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Get “Down to Earth” with California Wines this April with Fun Events and Activities
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Sustainable Winegrowing and Winemaking
SAN FRANCISCO — Think California wine is just red, white or rosé? It’s time to discover how “green” it is, too. Wine Institute has created California Wines: Down to Earth Month, a month-long, statewide celebration of California’s leadership in sustainable winegrowing and winemaking, featuring practices that are environmentally and socially responsible. This April marks the campaign’s second year.
Wineries across the state will engage consumers, policy leaders, media and trade with fun, sustainably focused festivities to learn about California wine’s eco-friendly practices and the people and places behind them. From Earth Day festivals and “green wine trails” to dog-friendly vineyard hikes, wildlife talks, horseback rides and eco-tours, the state's wineries will highlight being green this April.
“Wine lovers can do more than taste; they can experience where and how wines are grown and made with our green-themed events this April,” said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, President and CEO of Wine Institute. “We have made a long-term commitment to sustainability. Wineries and vineyards that produce nearly two-thirds of California’s winegrapes and wine participate in our California Sustainable Winegrowing program with more than 10,000 attending educational workshops since the program’s inception a decade ago. The scale of accomplishment is remarkable, as California is the world’s fourth-largest wine producer.”
Down to Earth Month features a wide variety of events for visitors to enjoy. In Napa, Down to Earth with Napa Green Certified Wineries is a fun way to learn about green design, conservation and creative re-use as well as attend related tasting events April 19-21. San Luis Obispo County’s FarmFest on the Coast on April 26-27 will offer local, sustainably grown wine and edibles at Dinosaur Caves Park overlooking the ocean in Pismo Beach. Central Coast wineries are offering an Earth Day Food & Wine Festival on April 20 with more than 200 growers, vintners and chefs serving local wines and foods with music, dancing and more. The Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association Passport Day celebrates its earth-friendly wine region with organic wine trails, barrel samples and special tasting flights on April 20 to support Save Our Shores, a nonprofit dedicated to clean beaches. Livermore Valley wineries are highlighting sustainable winegrowing and winemaking with special “Down to Earth” tours and tastings on April 21, and Mendocino wineries are offering Where the Earth IS First Fest April 19-28 where visitors will enjoy a host of eco-friendly activities and enjoy organic wine and food. From April 1-30 in Northern Sonoma County, the Green Trail of Dry Creek Valley offers a special, customized experience exploring the region’s certified organic and certified biodynamic wineries. Explore all of the Down to Earth Month activities at www.discovercaliforniawines.com/d2e. And while you browse the site, enjoy a new sustainability video at www.discovercaliforniawines.com.
In addition to sustainability goals, California wine contributes $61.5 billion to the state’s economy, attracts more than 21 million tourists annually, generates 820,000 jobs nationwide of which 330,000 are in California, as vintners and growers keep their farms and wineries family owned for future generations.
California is a world leader in sustainable winegrowing practices. The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) Code of best practices has been used by 1,800 wineries and vineyards to evaluate the sustainability of their operations, representing 72 percent of California’s winegrape acreage and 74 percent of the state’s wine shipments. 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/d2e.
in California Wine Country as events are being added continuously. To view winery events by region, click here (PDF) |
Recycle in April for $1 off Cougar Wine
April 1 - 30, 2013
Cougar Vineyard & Winery
Temecula Valley
951-491-0825, [email protected]
www.cougarvineyards.com
Bring in your empty bottles of Cougar wine and receive $1 off for each bottle towards your same-day wine purchase.
Complimentary Tasting in April for Every 20 Recycled Corks
April 1 - 30, 2013
Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
Santa Barbara County
805-937-8340, [email protected]
www.riverbench.com
Riverbench is offering one complimentary tasting per bag of 20 used corks or capsules.
