2026 CALIFORNIA GREEN MEDAL AWARD WINNERS
View the 2026 Winners News Release.
View the video below highlighting the sustainability accomplishments of 2026 recipients.
Best demonstrates the ability to balance the “3 Es” of sustainability.
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery blends environmental stewardship with a deep commitment to their community. A leader in climate action, they have transitioned to Gold membership with International Wineries for Climate Action and reduced their emissions intensity by 48% since 2021. Their water management is equally rigorous, achieving a 56% reduction in usage while recycling all process water for landscape irrigation. With over 1,600-acres in Napa Valley, biodiversity thrives; 1,000 acres of the land remains wild, supported seasonally by 900 grazing sheep that provide natural fertilization, fire prevention and reduce the number of tractor passes. As a founding member of the North Bay Zero Waste Collective, St. Supéry serves as a regional recycling hub, diverting over 590,000 pounds of material from landfills since 2024. They support their employees through carpool incentives and naturalization assistance and the broader Napa community by participating in the Napa Food Project, which collectively donated over 21,000 pounds of food in 2025. Sustainability is also central to wine promotion, with practices and certifications touted to both trade and consumers. This 2026 recognition builds upon a long history of excellence, including being honored with the California Green Medal Environment Award in 2018. For their innovative leadership in the three pillars of sustainability, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery is the winner of the 2026 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leader Award.
Best demonstrates environmental stewardship.
CLIF FAMILY WINERY & FARM
Guided by its “Five Bottom Lines” — Business, Brands, People, Community and Planet — Clif Family Winery & Farm embeds sustainability into every business and agricultural decision. As a B Corp Certified company, they have committed to a 50% emissions reduction by 2030 through improved efficiency via renewable energy, converting to lightweight packaging, solar and EV charging. Drip irrigation, drought-tolerant landscaping and dry-farming trials reduce water use while strengthening vineyard adaptability. They are dedicated to enhancing biodiversity on their 281-acre property by preserving over 250 acres as natural habitat, fostering wildlife corridors and using natural pest control. In the vineyard, Clif Family uses climate-smart and regenerative practices, such as no-till farming, sheep grazing and cover crops to bolster soil health and climate resilience. Through their Sip & Support program, they donate 20% of tasting room and food truck sales on event days to local environmental and social causes, including Napa Vine Trail, Napa Bike Coalition, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation and the Suscol Intertribal Council. For their unwavering commitment to creating a resilient, equitable and environmentally thriving future, Clif Family Winery & Farm is the winner of the 2026 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Environment Award.
Best demonstrates being a good neighbor and employer.
IRONSTONE VINEYARDS
Ironstone Vineyards exemplifies operational excellence by seamlessly integrating multi-generational tradition with cutting-edge innovation. A leader in natural resource conservation, they pioneered groundwater banking and riparian restoration since the 1940s, recently achieving 47% water savings and a 19% reduction in energy costs through SWEEP-funded infrastructure upgrades. This family’s innovative work on soil health, integrated pest management and biodiversity benefits not only Ironstone Vineyards, but the surrounding community and wine sector. They reactivated a 1914 riparian system to support fish, wildlife and native and migratory birds and planted native oaks to enhance local ecosystems in Lodi. Their resilience is rooted in their people; with a workforce boasting members with over 50 years of experience, Ironstone invests in bilingual safety training, team building and professional development. By balancing resource conservation with fiscal responsibility and community investment — including over $1.2 million raised for youth agricultural programs — Ironstone Vineyards demonstrates that a sustainable business model is the key to enduring success in a changing landscape. For their tireless dedication to the community, their employees and the future of the planet, Ironstone Vineyards is the winner of the 2026 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Community Award.
Best demonstrates smart business via efficiencies, cost savings and innovation.
HOBO WINE COMPANY
Hobo Wine Company has built environmental responsibility and community engagement into their business strategy since its founding. Operating on 100% local renewable energy — including geothermal and solar — they achieve net-zero kWh per case, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while helping stabilize long-term energy and fuel costs. They also maintain a remarkable water efficiency of 1.44 gallons per gallon of wine — far below the industry average. Hobo prioritizes organic farming, sourcing the majority of their fruit from certified organic vineyards. A leader in waste reduction, they eliminated capsules in 2005 and have diverted over 216,000 bottles through their innovative reusable keg program, while composting organic winery byproducts such as pomace to reduce waste and hauling. Hobo also prioritizes lower-impact packaging choices across their supply chain. Their employment practices — including fair wages, healthcare, retirement contributions, PTO and shared meals — boost employee morale and retention. As a dedicated member of 1% for the Planet, they have donated nearly $200,000 since 2018, alongside raising $70,000 for The School Box Project. For their commitment to innovation, efficiency and long-term economic and environmental health, Hobo Wine Company is the recipient of the 2026 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Business Award.
2026 SPONSORS
MEDIA SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSOR
JUDGING PANEL FOR 2026 AWARDS
- Beth Vukmanic, executive director, Vineyard Team
- Courtney Cochran, principal, Studio Soif
- Cyril Penn, editor-in-chief, Wine Business Monthly
- Evan Goldstein, master sommelier
- Jennifer Dieckmann, chief operations officer, Sonoma County Winegrowers
- Julie Berge, VP of communications and member relations, Wine Institute
- Kate Venugopal, director of marketing, Wine Institute International
- Lisa Francioni, deputy director, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
- Marisa Taylor, winery program manager, Napa Green
- Natalie Collins, president, California Association of Winegrape Growers
- Stephanie Bolton, PhD, research and education director, Lodi Winegrape Commission
- Suraj Kar, PhD, assistant professor of viticulture, California Polytechnic State University, SL