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Chris Benz | Napa Valley Register
The changing climate is a major threat to Napa Valley’s wine industry. Atmospheric rivers can flood vineyards, damage budding vines, and erode soils. Fewer winter frosts can encourage the spread of pests. Extreme heat can shrivel crops and push the acids in the fruit out of balance. Wildfire smoke can taint the grapes and leave them unsaleable. These factors not only drive up the price of production, but ultimately could affect the viability of grape production itself.
In response, grape growers and winemakers are increasingly seeking to explore and deploy new strategies for resilience. To support these efforts, Napa Green, a local nonprofit that promotes and certifies environmentally sound wine production in the county, is hosting the Napa RISE Climate and Wine Symposium. RISE stands for Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, Empowerment.
The symposium (www.RiseGreen.org), open to the public, will take place at the Charles Krug Winery Carriage House, spanning six half-days over three weeks, starting April 5. Morning sessions will cover a wide range of sustainability topics: energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste prevention, supply chains, proactive farming, soil health and biodiversity, social justice, diversity and inclusion, climate resilience and regenerative farming.
Napa Green, winner of Napa Climate NOW!’s 2022 Climate Champion award in the community organization category, has planned the symposium as a place for growers and vintners to get inspired, connect with mentors and identify actionable resources on best practices and technologies.
Anna Brittain, executive director for Napa Green and co-founder of RISE, said, “When Martin Reyes, MW, and I were conceptualizing the inaugural 2022 event, then called THRIVES, we wanted a new type of changemaking symposium – moving past education and inspiration to provide the tools and incentives to take action and make impact.
“We have mentors and mentees who will be working together well after the events. Show-and-Tell workshops will provide tangible, cutting-edge tools and practices for near-term implementation, not to mention the sustainability leadership roadmap provided by Napa Green Winery and Vineyard certifications.”
RISE will kick off with a keynote by Jancis Robinson, MW, an international wine writer and author of “The World Atlas of Wine.” Robinson, an advocate for ambitious climate action in the industry, said, “RISE aims to provide real, practical help.”
The line-up will include more than 60 speakers. Some headliners include Mimi Casteel (Hope Well Wine), Maryam Ahmed (Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum), and Michael Silacci (Opus One Winery). Nikki Silvestri of Soil and Shadow will join Tod Mostero of Dominus Estate in conversation about how to cultivate diversity and inclusion.
“We have a powerful leadership platform in Napa County,” said Brittain. “We make arguably the premier agricultural product. The standard we set can galvanize aspirational climate action in the global wine industry and beyond.”
Attendees on most days will choose from two options: an off-site mentorship workshop or an onsite “Show & Tell” workshop, where they will learn practical methods for building climate smart, resilient businesses.
Topics will include establishing combined solar and battery microgrids; implementing precision irrigation; using sheep in the vineyard as natural lawnmowers and fertilizers; and using wine kegs and closed-loop refillable bottles to reduce packaging and carbon footprints.
“Last year, thanks to the Energy Efficiency event, I learned about several thousand dollars of rebates we could access from MCE for our EV charger installation project,” said Molly Burroughs, assistant winemaker and environmental manager at Spottswoode Estate.
“This year I will be mentoring another vintner on how transitioning to lighter-weight wine bottles can reduce a winery’s supply, shipping and distribution costs, and simultaneously reduce emissions.”
Find tickets at www.eventcreate.com/e/naparise.
Actions you can take:
Other local climate-focused events
— April 17, 5:30 p.m.: Democrats of Napa Valley Club zoom, “Napa County Moving Forward on Climate Action,” free. Register at napavalleydems.org/.
— April 19, 5 p.m.: Napa County League of Women Voters, “2023 Local Climate Priorities,” free, at the Napa County Library, 580 Coombs St., Napa.
— April 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Napa Earth Day Celebration, Oxbow Commons, FREE. https://napaenvironmentaled.org/earth-day/
Contributor Chris Benz is a retired winemaker and co-founder of Napa Climate NOW!
Napa Climate NOW! is a local non-profit citizens’ group advocating for smart climate solutions based on the latest climate science, part of 350 Bay Area. Info, napa.350bayarea.org
About Napa Green: The Napa Green 501c3 is a global leader in sustainable winegrowing, setting the highest bar for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry. Napa Green facilitates whole system soil to bottle certification for wineries and vineyards, and provides the expertise, boots-on-the-ground support, and resources to continually improve. Learn more at https://napagreen.org/participating-members/.