Green Trail of Dry Creek Valley
April 1 - 30, 2013
Time: 12 pm - 5 pm
Cost: Tasting fees at participating wineries apply
Quivira and Ridge-Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley
Northern Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley AVA
707-433-3031, [email protected]
Enjoy a special, customized experience in Dry Creek Valley to experience the area's certified organic and certified biodynamic wineries.
Wine Growers of Dry Creek Valley
Organic Wine Trail of the Santa Cruz Mountains Celebrates 'Down to Earth' Month
April 5 - 28, 2013
Time: 12pm - 5pm
Cost: Tasting fee: $5 - $10
Cooper-Garrod, Silver Mountain, Alfaro Family Vineyards
Santa Cruz Mountains
408-353-2278, [email protected]
www.organicwinetrail.org
Visit the Organic Wine Trail of the Santa Cruz Mountains to learn more about sustainable and organic practices while touring and tasting.
Vineyards & Horses Dreampower Benefit
April 6 - 7, 2013
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Satori Cellars, Santa Clara Valley
408-848-5823, [email protected]
www.satoricellars.com
Satori is one of few wineries to let horses roam free in the vineyard. We’ll introduce the horses and host Dreampower, a local non-profit that utilizes horses to rehabilitate challenged children and veterans. www.dreampowerhorsemanship.com/.
Eco-ride through Organic Vineyards
April 6 - 28, 2013
Time: Weekends only; call for reservations
Cost: $183
Cooper-Garrod and Silver Mountain Wineries
Santa Cruz Mountains
408-867-9530, [email protected]
www.organicwinetrail.org
Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards and Silver Mountain Vineyards are offering an "Eco-ride" package every weekend in April that includes horseback ride, lunch with wine, and vineyard tour.
April Wildflower & Sustainability Tours with Ancient Peaks
April 6 - 27, 2013
Time: Every Saturday at 11am
Cost: $40
Ancient Peaks Winery
Paso Robles
805-365-7045, [email protected]
www.ancientpeaks.com
On every Saturday in April, Ancient Peaks Winery is offering personal guided wildflower and sustainability tours of its estate Margarita Vineyard on the historic Santa Margarita Ranch in the Paso Robles AVA.
Walk with the Winemaker
April 6, 2013
Time: 11am
Cost: Free tour; $5 tasting
Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards
Santa Cruz Mountains
408-867-8440, [email protected]
www.cgv.com
See CCOF Certified Organic vineyards and CCSW Certified Sustainable operations at Cooper-Garrod Estate Winery. Winemaker Bill Cooper takes you on a walk into Chardonnay vineyards before the crush pad and barrel room experience.
Earth Month: Herb & Flower Garden Walk
April 7, 2013
Time: 10:30am
Cost: $20
Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard
Santa Barbara County
805-688-3032, [email protected]
www.buttonwoodwinery.com
Join Abel Navarro on a tour of Buttonwood's Herb and Flower Garden, followed by herb-infused appetizers paired with Buttonwood wine. Go home with a potted herb plant and recipes.
Vineyards & Owls
April 13 - 14, 2013
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Cost: Free
Satori Cellars
Santa Clara Valley
408-848-5823, [email protected]
www.satoricellars.com
WERC (Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center) in Morgan Hill www.werc-ca.org will bring four owls and talk about the benefits of owls. Learn how to build and install an owl house of your own.
Sustainable Practices in the Vineyard: Hike and Picnic Lunch
April 13, 2013
Time: 10am - 1pm
Cost: $40 for members; $50 for non-members
Zaca Mesa Winery
Santa Barbara County
805-688-9339 x314, [email protected]
www.zacamesa.com
Hike with your dog through the vineyard with our winemaker, Eric Mohseni, and learn about sustainable practices. After the hike, enjoy a vineyard picnic lunch featuring Zaca Mesa wines.
