The Washington wine industry is proud to officially launch Sustainable WA, the first statewide certified sustainability program.
Sustainability includes a broad set of science-based practices developed for local conditions and vineyard and winery scale. Objectives include natural resources, watershed protection, soil health, low input farming, employee and community stewardship and climate resiliency.
Sustainable WA covers the pillars of sustainability: environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable. It is a rigorous, science-based program and built with continuous improvement in mind. Sustainable WA was built by and for the industry, specifically for Washington vineyards.
#WAwine is sustainable by nature, certifiably so.
Wine grape growing in Washington is naturally sustainable because many pests, like insects, fungal diseases and weeds don’t flourish here. Our climate and practices help keep pest populations and manageable. Certification is the next step.
Market research shows demand is high for sustainable products and a sustainability program. Steps taken now to incorporate and celebrate sustainable practices will ensure healthy productive vineyards and wineries for generations to come. By participating in Sustainable WA, growers commit to sustainable viticultural practices and are audited by a third party to ensure operations meet established standards. Currently, the program offers a certification option for vineyards with plans to add certification for wineries in the future.
We’re already evergreen. Now, we’re forever green.
20 Years in the Making
Sustainable WA is rooted in an educational sustainability program, Vinewise® and Winerywise™, which was created over two decades ago and intentionally scalable for certification. The program was propelled forward in recent years by an industry group made up of 40+ vintners and growers from across the state.
Sustainable WA was built as a partnership. Washington Winegrowers is the managing entity and oversees the third-party audit and certification process related to the Sustainable WA Winegrape Standard. The Washington State Wine Commission manages the brand and marketing. The Washington Wine Industry Foundation processes funds raised and seeks additional funding through grants and industry, as needed. The Washington Wine Institute communicates industry commitment to sustainability with policymakers.
Salmon-Safe Partnership
Beginning in 2024, vineyards in the program now have the option of obtaining dual certification for both Sustainable WA and Salmon-Safe, provided all standards are met.
Salmon-Safe is a leading U.S. ecolabel that works to keep urban and agricultural watersheds healthy for native salmon. More than 95,000 acres of farm and urban lands in the Pacific Northwest have transitioned to Salmon-Safe certification in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California and British Columbia. For viticulture, the focus of Salmon-Safe is reducing vineyard runoff, water quality protection, and enhancement of native biodiversity on vineyard sites.
Read more about this exciting partnership here.
Resources
See below for the full Sustainable WA Winegrape Standard Requirements, Program Manual, Brand & Logo Use Guidelines, a downloadable informational document, and FAQ.
Sustainable WA Resources
Attention Vineyards: Applications now open for 2024!
Sustainable WA is now accepting new vineyard applications for the 2024 season.
Once you have submitted your application and signed the agreement, you will be sent an email with a password to enter the Sustainable WA 2024 participant portal. From there you can begin filling out your self-assessment. You will also receive an invoice which is created based on your acreage so please make sure the acres you enter are correct. Sustainable WA program audits will be scheduled once we receive and verify payment. For fee structure please visit Sustainable WA program cost.
Want to self-assess your vineyard before signing up certification? The Sustainable WA program offers a free self-assessment. Go to www.sustainablewa.com. Log in and you will be able to complete the self-assessment and see what mandatory requirements you need to fulfill in order to be certified.
Research Leads the Way
Contact Heather Bradshaw at hbradshaw@washingtonwine.org with any inquires regarding Sustainable WA.