Once you’ve committed to being a sustainable, values-based business how do you engage your whole team and make it a part of your DNA? As you implement leading sustainable and climate action practices how do you best communicate these achievements to guests, retailers and distributors? How have other industry leaders approached PR campaigns and what have they learned?
During this Salon, Kelli A. White, Director of Education for the Wine Center at Meadowood, will lead the conversation. Sarah Unger, Co-Founder of CULTIQUE, will share examples of how their cultural analysis has transformed management and communications strategies; Linzi Gay, President of Clif Family Winery & Farm, will share how they build internal community and support the broader community; and Janie Brooks Heuck, Managing Director of Brooks Winery, in the Willamette Valley, will share how they’ve used data and feedback to get employees and guests engaged in their sustainability story.
Kelli A. White is the Director of Education for the Wine Center at Meadowood in Napa Valley. Prior to that, her work as a sommelier, first at New York City’s Veritas and then at PRESS in St. Helena, has been covered by many of the wine industry’s top publications, and in 2013 she was named one of Food & Wine’s top sommeliers in the country. Her writing has appeared in World of Fine Wine, GuildSomm, Robb Report, Sommelier Journal, Le Pan, and Vinous, among others. At Vinous, Kelli was a key member of the maps team, and worked with famed Italian cartographer Alessandro Masnaghetti to map many of the appellations of Napa Valley. In 2011, she co-founded a small wine brand called Houndstooth and she also made a brief appearance in 2015’s documentary Somm II: Into the Bottle. Her book, Napa Valley, Then & Now, was released in November of 2015 and has received enormous critical acclaim, winning both the IACP award for Best New Wine, Beer, or Spirits Book and a Graphis design award. In October of 2016, Kelli led a wine tasting seminar at Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women’s Summit in Laguna Niguel, CA. Between 2017 and 2019 she worked as Senior Staff Writer at the educational nonprofit GuildSomm, where her writing won her two coveted Roederer Awards. She was nominated for Sommelier/Wine Director of the Year (2017) by Wine Enthusiast magazine, who then named her a top 40 Under 40 wine influencer in 2018. On the book front, she contributed to the most recent additions of the World Atlas of Wine and the Oxford Companion to Wine, as well as the Academie du Vin Press works On California and On Champagne as well as the forthcoming On Burgundy
Sarah Unger is the Co-Founder of CULTIQUE, a cultural insights and strategy consultancy. Led by Unger and Founder/CEO Linda Ong, the premium boutique crafts bespoke cultural POVs for forward-looking businesses in media, entertainment, tech and consumer spaces. Launched in Fall 2020, CULTIQUE unites thought leaders, industry disruptors, academics, creatives and experts to maximize the impact of brands, content, and products in a world of constant change.
An award-winning cultural expert, Unger and her team of analysts are devoted to working with businesses such as AMEX GBT, Airbnb, YouTube, Apple, WarnerMedia, Disney/ABC, and NBCU navigate fast-changing times, recalibrate for new audiences, and cultivate growth in an uncertain world. Unger was named Media Play News’ 40 Under 40 list in October 2019 and has been a frequent commentator in media such as Forbes, Fortune, The Atlantic, and The Daily Beast.
Portland native Janie Brooks Heuck spent more than a decade in the health care industry before finding herself responsible for the business operations at Brooks Winery. Struck by the generosity and guidance from the Oregon wine community after her brother Jimi’s passing, Janie quickly realized the importance of Jimi’s lifework and has been keeping the Brooks boat afloat since 2004. Janie is passionate about Brooks, family, travel, and Riesling. She loves to golf, sail, work out, and take photos when she isn’t working. Her karaoke song is “Rapper’s Delight,” which is also Brooks Wine’s winemaker, Chris Williams’ karaoke song, yet none of us have witnessed either one of them on the mic. Can someone say duet?!
Linzi Gay has 18 years of experience in the Wine & Spirits industry. Receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, Linzi went on to begin her marketing career in Brand Management at Clif Bar & Company. Having grown up in the Napa Valley, she returned to her roots in 2004 to learn the wine business working on some of the largest wine brands in the Napa Valley. In 2007, she returned to the Clif Family and their recent startup wine and food business. She has spent the last 16 years in a leadership role at the company, transitioning to President in 2022. She is an active member of the Wine Women GM Forum, an organization that supports and empowers women in the wine industry and serves on the boards of the Howell Mountain Vintners and Growers Association, the Oak Knoll District Growers Association and the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce.
If you haven’t heard, we confirmed our Marquee keynotes for the final fireworks day of RISE on May 8. Not one but TWO incredibly insightful and inspiring leaders. Dr. Renee Lertzman is a specialist in climate emotions and has a TED Talk with more than 2.4 million views! “How to turn climate anxiety into action” is a great lead in to RISE.
