Sustainability Initiatives in the
Global Wine Industry
Ann Thrupp, Fetzer and CSWA
With information from Karen Ross,
CA Association of Winegrape Growers
Sustainability :
A broad concept, often viewed as a goal
Sometimes called the “Triple Bottom Line”
Sustainability
Economically
Viable
Socially
Responsible
Environmentally
sound
Ensuring viability over time…benefiting current & future generations
Concepts of
Sustainable & Organic Agriculture
Some people perceive these concepts on a linear continuum…
Conventional
IPM
UNSUSTAINABLE
Biointensive IPM
SUSTAINABLE
Organic
Biodynamic
ORGANIC & BEYOND
However, this linear perspective is somewhat narrow.
An alternative view reveals more complexity …
The Sustainability Concept
Relationships between
Organic & Sustainable Agriculture & Other Concepts
Sustainable
Agriculture
Organic
Biodynamic
Integrated
Pest/Crop
Management
“Sustainable”
winegrowing is a
much broader
concept, which
includes many
dimensions (to
be explained)
Interest in Sustainability:
Growing Global Trend
• Global & local challenges: Environmental degradation,
climate change, resource scarcity, pollution, health
threats, population growth, urbanization, etc.
• Growing involvement in sustainable development &
sustainable agriculture among governments
• Growing investment in sustainable business and in
manufacturing, food/ag, service, energy, transport, and
other sectors; many involved in certification and
labeling
MANY FAMILIAR BRANDS & COMPANIES
GOING “GREEN”….
- Pioneers like Ben & Jerry’s, Body Shop, Interface, etc.
- Multinat’l corporations also jumping on the green bandwagon…
such as Starbucks, Dole, Nestle, Unilever, Walmart, MacDonalds,
Toyota, Ford, Hitachi, GM, BP, etc…
Why? Multiple Forces Behind Change
SOCIAL AND
ENVIRONMENTAL
CHALLENGES &
CONSUMERS
ROLE OF NGOs
SUSTAINABILITY
INCREASING
IN IMPORTANCE
GOVERNMENTS
COMPETITION
INVESTORS &
ANALYSTS
EMPLOYEES
Sustainability Initiatives
In the International Wine Industry
• Australia’s “Sustaining Success” Strategy
• New Zealand Winegrowing Program
• South Africa’s Integrated Production of Wine
System (IPW)
• European Programs on Sustainability
• U.S. Initiatives – Especially the CA
Sustainable Winegrowing Program
• FIVS (international wine industry trade
association) also recognizes sustainability
principles
Australia’s
“Sustaining Success” Strategy
• Cooperative Research Centre of Viticulture
(CRCV)
– R&D Organization established in 1992
– Programs include:
• Sustainable Vineyard Systems
• An Education Program
• Viticare Program for Extension & Research
• Drafting chapters on soil, pest, and water
management best practices
Australia’s
“Sustaining Success” Strategy
• Environmental Management System
(EMS) Program includes:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Water Use Management
Chemical & Pesticide Management
Soil & Fertilizer Management
Equipment, Vehicle & Machinery
Waste Management
Vineyard Establishment
Biodiversity
• Gov’t funding to support research on
sustainable viticulture practices ($4.5 M)
New Zealand
Winegrowing Program
• In 1995-1996, a working group of growers and
industry representatives developed a pilot
“Integrated Winegrowing Program”
– Began with 5 vineyards
– In 1997, after receiving a $150,000 & additional
support, program grew to include 120 vineyards
– In 2003, more than 300 members representing
60% of the vineyard acreage
New Zealand Winegrowing Program
“Integrated Winegrowing Program”
– Positive Points System for vineyards & wineries
– Self Audit Scorecard – reports for participants
– 77 Questions
• Negative Impact or Unsustainable
Scores 0 to -10 Points
• Sustainable Practice Scores 10 Points
• Improvement over current practice
Scores +10 to +20
South Africa’s Integrated Production of
Wine System
•
IPW Programs for both grapes and wine
(multiple practices for vineyards and
winery operations)
• Certification Program & training program
• Points System
• 99% of South Africa’s wine production
participates in the program
South Africa also has a strong program to
promote biodiversity in vineyards
European Programs on Sustainability
Many Regional Programs – examples include:
• European Integrated Production (IP)
Standards
• Viticulture Raisone’e in Champagne
Goals include:
– Participation of 15,000 farmers in region
–
Reduction in use of chemical fertilizers,
pesticides & fungicides by 50%
Sustainable Winegrowing
Initiatives in California
• Strong Initiatives in the Winegrape industry to
promote & expand sustainable practices
– Regional: CCVT, LWWC, SCGGA, NSWG, etc.
