Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certification

Why SIP Certification?

SIP Certification is available to growers and wineries throughout California
SIP looks at the whole farm verifying the farmers commitment to environmental stewardship, equitable treatment of employees, and business sustainability
SIP is a practice and performance based program – every requirement and management enhancement has to do with practices and is measurable, therefore auditable
SIP has a high threshold for eligibility – not every grower can qualify
SIP prohibits the use of high risk pesticides (organophosphates, groundwater contaminants, just to name a few)
A bottle of wine can bear the SIP Seal, given it has undergone a chain of custody audit confirming it is made with at least 85% SIP Certified fruit. This provides consumers and the trade a clear indication of your commitment to sustainable practices, providing another reason for a consumer to buy your wine

The Natural Evolution of the Vineyard Team's Work and Mission

In 1996, our local grower group pioneered the innovative and award winning Positive Points System - the first self-assessment utilizing a whole farm, integrated approach to vineyard management. Since its inception, over 1,000 evaluations representing 60,000 acres have been collected. As a tool, the PPS helped educate and guide hundreds of growers towards adopting practices that protect both human and natural resources, and the framework has been modeled by other notable organizations.

In 2002, our members discussed the possible shift from self-evaluation to third-party certification. From dialogue came action, and in 2003, a group of dedicated growers and advisers began developing a set of standards, with measurable and verifiable requirements, that addressed the environment, the workers, and business sustainability.

The Standards, addressing 10 distinct topics, were peer reviewed by over 30 experts. Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certification was launched, establishing a distinguishing statewide certification. Applicants are required to undergo a thorough records and on site audit with an independent inspector - all practices must be documented and verified. Finally, an independent Certification Advisory Committee determines eligibility based on blind auditor reports.

2008 marked the program's pilot year, with 3,700 SIP Certified acres in three counties. There are currently over 11,000 SIP Certified acres and 116,000 cases of wines bearing the SIP seal.

Sustainability in Practice Trade Sheet (pdf)
includes technical overview and comparison of various certifications

Sustainability in Practice Consumer Brochure (pdf)
includes program overview and current program participants