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Celebrate California Sustainable Winegrowing During Down to Earth Month in April

Details: Dozens of Eco-Friendly Winery Events Statewide

California wineries are raising awareness of their green, sustainable practices with April events, such as the hands-on sustainability seminar at Captain Vineyards in San Francisco's East Bay.

SAN FRANCISCO—Wine consumers' thoughts turn to “green” this spring during California’s 5th Annual Down to Earth Month in April. Celebrating California’s world leadership in sustainable winegrowing all month long, wineries will host dozens of sustainability-focused events and activities, from Earth Day wine festivals and horseback rides and hikes though green vineyards to Passport Days, VIP eco-tours, wildlife talks, green wine trails and more. Created by Wine Institute—the association of nearly 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses—Down to Earth Month raises awareness about California’s Sustainable Winegrowing Program, one of the most comprehensive and widely adopted in the world involving vineyards that grow 70 percent of winegrapes and wineries that produce 80 percent of all California wine, a remarkable accomplishment for the world’s fourth-largest wine producer. “People are interested in how their wines are grown and made, and our Down to Earth Month celebration is a way for wine consumers to learn about California’s world leadership in sustainable winegrowing. A majority of the state’s wineries and vineyards embrace sustainable practices, reflecting a major trend in California’s wine community.” said Bobby Koch, president and CEO of Wine Institute. A joint resolution by the California Legislature proclaiming April 2016 as “Down to Earth Month” in California has been introduced to celebrate the sustainable leadership of California wineries and winegrape growers. Here are some of the ways you can join in the fun. More events are being posted at www.discovercaliforniawines.com/d2e. North Coast In Mendocino—a place of rocky coasts, fog and redwoods—Party for the Planet will be held April 16-25 featuring organic gardening demos, musical performances, organic foods and sustainably-made wines from local purveyors and farmers, and lodging specials. On April 23, visit world-renown Napa Valley wineries and restaurants, and stop by the Earth Day Festival in Downtown Napa. Enjoy local wines and foods, local bands and kids’ activities. Napa Valley Vintners, a sponsor of the event, has committed to having all wineries 100 percent certified Napa Green by 2020. Sonoma County Winegrowers has also made a commitment to being 100 percent sustainable by 2019. A great way to see their commitment first hand is at the Dry Creek Valley Passport Weekend April 23-24. More than 45 wineries are offering food and wine tasting, and vineyard tours that offer a closer look at their winegrowing practices. San Francisco Bay Area The San Francisco Bay Area is famous for its scenic beauty, and top-rated restaurants. The Livermore Valley wine region, about 45 minutes east of San Francisco, Gets Down to Earth the weekend of April 22-24 with wineries hosting guided tastings and earth-focused events. Visitors can also take vineyard and winery tours to learn about energy conservation, solar power and sustainable methods for pest, soil and plant management—such as hawks, owls and baby doll sheep. South in the Santa Cruz Mountains wine region, more than 50 wineries will offer special tastings during its Passport Day on April 16, one of four times a year when wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains come together to offer their wines. Sierra Foothills The Sierra Foothills wine region offers some of California’s highest elevation vineyards. El Dorado Wine Association’s 25th Annual Passport Event takes place April 9-10 and April 16-17 and is a chance to explore 20 of the region’s wineries and visit with their winemakers. Central Coast On California’s Central Coast, known for dramatic beaches, farms, ranches, the Earth Day Food & Wine Festival on April 23 offers a fun, casual experience with more than 200 growers, vintners and chefs serving local wines and foods with music, dancing and more. This event strives for Zero Waste; last year they generated less than two pounds of trash for over 1,500 visitors! Southern California In Southern California’s Temecula wine region, South Coast Winery will host its annual Blessing of the Vines on April 