Dozens of Eco-Friendly Winery Events Statewide

Earth Day Paso Robles D2E Logo 2016
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.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Wine Institute Communications Dept.
415/356-7525
communications@nullwineinstitute.org

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, concierge@nullaowinery.com
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, rewards@nulljordanwinery.com
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, gracia@nullvisitmendocino.com
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, katrina@nullbarraofmendocino.com
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
taylorradek@nullgmail.com
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, rewards@nulljordanwinery.com
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, doris@nullcgv.com
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, doris@nullcgv.com
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, doris@nullcgv.com
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, doris@nullcgv.com
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, contact@nullscmwa.com
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, marketing@nulllvwine.org
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, info@nullpagemillwinery.com
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, info@nullrrvw.org
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
kyle@nullvineyardteam.org
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, kyle@nullvineyardteam.org
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, passport@nulleldoradowines.org
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, info@nullpontewinery.com
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.