VASCM: Next Program Feb. 16: Sustainability with the CA Sustainability Alliance: Assessment, Certification

[Mary Lindsay, Muns Vineyard]

The next program of the VASCM will be Feb. 16. This is a sustainability 
self-assessment workshop, a great opportunity to learn best practices in 
the vineyard and winery. It also includes a presentation by the 
California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) on how we can achieve 
Sustainability Certification (if you want to try to do that).  /View the 
flier on our website at www.vascm.org. /

- This program is for growers and wineries.
- Certification is based on doing the self-assessments.
- It is for you even if you have done the self-assessment before.
- It is for you if you are doing this for the first time, or just want 
to find out more about sustainable practices and the certification program.
- Even if you are not interested in pursuing certification, the 
self-assessment is a valuable educational opportunity.

- Self-assessments can now be done online. If you have a laptop with 
wireless connection, bring it to this session. You will get a password 
to set up your
online account when you call to RSVP, and you can work online from the 
session. If you do not bring a laptop, you will work from the workbook. 
(This program is being held at the Loma Prieta Community Center because 
it has sufficient wireless bandwidth.)

- If you have previously done the self-assessment: please bring your 
binder/workbook. If you previously submitted your results, they will be 
available to you online once you set up your account.

- If you are doing this for the first time, you will get a binder at the 
session.

- This program is free!

- Cooper-Garrod is the first vineyard and winery in the Santa Cruz 
Mountains to be certified.  We have invited *Bill Cooper* to come and 
talk about why they got certified, why it is important, and their 
experience.  Bill is on the Board of the California Sustainable 
Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), and was Chairman a few years ago.

Here are the details (see the flier on our website at www.vascm.org)

*Sustainable Winegrowing Self-Assessment Workshop and Certification Overview

Wednesday, February 16, 2011
8:30am - 1:00pm
*Registration begins at 8am; program starts at 8:30 (see agenda below)
(Lunch included. There is no charge.)

Loma Prieta Community Center
23800 Summit Rd., Los Gatos 95033
(at the Loma Prieta Elementary School)

RSVP to: Lisa Francioni, lisa at wineinstitute.org or call 415-356-7545


// *8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. *Registration, coffee and pastries.   **
*8:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m.* Bill Cooper from Cooper-Garrod Vineyards will 
discuss his experience with the self-assessment process and 
certification.* * * *
*8:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m.* Bring your laptop and complete a sustainable 
winegrowing self-assessment of your vineyard and/or winery using the 
online system.  To complete your assessment online, you must have a 
UserID and Password, which can be requested when you RSVP by February 
14. If you do not have a laptop you can complete the self-assessment 
using a hard-copy workbook. If you have a workbook, please bring it with 
the previously mailed update packet inserted. First-time participants 
will receive the workbook (no charge).
*11:30 a.m. - Noon. *Lisa Francioni, Program Manager with the California 
Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, will describe the new certification 
program, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, which is based on 
the Sustainable Winegrowing Self-Assessment Workbook, and cover the 
steps necessary to get certified.** * **Noon-1 p.m.*   Lunch provided on 
site.**
For more information on the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices 
Self-Assessment Workbook and certification visit: 
www.sustainablewinegrowing.org <http://www.sustainablewinegrowing.org/>

Partnering organizations: *California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, 
Viticulture Association of Santa Cruz Mountains, **Wine Institute and 
the California Association of Winegrape Growers*
* * *

*Why Sustainability?*

Sustainability for vineyard and winery operations is good business 
practice, resulting in economic benefits and improved quality and 
operations. Sustainability
addresses the pressures of growing grapes and making wine in an urban 
environment, meeting increasing population demands, legal, environmental 
and other
requirements, while still producing a quality product. You can benefit 
from improved grape and wine quality, reduced costs, increased real 
estate and business values and viability, enhanced relations with your 
neighbors, community and employees. The Wine Institute and CAWG 
(California Association of Winegrape Growers) developed a Code of 
Sustainable Winegrowing Practices to encourage and educate winegrape 
growers and winery managers in sustainability strategies, and created 
the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance to implement the program.

This workshop is an opportunity for you to learn about the best 
practices implemented by other growers and wineries, the benefits of 
sustainability, and how
you can apply them to improve your farming or winery operations. 
Workshop participants receive a free 500-page self-assessment workbook 
covering a broad range of operational topics including: soil management, 
pest management, ecosystems management, water and energy conservation, 
materials handling, human resources and community relations. The 
workbook serves as a valuable tool for you to identify strengths and 
areas for improvement in your operations.

Sustainable practices have been adopted by major wineries in regions 
throughout the state, and have become the focus of statewide public 
relations campaigns
launched by CAWG and the Wine Institute.