10. This event includes great wines, a buffet of farm-to-table locally-sourced food and tours through the vineyards. Or embark on Ponte Estate’s electric bus and tour their 310-acre ranch, then visit their winemaking facility to learn about the art and science of sustainable winemaking, followed by a taste from a giant oak cask. California Sustainable Winegrowing California is a world leader in sustainable winegrowing practices. The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), established by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers more than a decade ago, received the governor’s top environmental award for increasing adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices in California. More than 2,000 wineries and vineyards in California participate in the CSWA program. Wineries and vineyards around the state have taken an extra step by earning Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing status verified by a third-party auditor through CSWA. Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing and other statewide and regional programs such as Bay Area Green Business Program, Fish Friendly Farming, Lodi Rules, Napa Green and Sustainability in Practice (SIP) play vital roles in the California wine community’s successful efforts to produce high quality wine that is environmentally sound, economically feasible and socially responsible. To learn more, visit: www.discovercaliforniawines.com/sustainable-winegrowing. Explore all of the Down to Earth Month activities at www.discovercaliforniawines.com/d2e and check out the California Wines Green Tour video. # # #MEDIA CONTACTS: Wine Institute Communications Dept. 415/356-7525 [email protected] 2016 Down To Earth Events, Tours and Offers in California Wine Country Check www.discovercaliforniawines.com for updates as events are being added continuously. Listing as of 3/22/16 NORTH COAST Earth Month at Alpha Omega April 1-30, 2016 Time: 10:00 am-6:00 pm Cost: Complimentary Alpha Omega Winery, St. Helena, Napa Valley 707/963-9999, [email protected] Enjoy a complimentary tasting for two when you arrive in a hybrid or electric vehicle. A Taste of Spring Dinner at Jordan April 9, 2016 Time: 5:30 pm-9:30 pm Cost: $295 Jordan Vineyard, Healdsburg, Sonoma County 800-654-1213, [email protected] Celebrate the arrival of spring with a lavish tasting menu dinner. In the spirit of Earth month, each course showcases spring ingredients from our garden and local farms, paired with Jordan Russian River Valley wines. Mendocino's Party for the Planet April 16-25, 2016 Time: 10:00 am-5:00pm Cost: Varies Various locations throughout Mendocino County 707/734-0177, [email protected] You're invited to celebrate the “green-ness” of Mendocino County at the 4th Annual Party for the Planet. Barra of Mendocino Organic Wine and Olive Oil Tasting April 22-23, 2016 Time: 10:00 am-5:00 pm Cost: Free Barra of Mendocino, Redwood Valley 707/485-0322, [email protected] In honor of Earth Day, BARRA of Mendocino will be hosting an organic olive oil tasting with their organic wines. Earth Day Napa April 23, 2016 Time: 11:00 am-4:00 pm Cost: Free Oxbow Commons, Napa [email protected] Featuring exhibits, food, live entertainment, kids activities – and of course, wine. Passport to Dry Creek Valley April 23-24, 2016 Time: Varies Cost: $55-$135 Venues throughout Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County 707/433-3031 Tastings, food and wine pairings, and a vineyard tours, highlighting how sustainability operates in the vineyards. Spring Vineyard Hike April 30, 2016 Time: 9:45 am -2:00 pm Cost: $75 Jordan Winery, Healdsburg, Sonoma County 800-654-1213, [email protected] Celebrate Earth Month with a Jordan Vineyard & Winery hiking excursion, featuring mountain views, wildlife, vineyards, lakes, wine tasting and more. SAN FRANCISCO SOUTH & EAST BAYS, SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS Cooper Garrod Walk with the Winemaker April 2, 2016 Time: 11:00 am Cost: Free Cooper Garrod Estate Vineyards & Silver Mountain Vineyards, Santa Clara County 408/867-7116, [email protected] Go from grape to glass and find out about this Certified Sustainable estate vineyard and winery. Passport Day at Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards April 16, 2016 Time: 11:00 am-5:00 pm Cost: $10/person tasting fee Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, Saratoga, Santa Clara County 408/867-7116, [email protected] Sustainable winegrower