WHEREAS, Sustainability is a vital part of the long-term future of California wine, which contributes an estimated $57.6 billion in annual economic activity to California’s economy; and

WHEREAS, Nearly two decades ago, Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers created the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing, which is now in its 4th edition, and the vast majority of the state’s vineyards and wineries have since embraced the code, making it the most widely adopted sustainable winegrowing program worldwide in terms of winegrape acreage and wine production; and

WHEREAS, The California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing, now managed by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, is composed of 249 best practices for vineyards and wineries that benefit the environment, employees, neighbors, and the production of high-quality wine; and

WHEREAS, Wineries that produce 80 percent of California’s wine are Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, the third-party certification program added in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Other state and regional sustainability programs, such as Lodi Rules, Napa Green, and Sustainability in Practice (SIP Certified), along with organic and biodynamic certifications and regional sustainability commitments, all play an important role in the California wine communities’ efforts to grow grapes and produce wine in a manner that is environmentally sound, economically feasible, and socially equitable; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 50 percent of California vineyards are certified to Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Lodi Rules, Napa Green, or SIP Certified; and

WHEREAS, California’s wine community continually measures its impressive progress in conserving water, energy, and other natural resources; protecting habitat, employee well-being, and air, water, and soil quality; and promoting the use of natural pest management and alternative energy and fuels; and

WHEREAS, California wineries and winegrape growers make charitable contributions of $249,000,000 annually and generously contribute their time and expertise to communities and nonprofit organizations; and

WHEREAS, California’s 4,200 wineries and 5,900 winegrape growers are predominantly family businesses with a long-term commitment to the health and vitality of their communities and to preserving the land for future generations; and

WHEREAS, California growers’ and vintners’ commitment to sustainability was recognized with three Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards; and

WHEREAS, Winegrapes are one of nearly 400 specialty crops that are California grown, and many winegrowers and other farmers are dedicated to sustainable, organic, biodynamic production; and

WHEREAS, California’s wineries and regional associations host Down to Earth and Earth Day activities such as eco-tours, virtual events pairing sustainably produced wine and food, and other green activities during the month of April; now, therefore, be it