How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
NICE, Calif. – Achieving sustainability in winegrape growing “is a journey” that requires “adaptability and resilience,” Ann Thrupp reminded Lake County growers attending the Lake County Winegrape Commission’s 10th annual Sustainable Winegrowing Seminar.
Speaking on “Why Sustainability Matters,” Thrupp delivered the keynote presentation during the recent seminar at Ceàgo Vinegarden.
The workshop was presented by the Commission in conjunction with the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA).
Thrupp, the sustainability manager for Fetzer and Bonterra Vineyards, joined a handful of qualified speakers who focused on the benefits of sustainability and certification for vineyard operations in Lake County.
More than 50 winegrape growers and vintners gathered at the site of Jim Fetzer’s biodynamic Ceàgo Vinegarden off Highway 20 to hear the experts talk about the seminar’s topic, “Why Vineyard Certification Matters: What Does Your Vineyard’s Sustainable & Economic Future Look Like?”
Acknowledging that many of Lake County’s winegrape producers already use many of the practices associated with sustainability, presenters encouraged the vineyard managers, owners and workers to pursue certification to validate their work.
Additionally, the experts noted, the reasons for sustainability include benefits to the environment, efficiency in production, and economic gains.
In the series of workshop presentations, speakers repeated Thrupp’s core message about sustainability: It’s a “win-win” situation.
Sustainability is not “a fad” and is seeing increasing involvement, said Thrupp.
There are multiple drivers that are pushing the need for sustainability into the mainstream, she added. These include what she called “producer/grower motivations,” requirements from major food and beverage buyers, media attention, increasing government regulations, and consumer demand.
“Green” consumers are likely to be wine purchasers, she noted.
In a panel discussion entitled “Why We Are CSWA Sustainable,” Thrupp joined moderator Cliff Ohmart, SureHarvest vice president of professional services, and panel members John Adriance, Snows Lake chief officer of operations, and Tim Thornhill, Mendocino Wine Co. partner, to give their perspectives on seeking certification for sustainable winegrape growing.
Answering the question, “Why become certified?” Adriance said the main reason is financial. Retailers are demanding it and customers want it, he told the group of grape growers.
“(Lake County’s) grape growers need to mobilize, get behind this and demonstrate to wineries that as a region we are committed,” he said.
Thornhill agreed, saying sustainability is important to consumers and market leaders. It reduces energy and water use, he added. “Being green is being efficient … Being certified is a good move.”
Rounding out the seminar with more technical aspects of the sustainability issue, CSWA Program Director Lisa Francioni spoke about “From Our Vineyards to California Wineries & Global Markets” and was followed by Judy Luchsinger of QED Consulting, one of only 20 people in the state qualified to audit for certification, offering her advice in a talk entitled “Nuts & Bolts of Vineyard Certification.”
Highlight the morning session with a special presentation, Randy Krag, chair of the Winegrape Commission’s Education Committee, and Paul Zellman, director of the Commission’s education programs, introduced members of the first class of the LCWC Master Vigneron Academy.
The individuals include Alonso Raygoza and Antonio Batres, Beckstoffer Vineyards; Felix Aguilar and Gabriel Martinez, Bella Vista; Jaime Rosas, Lyon Vineyard; Jeronimo Rico, Dorn Vineyard; and Amador Villalobos, Nissen VM-Obsidian Ridge.
Krag explained the importance of the one-year program, stressing the importance of the members seeing all aspects of operations and supervision at various vineyards and wineries.
“The program is in support of the industry and in support of the people who work in the industry,” he said.
The workshop included networking sessions, exhibitor showcases, and sponsorships by SureHarvest, the CSWA, Guillaume Nursery, Rainbow Ag, Cold Creek Compost, Pan American Insurance Agency, Inc, Bob Bartley Pumps Inc, Biobest-USA, SHuR Farms Farming Control Systems, Nova Vine, Napta Soluble Solutions, Sunridge Nurseries and the Wine Institute.
Established in 1991 by the winegrape growers of Lake County, the Lake County Winegrape Commission is a local marketing order. Its primary function is to provide marketing, education, and research programs to Lake County winegrape growers.
For more information about upcoming events and workshops, check the commission’s Web site, www.lakecountywinegrape.org, or call the commission office at 707-995-3421.
For information about the seminar or the Master Vigneron Program, email Zellman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