Cooper-Garrod offers antipasti by the Picnic Guild alongside estate wine. Silicon Valley Wine Auction April 16, 2016 Time: Noon-4 pm Cost: $90-$125 Levi Stadium, Santa Clara This charity auction benefits education and highlights wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Eco Tour at Cooper-Garrod Estates April 23, 2016 Time: Saturdays at 10:00 am-noon Cost: Free Cooper Garrod Estate Vineyards & Silver Mountain Vineyards, Santa Clara County 408/867-7116, [email protected] Join the Eco-Tour with local expert Bill Bosworth and learn a little more about where the grapes are grown. Patrali Paul Art Show & Wine Tasting at Cooper-Garrod April 23, 2016 Time: 11:00 am-5:00 pm Cost: $10/tasting fee Cooper Garrod Estate Vineyards, Saratoga, Santa Clara County 408/867-7116, [email protected] Celebrate Earth Day as Cooper-Garrod features a single-artist show by Patrali Paul Wines & Vines Class at Captain Vineyards April 17, 2016 Time: 1:00 pm-3:00 pm Cost: $43 Captain Vineyards, Moraga, Contra Costa County 925/631-0714 Captain Vineyards, the first green winery in Contra Costa County, will show you how wine is processed using green and sustainable practices. Barrel tasting and cheese pairing included. Passport Day Santa Cruz Mountains April 16, 2016 Time: Varies Cost: $55 Wineries throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains 831/ 685-8463, [email protected] Four times a year the winegrowing community of the Santa Cruz Mountains comes together to celebrate the farmers, vintners and families of the Santa Cruz Mountains wine region. Livermore Valley Gets Down To Earth April 22 – 24, 2016 Time: Varies Cost: Varies Various locations throughout Livermore Valley 925/447-9463, [email protected] On April 22 – 24th, wineries across the region will highlight sustainable winegrowing and winemaking practices used to craft Livermore Valley’s award-winning wines. B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bottle) April 17, 2016 Time: 12:00 pm-4:30 pm Cost: $9.99/bottle Page Mill Winery, Livermore 925/456-7676, [email protected] Recycling is good, reusing is better! Bring in your old/clean 750 ml wine bottle and fill it up with Recovery Red. SACRAMENTO & INLAND VALLEYS Lodi Wine & Food Festival April 2, 2016 Time: Varies Cost: $50-$60 Ole Mettler Grape Pavilion, Lodi Located in Lodi, Wine Enthusiast’s 2015 Wine Region of the Year. Single Vineyard Night hosted by Russian River Valley Winegrowers April 7, 2016 Time: VIP entrance 5pm, general public, 6pm Cost: $60-$90 Tsakapoulos Library Galleria, Sacramento 707/521-2534, [email protected] More than 20 winemakers and winegrowers — including sustainably-focused J Vineyards & Winery and MacRostie Winery and Vineyards — will be pouring small-lot, single vineyard wines from the Russian River Valley SOUTH CENTRAL COAST Central Coast Earth Day Food & Wine Weekend April 22-24, 2015 Time: Varies Cost: Varies Various locations throughout the Central Coast [email protected] The Earth Day Food & Wine Weekend celebrates the Central Coast region’s sustainable food and wine culture. Central Coast Earth Day Food & Wine Main Event April 23, 2016 Time: 1:00 pm-4:00 pm Cost: $75-$115 Castoro Cellars, San Luis Obispo County 805/466-2288, [email protected] Fine wine, craft beers, delectable foods, live music Earth Day Food & Wine has become the acclaimed culinary experience of the Central Coast with a sophisticated array of farmers, chefs, and winemakers gathering with guests under the oaks. SIERRA FOOTHILLS El Dorado Passport April 9-17, 2016 Time: Varies Cost: $20-$95 Venues throughout El Dorado County 800/306-3956, [email protected] Access to 20-plus participating wineries. Vino Noceto’s 16th Annual Open House April 16, 2016 Time: 11 am-4 pm Cost: $20/per person Vino Noceto, Plymouth, Amador County Enjoy a gourmet lunch, wine and music at this sustainable vineyard and winery. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Ponte Winery Vineyard Estate Tour April 1-30, 2016 Time: Varies Cost: $32-$40 Ponte Winery, Temecula, Riverside County 951/694-8855, [email protected] Tour a sustainable, working winery by electric bus. Blessing of the Vines April 10, 2016 Time: 4pm – 7pm Cost: Contact South Coast Winery Resort & Spa South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula, Riverside County 951/587-9463 x350 This fun event includes great wines, buffet of farm-to-table locally-sourced food, unlimited games with vine-based prizes and tours through the sustainable vineyards.