Anna Brittain
Napa Green
+1 805-636-3329
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Day 2 of our Growing Regenerative Viticulture event was amazing!
We learned about the onsite regenerative practices from @bedrockmorgan and @j_neustadt, heard the technical side of how these practices work from @chuckschembre, learned sampling techniques from @soilrainandhope, and saw the data and insights from @sectormentor and @grape_cowboy.
Thanks to all who attended and to @bedrockwines for hosting!
➡️ To learn more about regenerative vineyard practices or to enroll in either the One Block Challenge or Napa Green Vineyard certification, head to the links in our bio.
#regenerativeag #climateaction #vineyardmanagement #oneblockchallenge #napagreen #regenerativeviticulture #soilhealth #biodiversity #carbonfarming
Today @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture proudly launched the One Block Challenge in Napa, an initiative to encourage winegrowers to adopt regenerative viticulture practices on a manageable scale.
We heard from an incredible group of regenerative agriculture experts, practitioners, and leaders who shared valuable insights and success stories.
Thanks to our attendees, @opusonewinery for hosting, and our exceptional speakers: @chuckschembre @stephen_de_mirabeau @cainethompson @soilrainandhope @forrestellab and @hilarysgraves.
➡️ Visit the link in our bio to sign up for the One Block Challenge or learn more!
#regenerativeag #climateaction #vineyardmanagement #oneblockchallenge #napagreen #regenerativeviticulture #soilhealth #biodiversity #carbonfarming
Applications for the California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards 2026 awards are now open!
California’s wine industry is a global leader in sustainable practices due to the dedication of its vineyards and wineries in setting high standards for: 🍇 Environmental stewardship
🍇 Being a responsible employer and community member
🍇 Implementing innovative and sustainable business practices
We invite you to apply for the California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards to highlight your excellence!
Apply Now at greenmedal.org/apply.
#CAGreenMedal #SustainableWine #WineIndustry #Sustainability #SustainableWinegrowing
#CaliforniaGreenMedal #WineBusiness #Wine
What Do Consumers Ask Winemakers Most Often? Chimney Rock Has Some Answers
We love this @grapecollective conversation with @elizvianna, the Winemaker and GM @chimneyrockwinery!
#sustainablewine #winetasting #winebusiness #regenerativeag
We are thrilled to be nominated for the @napachamberofcommerce Community Benefit Organization of the Year!
🗳️ Cast your vote daily from now until November 21st. Link in bio!
#nonprofit #napavalley #chamberofcommerce
Congratulations to @phiferpavittwine on achieving both @napagreen Vineyard and Winery recertification!
Phifer Pavitt has mindfully cultivated a thriving ecosystem where every element - from insects and plants to earthly materials - serves a purpose and repurpose.
We invite you to book a tasting to explore their innovative Eco Barn, serene pollinator garden, and exemplary environmental stewardship practices. When you visit, you will discover wines that not only capture a sense of place but also embody a living testament to regenerative farming from soil to bottle.
#sustainablewine #climatesmart #napavalleywine #napavalley #winebusiness #sustainablewinery #wineindustry #sustainablebusiness #womenownedwinery #landstewardship #environmentalstewardship #regenerativeag
Congratulations to the 2025 @winebusinessmonthly Wine Industry Leaders!
We`re thrilled to see many of our members, partners, speakers, sponsors, and community leaders recognized for their innovative contributions and leadership in the wine industry!
Special thanks to @napavintners President and CEO, Linda Reiff, for championing environmental efforts in the Napa Valley wine industry by establishing the @napagreen program!
#winebusiness #wineindustry #environmentalstewardship #napavalleywine #napavalley
@tressabores is a truly climate smart winery. They hold both the Napa Green Vineyard and Napa Green Winery Certifications, with a holistic focus on regenerative and organic farming.
In partnership with @napagreen, Tres Sabores launched the “Circle of Sustainers” award program as a way to recognize guest’s support of the sustainable winery. The tasting fees from each selected guest’s experience will be donated in their name to support ongoing sustainability efforts by Napa Green in the Valley.
Book your visit now for a truly unforgettable sustainable winery experience.