• State: Code of Sustainable Practices
– Initiated by CAWG, WI, CSWA, collaborating
regional groups, wineries and vineyards
– Self-evaluation and education aimed to
encourage adoption of a wide diversity of
sustainable practices
– Results: high level of participation in the SWP,
increasing adoption of sustainable practices
Centerpiece of the SWP – The Workbook
** Release of – Second Edition of the “Code of
Sustainable Winegrowing Practices” **
Practices Included in the “Code of Sustainable
Winegrowing Practices” for Vineyards & Wineries
From Ground to Glass” – Total of 227 criteria
• Viticulture
• Soil Management
• Vineyard Water
Management
• Pest Management
• Wine Quality
• Ecosystem
Management
• Energy Efficiency
• Winery Water Conservation & Quality
• Material Handling
• Solid Waste Reduction
• Environmentally
preferred purchasing
• Human Resources
• Neighbors & Community
• Air Quality added in ‘06
SelfAssessment
workshops
Implement
Change
Self Assess
SWP Cycle of
Continuous
Improvement
Customized
Reports
Interpret
Performance
Targeted
Education
Workshops
Action Plan
Develop Action
Plan to Improve
Growing Participation in SWP
Self-Assessment
• 1,165 wineries & vineyards have attended close to 100
SWP self-assessment workshops from 2002 to now.
• These participants represent:
 33% of total CA vineyard area (over 171,000 acres)
 53% of case value of CA wine (143.8 million cases)
These numbers demonstrate, since 2004:
• 24% increase in the number of participants
• 23% increase in vineyard acreage
• 19% increase in wine case production
Targeted Education Workshops
• Since 2004, SWP has held 88
educational events that target areas in
need of improvement
• These workshops have reached over
5,000 growers and vintners
• They cover many sustainable practices, e.g:
–
–
–
–
Integrated Pest Management
Air and Water Quality
Ecosystem Management, and
Energy Efficiency
Interest in California SWP from other
Winegrape Associations
• Washington State Association of
Winegrape Growers
•
Oregon Wine Advisory Board
•
New York Wine & Grape Foundation
•
Penn State Cooperation Extension
•
Canadian Vintners Association
•
Wine Council of Ontario
Certification & Ecolabel Initiatives
for “Sustainable” Winegrowing
• Organic and Biodynamic – 3rd party
certification
• Salmon Safe – 3rd party certification of
BMPs & environmental practices, and has
label (mainly in Oregon)
• Oregon LIVE – sets standards;
collaboration with Salmon Safe
• The Food Alliance – has vineyard
standards, not on wine labels
• Napa Green – certification of BMPs for
vineyards, but no label
• Sonoma Green Business- sets standards;
51 wineries certified
• Fish-Friendly Farming program (no label)
New Certification Initiatives
(related to winegrowing)
• CA Winegrowers Regions have become involved in
developing ecolabel or certification initiatives
– LWWC (“Lodi Rules”), CCVT
• Individual wineries: eg, Gallo of Sonoma Sustainable
Management Systems “Certification” (WPS, ISO14001); Benziger developing standards for its growers;
others considering ideas too?
• Protected Harvest: Working with CA commodities and
growers to certify, label and market produce grown
according to sustainable ag standards
Lessons Learned: What makes the SWP
unique and effective? (Key Elements)
• Active participation of growers & vintners, and many
stakeholders, in all parts of the program.
• Comprehensive in scope: The SWP addresses three
interlinked environmental, economic and equity goals;
using a systems approach:
• Building bridges – between environmental and
agricultural interests –win-win solutions.
• Innovative measurement system- transparent reporting
of the results to the public.
• Marketing advantage.
• Setting a good example, serving as a model globally
for socially responsible wine production
THANK YOU!
Contact Information
Ann Thrupp,
Manager of Sustainability, Fetzer Vineyards
& consultant, CA Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
tel 707-272-1152, www.sustainablewinegrowing.org
And Karen Ross,
CA Association of Winegrape Growers
www.cawg.org