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ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA GREEN MEDAL SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING LEADERSHIP 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. 

Recognizing California vineyards and wineries excelling in sustainability with four awards

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.

PRESENTED BY

The awards are presented by a coalition of leading industry organizations including California Association of Winegrape Growers, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Green, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers, Vineyard Team and Wine Institute. 

BENEFITS OF APPLYING & WINNING

Applying to the California Green Medal is your opportunity to gain recognition as a leader in sustainable winegrowing. Learn some of the benefits of applying and winning below:

  • Credibility Boost — Strengthen your reputation as a leader in sustainable winegrowing with clear, credible recognition.
  • Brand Visibility — Enhance your brand’s profile through coverage in leading wine industry publications.
  • Marketing Edge — Leverage your award status to differentiate your winery and attract eco-conscious consumers.
  • Global Exposure — Enjoy invitations to showcase your wines at exclusive, buyer-focused events worldwide.
  • Sustainability Insights — Gain valuable insights to elevate your operational strategy by inventorying your sustainability efforts during the application process.

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. 

RECOGNITION OF WINNERS

In addition to being recognized as a sustainability leader in the California wine industry, award winners will:

  • Receive a California Green Medal award and certificate
  • Be recognized at an awards ceremony hosted by the recipient on a mutually available date
  • Receive access to the award program logo to include in marketing / communications
  • Be listed on presenting organizations’ websites and featured in award communications (e.g., widely distributed press releases, e-newsletters, social media, etc.)
  • Be featured in media sponsors’ ads
  • Be featured in a video of award winners and receive a copy for their own use 
  • Be featured in media opportunities, wine tasting and sustainable winegrowing educational events

CALIFORNIA GREEN MEDAL JUDGES PAST AND PRESENT

The professional affiliations and titles of the judges listed below reflect their roles at the time of their judging appointment. 

  • Allison Jordan, executive director, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
  • Ann Thrupp, former executive director, Berkeley Food Institute at UC Berkeley
  • Amy Azzolina, social media and communications manager, Wine Institute; 
  • Anna Brittain, executive director, Napa Green
  • Beth Vukmanic, executive director, Vineyard Team
  • Camron King, former executive director, Lodi Winegrape Commission
  • Chris Chen, integrated vineyard systems advisor, UC Cooperative Extension 
  • Courtney Cochran, principal, Studio Soif
  • Cyril Penn, editor-in-chief, Wine Business Monthly
  • David Glancy, master sommelier, San Francisco Wine School
  • Emily Farrant, sustainability, Sonoma County Winegrowers
  • Erin Coburn, co-owner, Minimo
  • Evan Goldstein, MS
  • Frances Knapczyk, program director, Napa Resource Conservation District
  • Hunter Francis, director/founder, Center for Sustainability in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
  • InHaeng Jung, professor, Sonoma State University Wine Business Institute
  • Jennifer Dieckmann, chief operations officer, Sonoma County Winegrowers
  • Julie Berge, VP of communications and member relations, Wine Institute
  • Karissa Kruse, president, Sonoma County Winegrowers
  • Kate Piontek, vice president of operations, Sonoma County Winegrowers
  • Kate Venugopal, director of international marketing, Wine Institute
  • Karen Block, PhD, director of industry relations, UC Davis Viticulture and Enology
  • Kelli McCune, senior manager for conservation incentives, Sustainable Conservation
  • Lindsey M. Higgins, assistant professor in the agribusiness department, Cal Poly State University
  • Lisa Francioni, deputy director, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
  • Matthew Hoffman, director, Lodi Winegrape Commission
  • Michelle Novi, industry relations manager, Napa Valley Vintners
  • Mike Taylor, director of adult beverages, Nugget Market, Inc.
  • Natalie Collins, president, California Association of Winegrape Growers
  • Natalie Wymer, former VP of communications and member relations, Wine Institute
  • Granoff Peter, master sommelier, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant
  • Ray Johnson, executive director, Wine Business Institute, Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics
  • Renata Brillinger, executive director, California Climate Action Network
  • Richard Morley, co-founder, FirstPour
  • Sandra Taylor, president and CEO, Sustainable Business International LLC 
  • Stephanie Bolton, PhD, research and education director, Lodi Winegrape Commission
  • Steve Lederer, director, Napa County Green Business Program
  • Suraj Kar, PhD, assistant professor of viticulture, California Polytechnic State University, SLO
  • Tonya Pitts, wine director, One Market Restaurant.