We sat down with CEO of Napa Green Anna Brittan to get down to earth on sustainable wine and how the program works.
The Wine Siren: Why the urgency of a truly farm-to-table sustainable winery today?
Anna Brittan: The wine industry is the canary in the coal mine for climate change, and the impacts are happening NOW. Fires, drought, increasing high heat days are all making it essential that the industry take action and increase resource efficiency, reduce their carbon footprint and do what they can to adapt. When most people think about sustainability and wine they think about the vineyard, and that is essential, but we also have to recognize that there are often just as many opportunities to save energy and water, reduce emissions, and take care of employees and neighbors on the winery side. It’s critical to think about the whole system.
Wine is the premier agricultural product – it captures global attention, meaning our leadership can be an outsized force for change. Here in Napa County we have the opportunity, as a globally celebrated wine region, to use our platform and influence to serve as a force to transform the industry. We have to get more growers and vintners onboard in making sustainability and climate action an integral part of day-to-day business.
TWS: How did you get into this business?
AB: I grew up in Calistoga and St. Helena and graduated from St. Helena High. I went to college out in Massachusetts and had no intention of working in the wine industry. My first year of college I read a book called “The End of Nature” and it was life-changing. I knew whatever I did I had to work to fight climate change.
I started my career working in environmental policy and management first in DC and then in Vietnam. Back in 2006, I needed a summer job when I was transitioning from working in Vietnam to my master’s degree at Yale. That is when I met John Garn, who had been doing sustainability consulting with the wine industry for over a decade. For better or worse, he got me into this niche of sustainable wine growing. I completed my Masters of Environmental Science & Management and spent a few more years working nationally and internationally. Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that you can have the most impact at the local level. I moved home in 2014 and I started managing the growth of Napa Green in 2015.
TWS: Please share the clarification of organic, vs sustainable and the definition of what sustainable is truly is and why paying closer attention to this is important.
AB: In terms of environmental stewardship, organic certification is just for the farm, and is focused on one specific topic – don’t use synthetic pesticides. Sustainable winegrowing certification is for both the farm and production – from the vineyard into the winery – and has a much broader umbrella. Sustainability certification includes standards for saving energy and water, reducing waste, climate action, and, critically, social equity & justice. None of those elements are required for organic certification. Sustainable wine-growing certification includes a focus on reducing the use of harmful pesticides but goes well beyond that.
TWS: Does “Natural wine” have any foothold in sustainability? (trying to dispel confusion here).
AB: Let me share the first critical issue with “natural wine” – there is no third-party certification. A grower or vintner can say they are “natural” and there is no independent third-party that has validated they are walking the talk. Natural winemaking is largely focused on eliminating or drastically reducing the use of sulfur (which occurs naturally in the environment). Most natural wine producers are certified organic or Biodynamic. And again, this is only focused on the vineyard and does not include a deeper, systematic focus on resource efficiency, climate action, and social equity.
Alice Tetienne of Champagne Henriot Organic is important, but not necessarily the best. It is but one part of the equation. We have to be
Barodlino has a rich history in both wine and culture. There is no better Rosé that takes the beauty of the region and expresses it than Chiaretto Rosé.
Could it be that this region, today known as the Fastest Growing Wine Region in the United States is the world’s next Napa Valley? This is Idaho Wine Country.
All I want to do... is have some fun @tressabores #NapaValley check them out. Absolutely outstanding down to earth vibe and wine that`s better for you and planet earth. Sustainable, organic & truly killer wine! #certifiedsustainable #certifiedorganic
I know no joy as great as a moment of rushing into a new love, no ecstasy like that of a new love.
~ Anais Nin
The words say it all. Magnificent drink. If you can get it. @turleywine 2015 Napa Valley Library Block Petite Syrah
Dark, brooding with a side of magnificent freshness.
And now back to Paris for a formidably fabulous Friday! Michelin-star restaurant- check! Fabulous dark and exquisite library for enjoying cocktails, a breathtaking entrance of a French hideaway from years ago...
Stunning Michelin star restaurant and beautiful bibliothèque with Parisian friends.
Bookmark this spot! I don’t often share where I dine unless I am out of the country, but because so many people ask 💋🍷💋#TheWineSiren I am going to change that. Take my favorite brunch and Fried Chicken spot! @southsidenapa offers not only some of the freshest most inviting dishes in Napa, they also have a wide array of coffee, tea, wine and bubbles to pair your dishes with.
Its one of the few #petfriendly places with great food and an inviting team. Lots of talent here in the food arena and the outdoor seating area is equipped with swinging chairs, a fire pit and comfortable seating inside and out.
Fried Chicken you ask? Yes! Pairs perfectly with your Napa Valley Sparkling and #Champagne.The best in Napa Valley. Make sure and call ahead, they often sell out.
Hours are 8am-2pm
Breakfast served all day and an expanded lunch menu.
With over 30 years of sustainability under their belt, Domaine Carneros has a big headstart in the way of sustainability. They built the first significant solar installation, recognized as the largest in the world at the time. Far beyond complacent, Domaine Carneros continues to push the limits and try new techniques and strategies to improve their abilities.
Domaine Carneros
An incredible indulgence and the ultimate experience.
It’s in my neighborhood. Two miles away door to door. Why do I find myself returning again and again? Because this is one of the most stunning destinations in Carneros and Napa Valley. Stunning in both taste and views.
The skies, the ultimate blue, the vineyard hills throughout the landscape. It’s a breathtaking pinch yourself situation no matter how often you visit.
