— Chamisal Vineyards in Edna Valley, California has achieved the Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified seal for their entire winery. Chamisal Vineyards is the second California winery to be recognized through this third-party sustainability program. SIP Certified has certified vineyards since 2008, and expanded its independent, third-party verification scope to include wineries in 2015.
To achieve SIP Certified for a winery, the company must undergo an in-depth assessment of their entire facility operations. This includes a rigorous evaluation of a variety of items including (but not limited to) facility establishment and management, energy uses, water efficiency, purchasing, recycling and waste reduction, marketing materials, event needs, and landscape decisions. All elements of social equity and financial sustainability are also taken into account, as with the current vineyard certification program.
“With their vineyards being certified since 2010, Chamisal Vineyards, has been a major proponent of SIP Certified for many years,” says Beth Vukmanic Lopez, SIP Certified Manager. “It continues to be a pleasure to work with their team as they put their sustainability beliefs to practice from the soil to the glass.”
“Deciding to go for the SIP Certified winery achievement, was a natural progression since we are an estate-based vineyard and winery already practicing sustainability in many areas,” notes Fintan Du Fresne, General Manager and Winemaker for Chamisal Vineyards. “This level allowed us to dive into our inner workings and look at our whole business from a holistic approach. Including on-site events to waste management and our solar project to waste water systems.”
By obtaining SIP Certified winery status, Chamisal Vineyards will continue to undergo regular inspections to ensure their certifications stay current with all SIP Certified standards. In addition, the winery will be able to share their achievement with their current and potential buyers through their own marketing communications, furthering the education and importance of sustainability.
“By putting our sustainability beliefs into practice, we have the ability to help educate the consumer on why sustainability should be a decision maker in their purchases. notes du Fresne. “SIP Certified makes it easy for us to share this message as they are not only a trusted and credible program, they offer a variety of valuable resources for both the consumers and businesses alike.”
About SIP Certified
Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified provides a way for vineyards and wineries statewide to verify their attention to sustainability through a commitment to environmental stewardship, equitable treatment of employees, and economic viability. Developed by the Vineyard Team, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to sustainable winegrowing since 1994, this program represents one extension of the group’s many innovative programs. To learn more about SIP, visit the website www.sipcertified.org. For more information about the Vineyard Team, please visit www.vineyardteam.org.
