SIP Certified
Better Wines Responsibly
As a founding member of the Central Coast Vineyard Team, Steve McIntyre was one of the originators of SIP Certification program. Sustainable winegrowing is a “Big Picture” philosophy taking into account the cumulative impact of every decision related to the three pillars of sustainability: Fiscal, Social and Environmental. To become SIP Certified, winegrowers are assessed by the Positive Points System for the many interrelated elements of the farm system including habitat conservation, energy efficiency, pest management, water conservation, economic stability and human resources. To date, over 1,000 SIP certification evaluations have been collected and the guiding principles of the program are permanently altering the way winegrowers think about farming.
Certifying Our Commitment
Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified is the gold standard for sustainable vineyard and wine certification, challenging growers and wine producers to review, implement and amend practices that impact the earth, its people, and future generations while offering buyers and consumers a trustworthy seal that guarantees conscientious quality.
Caring for People, Farms, & the Environment
Being SIP Certified shows our dedicated to the 3 P’s of Sustainability – People, Planet, Prosperity. We are committed to our ‘3 P’ approach, ensuring that both natural and human resources are protected. Here are a few of our sustainability efforts:
- Social Responsibility – We offer competitive wages, medical insurance, training, and education because each worker is a valuable resource
- Water Conservation – We regularly monitor soils, plants, and weather, irrigating vines only when needed and we measure water used in the winery to prevent waste
- Clean Water – We keep water clean by growing grasses to reduce erosion and filter storm runoff and filter winery water for reuse
- Safe Pest Management – We introduce beneficial insects, attract raptors, and plant enriching cover crops to keep vineyards healthy
- Energy Efficiency – We use alternative fuels and energy sources like solar and wind, minimize tractor use reduce our carbon footprint, and use insulation to increase energy efficiency
- Habitat – We create wildlife corridors to give animals access to traditional watering holes and food, helping to maintain biodiversity
- Business – We have sound business practices with a long term view to treat our employees and community with care for generations
- Third Party Audit – We adhere to SIP’s strict Standards through third-party documentation and onsite inspections
- Improvement – We annually update our farming and wine processing Standards as Best Management Practices evolve with new science, technology and research
More information can be found at the Sustainability in Practice website.