Earth Month Orchard Walk
April 14, 2013
Time: 10:30am
Cost: $20
Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard
Santa Barbara County
805-688-3032, [email protected]
www.buttonwoodwinery.com
Join Fred Munch on a tour of Buttonwood’s labyrinth of orchards (pear, peaches, persimmons) and discuss organic farming practices, as well as the different wine varietals.
Down to Earth with Napa Green-Certified Wineries
April 19 - 21, 2013
Time: Various
Cost: Tasting fees may apply
Various Wineries
Napa Valley
707-968-4206, [email protected]
www.napavintners.com
Participating Napa Green wineries will be offering a variety of promotional activities for Earth Day weekend. To learn more, visit www.napavintners.com.
Where the Earth IS First Fest
April 19 - 28, 2013
Time: See website for specifics
Cost: Varies
Multiple wineries throughout Mendocino County
415-359-9755, [email protected]
www.earthdaymendocino.com
Visitors can take part in a host of eco-friendly activities to enjoy organic food & wine offerings and special lodging packages.
Earth Day Food & Wine Festival
April 20, 2013
Time: 1pm - 5pm
Cost: $50 - $115
San Luis Obispo County
Contact: Kyle Beal Womack,[email protected]
www.earthdayfoodandwine.com
7th-annual festival is a weekend celebrating the very best of the Central Coast. Feast on one-of-a-kind dishes made with locally-sourced foods. Live music, dancing and more!
Earth Day Celebration
April 20, 2013
Time: 11am - 2pm
Cost: $60 public; $50 club
Benziger Winery
Sonoma County
888-490-2739, [email protected]
www.benziger.com
Come celebrate Earth Day at Benziger. Enjoy a seated tasting and seminar in the Barn, followed by additional tasting on the Oak Terrace.
Celebrate Earth Day at Wente Vineyards
April 20 - 21, 2013
Time: 1pm and 3pm
Cost: $10 includes logo glass
Wente Vineyards
Livermore Valley
925-456-2405
www.wentevineyards.com
Audubon tour & tasting on Saturday 4/20 at 1pm and 3pm. On Sunday the 21st, tour our organic garden at 1pm and 3pm that will include hands-on activities. Bring in a full wine bag of used corks to receive a certificate for $25 off your $50 purchase (restrictions apply).
Santa Cruz Mountains Passport Day 2013
April 20, 2013
Time: 11am - 5pm
Cost: $45
Various wineries
Santa Cruz Mountains
www.scmwa.com/wsdevent/eventview/action/view/frmArticleID/19/
This month's Passport theme is a celebration of California Wines “Down to Earth Month”. Explore our viticultural region and our earth-friendly wines, organic wine trails, barrel samples, and special tasting flights to support “Save Our Shores”, a local non-profit dedicated to clean beaches.
Earth Day at Dutton-Goldfield Winery
April 20 - 21, 2013
Time: 10am - 4:30pm
Cost: Tasting fee waived with wine purchase
Dutton-Goldfield Winery
Sonoma County
707-861-9460
www.duttongoldfield.com
Learn about sustainable farming and eco-friendly winery practices while you enjoy award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Vineyard Walk & Brunch
April 21, 2013
Time: 10:30am
Cost: $35.00
Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard
Santa Barbara County
805-688-3032, [email protected]
www.buttonwoodwinery.com
Walk through our sustainably-farmed vineyard with winemaker Karen Steinwachs and soil guru Stan Kadota. Taste various varietals, learn about bud break, soils, cane pruning and why we farm the way we do. Concludes with brunch at the pond.
Down to Earth - Livermore Valley
April 21, 2013
Time: 2pm
Cost: Varies
Livermore Valley Wine Country
925-447-9463 x 4, [email protected]
www.LVwine.org
Tour organically farmed Livermore Valley vineyards; learn how wineries practice energy conservation and discover sustainable methods for pest, soil and plant management. Each earth-friendly celebration will conclude with a guided wine tasting.
