Since 2008, Sustainability in Practice (SIP)™ Certification has provided independent, third-party verification of sustainability practices in 27,000 acres of California vineyards, so “taking it to the winery level was the logical next step,” said Kris Beal, Executive Director of the Central Coast Vineyard Team (CCVT), the non-profit group which developed SIP Certification.
Though still in the planning stages, the winery process certification will rigorously review a number of factors, including energy efficiency, water use, glass and paper recycling, and even what kind of materials are used in packaging and collateral marketing materials. As with the vineyard certification, the elements of social equity and financial sustainability will also be taken into account.
“With the SIP seal already validating about 300,000 cases of wine made with SIP Certified grapes, we wanted to make sure the consumer had yet another level of assuredness about the choices they were making,” said Beal. “We also realized that our winery members were very interested in this aspect as well. For them, it’s really one of the best ways they can prove their own commitment to sustainability, to protecting natural and human resources, and -- above all -- crafting a quality product.”
Beal noted that CCVT has also received inquiries from other agricultural representatives about the possibility of adapting the SIP label to crops beyond winegrapes.
About SIP Certified
The Sustainability in Practice (SIP)™ Certification program provides a way for vineyards statewide to verify their attention to integrated farming practices through a commitment to environmental stewardship, equitable treatment of employees and economic viability. Developed by the Central Coast 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, please visit the website https://www.sipcertified.org. For more information about CCVT, please visit https://www.vineyardteam.org.
SOURCE: PRWEB https://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9270924.htm
