SAN FRANCISCO, March 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- April is
California Wines Down to Earth Month, an annual tribute to the
California winemaking community's
decades-long commitment to sustainable winegrowing. Created by Wine
Institute, the association of 1,000 California wineries, the month-long
celebration highlights winery and business practices that ensure
the health and vibrancy of the land, communities and the industry
for generations to come.
While taking care of the environment is a key element of
sustainability, promoting the well-being of employees and the
community is equally important. Following California Governor Newsom's statewide order
for Californians to stay at home to help curtail the spread of
coronavirus (COVID-19), California
wineries have suspended all public tastings and events. While
essential winery and vineyard production and business operations as
well as purchase and pick-up of wine are permitted, this directive
presents challenges for the state's predominantly small,
family-owned operations. However, vintners recognize that this is
the right thing to do.
In previous years, California
wineries have celebrated Down to Earth Month, now in its ninth
year, by offering sustainability focused events across the state.
This year, many of California's
sustainable wineries are offering special discounts on wine and
shipping fees. Wine consumers can still enjoy their favorite
California wines at home and
support wineries during this challenging time by ordering from
winery websites, purchasing and picking up at wineries or signing
up for wine clubs.
Visit the Down to Earth Month page on Discover California
Wines to see the latest offers.
California is a global leader
in sustainable winegrowing and home to one of the world's most
widely adopted sustainable winegrowing programs in terms of both
winegrape acreage and case production. As of 2019, 149 wineries
producing more than 85% of California's total wine production are
Certified California Sustainable. See the California
Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance website for lists of certified
wineries, vineyards and wines. In terms of vineyards, 44% of
statewide wine acreage is certified by Certified California
Sustainable and by other state sustainability programs, including
Lodi Rules, Napa Green and Sustainability in Practice (SIP). All of
these programs play an important role in the California wine community's efforts to produce
high quality wine that is environmentally sound, socially equitable
and economically feasible.
Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public
policy advocacy group of 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses
that initiates and advocates state, federal and international
public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible
production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. The organization
works to enhance the economic and environmental health of the state
through its leadership in sustainable winegrowing and a partnership
with Visit California to showcase California's wine and food offerings and the
state as a top travel destination.
The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
(CSWA) is a nonprofit organization established by Wine
Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers. CSWA
promotes the benefits of sustainable practices, enlists industry
commitment, implements the Sustainable Winegrowing Program, and
administers Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing – a
third-party certification program for California vineyards, wineries and wines that
adheres to international sustainability standards.
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SOURCE Wine Institute