The team is so welcoming and the sparkling wine is world class and made sustainably. If you’re ready to step up your sparkling wine game this is where you need to be.
The wines tasted:
2016 Estate Brut Cuvée (late disgorge) ripe pear, white flowers, creamy, beautiful structure.
2019 Brut Rosé Pinot Noir & Chardonnay, incredible well poised, citrus, red berries, almonds and floral notes
2015 Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs Tête de Cuvée The dream. A signature must taste from the most prized blocks of Chardonnay. Evocative of citrus curd, pie crust, a nuance of ginger and tart lemon. I could drink this all day every day!
2017 Ultra Brut Tropical fruit, lime, lemon zest, crisp, lovely palate and exquisite finish.
The ultimate indulgence, featuring three of Tsar Nicoulai’s finest caviars:
Classic, Select, and Golden Reserve
Served with potato chips, toast points, and Cowgirl Creamery crème fraîche.
Make your reservation today!
Domainecarneros.com and ask for the caviar experience!
#TheWineSiren #DomaineCarneros #CertifiedSustainable #NapaValley #WinePairing #SparklingWine
Incredible experience and it keeps on getting better every time I visit. Have you been to @goosecrosscellars ?
Fantastic red white and Rosé wine. There is absolutely something for everyone. Including clothes for the shoppers amongst us.
#rosé #roséallday #napavalley #winetasting #winelife #summervibes #bestday #goosecrosscellars #visitnapavalley
TWS: What does a Napa Green Certification mean exactly?
AB: Well, first I want to stress that sustainability and Napa Green are about a lot more than just environmental stewardship – by definition sustainability also addresses social equity, as well as resource efficiency and resilience practices that increase the business success ($) and longevity.
Our Napa Green Certified Vineyards have to implement more than 100 practices across six elements: Social Equity, Justice & Inclusion; Carbon Farming and Regenerative Agriculture; Irrigation & Water Efficiency; Tree & Forest Preservation & Enhancement; Prohibited & Restricted Pesticides; and Conservation/Low-Smoke Burning or Burn Alternatives.
AB: If you are wondering what “regenerative” farming means it is practices like cover crops, compost, and reduced tillage that increase soil health, organic matter, increase water and nutrient storage, biodiversity and increase the resilience of the vineyard to climate changes like drought and high heat days, ALL while also storing more carbon in the soil. This is exciting – farmers have an active and meaningful role they can play in fighting climate change.
Our Napa Green Certified Wineries have to implement more than 120 practices across Energy Efficiency; Water Efficiency; Waste Prevention and Green Purchasing; Climate Action; and Social Equity & Community. We also baseline and track their energy and water use and waste diversion annually to make sure they are working to improve performance.
TWS: How can people identify these wineries easily when in a market or buying wine online?
AB: This is an area with plenty of room for improvement. On our website, NapaGreen.org, you can see all of our Participating Members, and that is true for the handful of other sustainable wine-growing certifications in the U.S. as well. The easiest cue would be a logo on the bottle, but only a small subset of producers have added the certification logos to their labels. If you are a member of a wine club or have a particular favorite wine you know is committed to sustainability please encourage them to add this information on the bottle! Some certified members mention their sustainability commitments in their wine description and/or have sections on their website.
TWS: Is this program available to other AVAs around the country, around the world?
AB: We want to expand our umbrella beyond Napa County. We have our members ask us about this regularly because they also own wineries in other counties or even states. We’ve also had a few international requests. I’m hoping we can build this larger identity and impact in the next 1-2 years. In the meantime, there are five other sustainable wine-growing programs in the U.S. (only three that cover vineyard AND winery), two programs in Canada, and another 10 or so globally. So, this is a movement in the wine industry, and we want to do our part to keep pushing the industry to elevate its standards and leadership.
TWS: What kinds of questions can consumers ask of their favorite producers to determine how sustainable a winery is?
AB: Our goal is to set the leading industry standard for sustainable wine-growing. On that note, I’ve developed a set of Six Pillars that can serve as a filter to evaluate the true sustainability of an operation or certification – to be leading they should have standards around these six pillars: I. Saving energy & energy efficiency; II. Saving water & water efficiency; III. Preventing waste and environmentally preferable purchasing; IV. Phasing out harmful pesticides; V. Social equity & justice; VI. All of which folds into systematic Climate Action.
TWS: How can individuals helps better support our fight against climate change?
AB: Well, first, of course, you should use your purchasing power to support brands and companies that are committed to environmental stewardship, climate action, and social equity. Other easy steps: Set your thermostats at the most efficient level – 68 in the winter and 72 in the summer. Recycle – including wine bottles (did you know glass is infinitely recyclable but only 25% of glass bottles currently end up being recycled?). Don’t buy bottled water. If your electricity provider offers an “opt up” opportunity for 100% renewable electricity makes that small added investment. Bigger investments include installing your own solar and purchasing electric vehicles that can run on that sun energy. DO NOT feel powerless. If a lot of us make small changes it really does add up.
TWS: What is one thing most people don’t know about climate change they should?
AB: It’s here, it’s already happening, and we are facing “tipping points” within the next few years, and we have to take RAPID action. One example: The catastrophic mega-fires we are now experiencing every year on the west coast. My mother has had two homes burn down, one in 2017 and one in 2020. We have about a decade to accelerate action and make rapid changes, and the good news is we really have all of the tools we need. The key is will, fighting inertia, stepping up, changing our own behaviors, and demanding policy changes at the County, State, and Federal levels.
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