📷 @soilrainandhope @tressabores @buddsocial
#sustainablewine #climatesmart #napavalleywine #napavalley #winebusiness #sustainablewinery #wineindustry #sustainablebusiness #winetasting #regenerativefarming #comeoveroctober
Congratulations to @fiordisolewines on achieving @napagreen Winery Certification. Fior di Sole – “Flower of the sun” – is a family-owned and operated wine company located in the heart of Napa Valley, producing exceptional quality wines from Napa and throughout California.
Fior Di Sole is committed to minimizing environmental impact and fostering a healthier planet for future generations. They provide comprehensive wine services, managing the entire process from concept creation, packaging design, winemaking, purchasing, compliance, quality assurance, and bottling, all while prioritizing sustainability.
#sustainablewine #climatesmart #napavalleywine #napavalley #winebusiness #sustainablewinery #wineindustry #sustainablebusiness
@napagreen we believe that every purchasing decision is an opportunity to make a positive impact. That’s why we actively encourage our members to carefully consider their choices, especially when it comes to branded merchandise. We are proud to partner with our sponsor, @jonahmarketing, a company that shares our commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.
We invite all Napa Green members and businesses committed to sustainability to reach out to Jonah Marketing for a custom consultation to help you curate a selection of sustainable merchandise that not only aligns with your brand but also authentically communicates your unique sustainability story to your clients, partners, and employees.
Every piece of branded merchandise you choose tells a story about your organization. Let’s tell a sustainable story together.
#winebusiness #greenbusiness #sustainablebusiness #greenpurchasing #purchasingpower #wineindustry
@napagreen`s Executive Director @abrittain is speaking at @sustainabilityindrinks in London on Tuesday, October 21!
The event brings together industry leaders and policymakers to address sustainability challenges. Anna will join a panel on Labour Standards Across the Supply Chain.
#sustainablebusiness #sustainablewine #conference
Check out our incredible lineup of speakers who will be sharing practical strategies for building soil health, enhancing agroecosystem resilience, and producing exceptional quality grapes!
Join the two-day deep dive workshop, Growing Regenerative Viticulture, on November 18 and 19, 2025 @opusonewinery and @bedrockwines.
Open to @napagreen members and anyone interested in growing their regenerative leadership.
Ticket link in bio. This event will sell out so get your tickets soon!
#climateaction #regenerativeag #regenerativefarming #viticulture #wineindustry #soilhealth #workshop
Congratulations on achieving @napagreen Winery Certification to @camomiwinery, a family owned winery heartcrafting exceptional wines in the Napa Valley!
The @fiordisolewines facility, where they produce their wines, is not only water and energy efficient, they also maintain rigorous recycling standards. Beyond that, the bottling line is certified by @ccoforganic, ensuring that the production processes meet stringent organic standards.
#sustainablewine #climatesmart #napavalleywine #napavalley #winebusiness #sustainablewinery #wineindustry #sustainablebusiness
@napagreen has been a proud @1percentftp Environmental Partner since 2020!
Businesses and individuals can support Napa Green’s critical work in climate action, regenerative carbon farming, and social equity within the wine industry through 1% For The Planet’s environmental giving platform.
We are grateful to 1% For The Planet’s dedication to brining businesses and environment organizations together to support people and the planet!
Thank you to our 1% For The Planet Business partners @spottswoodewinery @patagonia @anarchistwineco and @mp_egan39!
#climateaction #regenerativeag #climatesmart #nonprofit #onepercentfortheplanet #environmentalgiving #socialequity
Congratulations @bellaunionwine on achieving @napagreen Winery recertification!
Powered by @mcecleanenergy Deep Green 100% Renewable Energy, Bella Union believes in minimizing their environmental impact, maximizing care for their ecosystems, and making a difference in the lives of their employees and community.
Explore their beautiful tasting room, featuring an artist-in-residence program, and discover the passion and quality in every glass.
#sustainablewine #climatesmart #winetasting #napavalleywine #napavalley #winebusiness #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery
Congratulations to these @napagreen Certified Members for winning the @greatwinecapitals Napa Valley Regional Best of Wine Tourism Awards!
🌟@sterlingvineyards for Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences
🌟 @chandonusa for Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices
🌟 @cliffamily for Culinary Experiences
Thank you for your commitment to excellence and sustainability!
#visitnapa #visitnapavalley #winetasting #ecotourism #climatesmartwine #sustainablewine #sustainablewines #winecountry
