Winners Announced for the Annual California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards

St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Clif Family Winery & Farm, Ironstone Vineyards and Hobo Wine Company Named 2026 Awardees

SACRAMENTO - To kick off California's Down to Earth Month, four wineries and vineyard companies were awarded 2026 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards, joining 11 years of past winners from throughout the Golden State. These awardees are recognized for their notable sustainability practices and innovation based on a comprehensive judging process focused on both sustainable viticulture and winemaking. Presented by several California wine organizations devoted to sustainability, four green medals are awarded annually in the following categories: Leader, Environment, Community and Business.

"Each year over the past dozen years, the California wine community has paused to pay tribute to four wineries and vineyards that demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in sustainable winegrowing," said Allison Jordan, executive director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. "Not only do this year's winners grow and make exceptional grapes and wine, they do so while preserving natural resources, protecting the environment, enhancing wine quality and enriching the lives of employees and wine country communities."

Winners of the 2026 California Green Medals are:

LEADER AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that excels in the three "Es" of sustainability - Environmentally sound, socially Equitable and Economically viable practices.

St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery blends environmental stewardship with a deep commitment to their community. A leader in climate action, the winery has transitioned to Gold membership with International Wineries for Climate Action and reduced its emissions intensity by 48% since 2021. Their water management is equally rigorous, achieving a 56% reduction in usage while recycling all process water for landscape irrigation. With over 1,600-acres in Napa Valley, biodiversity thrives; 1,000 acres of the land remains wild, supported seasonally by 900 grazing sheep that provide natural fertilization, fire prevention and reduce the number of tractor passes. As a founding member of the North Bay Zero Waste Collective, St. Supéry serves as a regional recycling hub, diverting over 590,000 pounds of material from landfills since 2024. They support their employees through carpool incentives and naturalization assistance and the broader Napa community by participating in the Napa Food Project, which collectively donated over 21,000 pounds of food in 2025. Sustainability is also central to wine promotion, with practices and certifications touted to both trade and consumers. This 2026 recognition builds upon a long history of excellence, including being honored with the California Green Medal Environment Award in 2018. For their innovative leadership in the three pillars of sustainability, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery is the winner of the 2026 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leader Award.

ENVIRONMENT AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices.

Clif Family Vineyard & Farm
Guided by its "Five Bottom Lines" - Business, Brands, People, Community and Planet - Clif Family Winery & Farm embeds sustainability into every business and agricultural decision. As a B Corp Certified company, the winery has committed to a 50% emissions reduction by 2030 through improved efficiency via renewable energy, converting to lightweight packaging, solar and EV charging. Drip irrigation, drought-tolerant landscaping and dry-farming trials reduce water use while strengthening vineyard adaptability. They are dedicated to enhancing biodiversity on their 281-acre property by preserving over 250 acres as natural habitat, fostering wildlife corridors and using natural pest control. In the vineyard, Clif Family uses climate-smart and regenerative practices, such as no-till farming, sheep grazing and cover crops to bolster soil health and climate resilience. Through their Sip & Support program, they donate 20% of tasting room and food truck sales on event days to local environmental and social causes, including Napa Vine Trail, Napa Bike Coalition, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation and the Suscol Intertribal Council. For their unwavering commitment to creating a resilient, equitable and environmentally thriving future, Clif Family Winery & Farm is the winner of the 2026 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Environment Award.

COMMUNITY AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that is a Good Neighbor and Employer using the most innovative practices that enhance relations with employees, neighbors and/or communities.

Ironstone Vineyards
Ironstone Vineyards exemplifies operational excellence by seamlessly integrating multi-generational tradition with cutting-edge innovation. A leader in natural resource conservation, they pioneered groundwater banking and riparian restoration since the 1940s, recently achieving 47% water savings and a 19% reduction in energy costs through SWEEP-funded infrastructure upgrades. This family's innovative work on soil health, integrated pest management and biodiversity benefits not only Ironstone Vineyards, but the surrounding community and wine sector. They reactivated a 1914 riparian system to support fish, wildlife and native and migratory birds and planted native oaks to enhance local ecosystems in Lodi. Their resilience is rooted in their people; with a workforce boasting members with over 50 years of experience, Ironstone invests in bilingual safety training, team building and professional development. By balancing resource conservation with fiscal responsibility and community investment - including over $1.2 million raised for youth agricultural programs - Ironstone Vineyards demonstrates that a sustainable business model is the key to enduring success in a changing landscape. For their tireless dedication to the community, their employees and the future of the planet, Ironstone Vineyards is the winner of the 2026 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Community Award.

BUSINESS AWARD, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.

Hobo Wine Company
Hobo Wine Company has built environmental responsibility and community engagement into their business strategy since its founding. Operating on 100% local renewable energy - including geothermal and solar - they achieve net-zero kWh per case, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while helping stabilize long-term energy and fuel costs. They also maintain a remarkable water efficiency of 1.44 gallons per gallon of wine - far below the industry average. Hobo prioritizes organic farming, sourcing the majority of their fruit from certified organic vineyards. A leader in waste reduction, they eliminated capsules in 2005 and have diverted over 216,000 bottles through their innovative reusable keg program, while composting organic winery byproducts such as pomace to reduce waste and hauling. Hobo also prioritizes lower-impact packaging choices across their supply chain. Their employment practices - including fair wages, healthcare, retirement contributions, PTO and shared meals - boost employee morale and retention. As a dedicated member of 1% for the Planet, they have donated nearly $200,000 since 2018, alongside raising $70,000 for The School Box Project. For their commitment to innovation, efficiency and long-term economic and environmental health, Hobo Wine Company is the recipient of the 2026 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Business Award.

Visit GreenMedal.org for more information

About the California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards
The California Green Medal is presented by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners, Napa Green, Sonoma County Winegrowers and Vineyard Team. California vineyards and wineries that participate in a sustainability program in California are eligible to apply in four award categories (Leader, Environment, Community and Business) that recognize outstanding achievement in sustainability. A judging panel of wine and sustainability experts make the final selections, and each recipient receives an engraved California Green Medal and is recognized for their contributions to California wines' world-leading efforts on wine sustainability. A customized award ceremony also helps to share their achievement with staff, customers, media and other stakeholders of their choice.

Applications were judged by a panel of wine and sustainability experts including: Beth Vukmanic, executive director of Vineyard Team; Courtney Cochran, principal at Studio Soif; Cyril Penn, editor-in-chief of Wine Business Monthly; Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein; Jennifer Dieckmann, chief operations officer for Sonoma County Winegrowers; Julie Berge, VP of communications and member relations at Wine Institute; Lisa Francioni, deputy director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance; Marisa Taylor, winery program manager for Napa Green; Natalie Collins, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers; Stephanie Bolton, PhD, research and education director for the Lodi Winegrape Commission; and Suraj Kar, PhD, assistant professor of viticulture at California Polytechnic State University, SLO.

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