PARTNERS

A Partnership Between California Vintners and Winegrape Growers

The Sustainable Winegrowing Program was initiated in January 2001 by winegrowing members of Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) to promote vineyard and winery practices that are sensitive to the environment, responsive to the needs and interests of society-at-large, and economically feasible to implement and maintain. Wine Institute is a public policy advocacy group, representing more than 975 California wineries and affiliated businesses responsible for 85 percent of the nation’s wine production. CAWG is a public policy advocacy group of winegrape growers, representing more than 60 percent of the total annual grape crush. Together they developed the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices workbook as the basis for the Sustainable Winegrowing Program, providing a tool for vintners and growers to assess their practices and learn how to improve their overall sustainability. Wine Institute and CAWG formed the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance to assist in program implementation. These organizations will continue to work together to promote sustainable winegrowing practices that benefit the environment, the community and high quality grapes and wine.

A Proactive Approach to Sustainability

As the State’s population explodes and urban areas encroach on traditionally rural farmland, the California wine community is taking a proactive, precautionary approach to address increasing pressure resulting from public and legislative perceptions, environmental decisions from regulatory and governmental bodies, and other growth-related issues. By adopting and implementing the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices, members of the California wine community can greatly augment their collective and individual ability to respond to these pressures while demonstrating that they are responsible neighbors and committed stewards of the land.

Family Winemakers of California was founded in 1991 to give voice and presence to small, family wineries in the public policy arena. In the wake of the referendum on the wine market order, which was not extended, several small wineries created another vintner association apart from Wine Institute.

Family Winemakers was originally named Premium Winemakers of America, a reflection of the organization’s roots in producing quality table wine. In 1992, the organization was renamed Family Winemakers of California because it was an “organization that reflects the ‘little guy’s’ point of view.” The concept behind the association was to protect individual freedom from government over-regulation. The founders believed that an organization of this type would unite small wineries and address issues that were neglected by the California Wine Commission and Wine Institute.

Wine Institute is the voice for California wine representing more than 1,000 wineries and affiliated businesses from the beautiful and diverse wine regions throughout the state.

As the largest advocacy and public policy association for California wine, and the only group representing the industry at the state, federal and international levels, Wine Institute’s Officers, Board of Directors andprofessional staff work to create an environment where the wine community can flourish and contribute in a positive fashion to our nation, state and local communities.

Please use our website to find out more about our initiatives, industry issues and news, membership services and benefits and becoming a member of Wine Institute.