The Wine Makers – Napa Green RISE Symposium

This episode explores the Napa Green RISE Climate and Wine Symposium, focusing on its sustainability initiatives and impact on the wine industry. Against the backdrop of the symposium's third iteration, Anna Brittain, executive director of Napa Green, discusses its six pillars of sustainable winegrowing leadership, including water, energy, soil health, diversity, supply chain, and climate action. More significantly, the conversation highlights the RISE Leadership Awards, showcasing Cliff Family Winery's innovative packaging changes (reducing foil and bottle weight) and Domain Carneros' cutting-edge microgrid for energy efficiency. For instance, Sarah Richmond from Cliff Family Winery details how the symposium inspired their packaging overhaul, resulting in significant weight reduction and cost savings. In contrast, Gita Mallya from Domain Carneros explains their microgrid's ability to provide energy independence and resilience during power outages. The discussion also touches upon consumer awareness of sustainability and the importance of industry collaboration in driving change. What this means for the wine industry is a growing emphasis on sustainable practices, driven by both consumer demand and the long-term viability of businesses.