Raise a Glass to "Green" for California Wines Down to Earth Month

SAN FRANCISCO, April 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This April, get ready to raise your glass of red, white or rosé in a toast to all things "green" during the fourth-annual Down to Earth Month in California.  The eco-friendly fun lasts all month long with dozens of sustainability-focused events and activities to enjoy.

Created by Wine Institute—the association of 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses— Down to Earth Month raises awareness of California's leadership in sustainable winegrowing and winemaking.  Wineries across the state will engage consumers, policy leaders, media and trade with active and educational festivities such as Earth Day festivals, organic wine trails, dog-friendly vineyard hikes, wildlife talks, horseback rides, eco-tours and more. 

"We created Down to Earth Month as an engaging way for wine lovers to explore California wine's sustainability practices and the people and places behind them," said Bobby Koch, President and CEO of Wine Institute.  "It gives us the opportunity to celebrate and share the successes of our California Sustainable Winegrowing Program and help consumers and policy leaders understand our commitment to the environment."

A state Senate and Assembly joint resolution proclaiming April as "Down to Earth" month in California has been introduced to celebrate the sustainable leadership of California wineries and winegrape growers. Vineyards and wineries representing more than 70 percent of California's vineyard acreage and wine case production participate in the comprehensive California Sustainable Winegrowing Program, a remarkable scale of accomplishment as California is the world's fourth-largest wine producer.

If you're going to be in California in April, it's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in our world of wine and food at various events, such as:

Nort Coast

Mendocino County wineries are joining the Party for the Planet 2014 April 17–26, where visitors can attend organic gardening demos, enjoy musical performances, taste organic foods and wines from local purveyors, visit the amazing farmers markets and take advantage of lodging specials.  From April 1-30 in northern Sonoma County, the Green Trail of Dry Creek Valley offers a customized experience exploring the region's certified organic and biodynamic wineries. Eat, drink and be green April 19 at Celebrate Earth Day in Green Valley, which showcases music, food, the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of Green Valley and a true "rock star" experience: guest speaker Kevin Jorgeson, who free climbed the 3,000-foot Dawn Wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. April 25, the fun-filled festival Celebrate Earth Day in Downtown Napa highlights the Napa Valley Vintner's commitment to having all their eligible members certified Napa Green by 2020. 

San Francisco South Bay/Central Coast

Who would bring an owl to a party? San Luis Obispo County wineries, that's who! The Earth Day Food & Wine Festival on April 18 offers a fun, casual experience with more than 200 growers, vintners and chefs serving local wines and foods with music, dancing and more.  Plus the event proceeds benefit educational scholarships for relatives of farmworkers.  Paso Robles will celebrate the region's sustainable food and wine culture with the Central Coast Earth Day Food & Wine Weekend April 17-19. Nearby the Taste of Pismo on April 25 will offer local, sustainably grown wine and edibles at Dinosaur Caves Park overlooking the ocean in Pismo Beach.

The Santa Cruz Mountains Organic Wine Trail celebrates its earth-friendly wine region with organic wine trails, while the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association Passport Day boasts many eco-friendly barrel samples and special tasting flights on April 18.  Livermore Valley wineries are highlighting "Down to Earth" tours and tastings on April 18-19, including guided tastings and organically farmed vineyard and winery tours where visitors can learn about energy conservation (some use solar power) and discover sustainable methods for pest, soil and plant management.

California Sustainable Winegrowing

California is a world leader in sustainable winegrowing practices.  CSWA, a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization established by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers more than a decade ago, received the governor's top environmental award for increasing adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices in California and for  initiating new educational tools and program improvements. CSWA now has 1,900 vineyards and wineries as program participants.

Nearly 80 wineries and 308 vineyards around the state have taken an extra step by earning Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing status through a third-party certification program launched by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. To learn more, visit: www.discovercaliforniawines.com/sustainable-winegrowing.

Explore all of the Down to Earth Month activities at www.discovercaliforniawines.com/d2e. 

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150331/195892

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SOURCE Wine Institute

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