Be Green at Crooked Vine Winery
April 21, 2013
Time: 2pm
Cost: Free
Crooked Vine Winery
Livermore Valley
925-449-0458, [email protected]
www.crookedvine.com
Everyone that visits by way of bike or other green transportation receives a complimentary tasting and 20% off of bottle purchases.
Down to Earth at McGrail: Vineyard Tour
April 21, 2013
Time: 2pm
Cost: $10
McGrail Vineyards and Winery
Livermore Valley
925-215-0717, [email protected]
www.mcgrailvineyards.com
Join us on Down to Earth Day and learn about our sustainable practices in our Estate Vineyard. Winemaker, Mark Clarin, will lead a tour and tasting of Cabernet.
Sustainability Tour
April 21, 2013
Time: 11am - 4pm
Concannon Vineyard
Livermore Valley
800-258-9866
www.concannonvineyard.com
Free sustainability tour for guests as well as a complimentary wine tasting if visitors arrive at the tasting room via bicycle.
B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bottle)
April 21, 2013
Time:12pm - 4:30pm
Cost: $8.99 / bottle
Page Mill Winery
Livermore Valley
925-456-7676
www.pagemillwinery.com
Bring in your old/clean 750 ml wine bottle and fill it up with our Recovery Red. For $8.99 per bottle we will fill it, cork it, label it and send you on your way with a delicious table wine.
Down to Earth at Rodrigue Molyneaux
April 21, 2013
Time: 12pm - 4pm
Cost: N/A
Rodrigue Molyneaux Estate Winery & Vineyard
Livermore Valley
925-443-1998, [email protected]
www.rmwinery.com
Visit the winery and mention that you are "Down to Earth" to receive a free tasting or a discount on an upgraded tasting flight.
SIP'n Slide Progressive Winery Tours
April 21, 2013
Time: 11pm - 4pm
Cost: $95 - $115
Tolosa Winery, Chamisal, Claiborne & Churchill and Wolff
San Luis Obispo County
805-782-0300, [email protected]
www.earthdayfoodandwine.com/event/sip-n-sliders-progressive-brunch/
Progressive Sunday brunch will stop at stellar spots sporting SIP™ (Sustainability in Practice) certifications: Tolosa Winery, Chamisal Winery, Wolff Vineyards, and Claiborne & Churchill Winery. Taste with winemakers as they showcase their sustainable practices. Gourmet sliders and sides served.
Earth Day Behind-the-Scenes Wine Tours
April 22, 2013
Time: 11am - 1pm
Cost: $40
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Temecula Valley
951-587-9463 Ext. 7204, [email protected]
www.wineresort.com
Take the behind-the-scenes wine tour and learn more about the sustainable wine growing practices used by our vineyard crew.
SLO Wine Country's FarmFest & Taste of Pismo
April 26-27, 2013
Time: April 26: 4pm-7pm, April 27: 12noon-4pm
Cost: $40-$50
Dinosaur Caves Park in Pismo Beach
San Luis Obispo County
805-541-5888, [email protected]
www.slowine.com
Enjoy local, sustainably grown wine and edibles at Dinosaur Caves Park overlooking the ocean in Pismo Beach. Featuring nearly 30 SLO wineries.
Vineyards & Bats
April 27 - 28, 2013
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Cost: Free
Satori Cellars
Santa Clara Valley
408-848-5823, [email protected]
www.satoricellars.com
Learn amazing facts about bats and what we can do to protect them and help our environment. A percentage of all sales will be donated to the Bat Conservancy of Costal California.
Summit for the Planet at Satori
April 27 - 28, 2013
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Cost: Free
Satori Cellars
Santa Clara Valley
408-848-5823, [email protected]
www.satoricellars.com
April 27th is the 7th annual Summit for the Planet Walk-a-thon and Earth Day Celebration, hosted by Mount Madonna School. If you prefer wine tasting, you can join in from Satori. A portion of all sales will be donated to this great cause.
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