Finn Does is a youth climate activist who at just 19 years old has already helped lead thousands of students in organizing for climate action. He also thinks deeply about how we practice self-care and prevent burnout as we face the long-game of advocating for change.
They’ll each give a powerful talk, and then sit down for a cross-generational conversation about supporting personal and collective action. This is just one incredible element of RISE.
Don’t miss these voices and this community. As we gather and listen and hatch new plans we gain momentum.
🌎 Happy Earth Day! With all that is happening in the world today, we warmly invite you to come get involved and connect directly with a strong community focused on meaningful climate action.
We know it can be overwhelming, but we also know change starts small and it starts with community. We can’t wait to see your smiling faces at RISE starting next Tuesday, April 29th at @charleskrugwinery!
Tix may be found at www.risegreen.org or at the link in bio and Napa Green Members get a 15% discount. See you there.
#wineindustry #climateaction #winesymposium #winebusiness #napavalley #sustainability #winecountry #napa #winelife
Congratulations to @grgichhills for receiving the RISE Leadership award for Soil Health and Biodiversity!
Join us on May 1 @risegreenwine when fViolet Grgich accepts the award for their holistic approach to regenerative farming and economic analysis showing the financial value of collaborating with nature.
Thank you for your exceptional leadership!
#climateaction #biodiversity #soilhealth #climatesmartwine #winesymposium #regenerativeag #regenerativefarming
Can forest and creek restoration create localized climate cooling?
Join leaders in ecological restoration, climate action, and community engagement to learn more.
May 8, 2025 at Charles Krug.
Ticket link in bio.
#climateaction #forestrestoration #creekrestoration #wineindustry #winebusiness
Why is RISE so important?
Check out what @abrittain, the co-founder of @risegreenwine and the Executive Director of @napagreen has to say.
Hear more at the RISE Climate & Wine Symposium April 29-May 1 and May6-May 8 at the @charleskrugwinery.
#climateaction #wineindustry #sustainabilityinaction #winebusiness #regenerativeag
Congratulations to @domainecarneros for receiving the RISE Leadership award for Energy Efficiency & Savings!
Join us on April 30 @risegreenwine to hear about their cutting edge micro grid and investments in renewable energy with a clear ROI.
Thank you for your exceptional leadership!
#climateaction #climatesmartwine #renewableenergy #wineaymposium #energyefficient #saveenergy
Huge thanks to @mcecleanenergyfor being an Exclusive Event Sponsor of @risegreenwine symposium since day one! Their support has been instrumental in making our action-oriented content and emissions and cost reducing results a reality.
#sustainabiltyinaction #climateaction #energyefficiency #greenenergy #renewableenergy
Do consumers care about sustainability and climate action?
Most consumers want to support values-driven brands, but they struggle to identify responsible products at point of purchase.
Join us on May 7, 2025 to explore how wineries can leverage growing consumer demand for business transparency and trusted, responsible products and hear the opportunities and challenges in communicating sustainability.
Ticket link in bio.
#climateaction #wineindustry #winebusiness #winesymposium #sustainablewine #climatesmartwine #sustainabilityinaction
Congratulations to @cliffamily for receiving the RISE Leadership award for Supply Chain & Waste Prevention!
Join us on May 7 @risegreenwine to hear about the results of their packaging emissions inventory and receive their award.
Thank you for your exceptional leadership!
#climateaction #supplychain #climatesmartwine #winesymposium
Tune in to listen to Napa Green`s Anna Brittain, on Andrea Robinson`s Youtube Livestream, Quench - April 16th at 5:00 pm PST.
Andrea and Anna will discuss what sustainability in wine really means, how to know what to look for as a consumer and how to control how we spend our consumption dollars.
Andrea will feature 3 award winning wines from Napa Valley`s own @chandonusa - this year`s 2025 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Environment Award, as well as @pineridgewine and @cliffamily, both @napagreen certified wineries.
Follow the link in our bio and subscribe to Quench on Youtube!
#earthmonth #earthday #pineridgevineyards #pineridgeCBV #chandon #napavalley #cliffamilywinery #visitnapavalley
Congratulations to @boeschenvineyards for receiving the RISE Leadership award for Social Justice, Diversity and Inclusion.
Join us on May 6 @risegreenwine to hear about their outstanding commitment to worker disaster insurance and hazard pay from Doug Boeschen in a TED Talk style presentation.
Thank you for your exceptional leadership!
#climateaction #socialjustice #socialequity #dei #climatesmartwine #winesymposium
Does diversity improve business performance and resilience? The answer is a resounding, YES! Diversity enhances innovation, market reach and organizational resilience.
Hear an evidenced based discussion of how diversity strengthens business success and adaptability.
Join us May 6, 2025.
Ticket link in bio.
#wineindustry #sustainabilty #climateaction #regenerativeag #regenerativeagriculture #wineandclimate #climateandwine #regenerativevineyard #soilhealth #carbonfarming #winesymposium #diversity #dei
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