who are leaders in implementing the Three E's of sustainability (environment, economic and social equity). The Green Medal inspires others in the industry and highlights the benefits of participating in a sustainability program. It's 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.
2020 RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines (Leader), Bonterra Organic
Vineyards (Environment), Clif Family Winery (Community), and Pisoni Family
Vineyards (Business)!
Learn more about the 2020 winners.
2021 SPONSORS
EXCLUSIVE MEDIA SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
ELIGIBILITY
- All applicants must be a California vineyard and/or winery.
- All applicants must have participated in a California sustainability program within the past 3 years (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, SIP Certified®, SIP Certified® Self-Assessment).
- Applicants are encouraged to focus on practices, projects or initiatives that have taken place in the past three years, with a particular emphasis on the past 12 months.
- Previous winners must wait three years to reapply and are encouraged to apply in other award categories.
HOW TO APPLY
- Applicants are encouraged to focus on practices, projects or initiatives that have taken place in the past three years, with a particular emphasis on the past 12 months.
- Any applicants with multiple operations are encouraged to provide a company-wide perspective in application responses.
- Applicants submit one application and will apply for one of the three innovator award categories: Environment, Business, or Community (see Award Categories for details). Applicants may also apply for the Leader If the applicant stands out in a category that was not selected on the application, the judging panel may use their discretion to nominate the applicant for another category.
- Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with multiple employees when completing the application. For example, have a viticulturist complete questions on farming practices and have a marketing/PR executive address questions pertaining to community relations and stakeholder communications.
- Applicants may submit larger supporting document files via DropBox.com, Box.net or similar document sharing sites.
- Contact info@greenmedal.org with any questions.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The judging panel will consider the following criteria when scoring applications:
- Practices, project(s) and/or initiative(s) demonstrate outstanding achievement in each of the sustainable practice areas relevant to their award category
- Includes major accomplishments and measurable results
- Practices, project(s) and/or initiative(s) 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-reaches platforms
- Demonstrates Excellence in Award Category:
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- Environment Award: Demonstrates maximized environmental benefits
- Community Award: Enhances relations with employees, neighbors and/or communities
- Business Award: Demonstrates efficiencies and cost savings
- Leader Award: Balances multiple objectives of environmental, economic and social goals, and sustainability is clearly integrated into the overall business
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RECOGNITION FOR AWARD WINNERS
In addition to being recognized as a sustainability leader in the California wine industry, award winners will:
- Receive a green medal award and certificate
- Receive full access to award logo to include in marketing efforts
- Be listed on presenting organizations websites and featured in award communications (widely distributed press releases, e-newsletters, social media, etc.)
- Be featured in a full-page Wine Business Monthly ad
- Be featured in video of award winners and receive a copy for your own use
- Be featured through a variety of media opportunities and at various tasting and sustainable winegrowing educational events
JUDGING PANEL FOR 2021 AWARDS
- Allison Jordan, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
- Anna Brittain, Napa Green
- Beth Vukmanic Lopez, The Vineyard Team
- Cyril Penn – Wine Business Monthly
- David Glancy, MS – San Francisco Wine School
- Frances Knapczyk, Napa Resource Conservation District
- Karen Block PhD, UC Davis Viticulture and Enology
- Katie Piontek, Sonoma County Winegrape Commission
- Stephanie Bolton, PhD, Lodi Winegrape Commission
- Mike Taylor, Nugget Market, Inc.
- Sandra Taylor, Sustainable Business International LLC
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING
Sustainable winegrowing is a comprehensive set of practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically viable. Sustainable winegrowing is being used by winegrape growers and vintners throughout California to grow and make high quality grapes and wine. These sustainable vineyard and winery practices conserve water and energy, maintain healthy soil, protect air and water quality, enhance relations with employees and communities, preserve local ecosystems and wildlife habitat, and improve the economic vitality of vineyards and wineries.