Key Takeaways:
- World’s First Tier 3 Regenified Certification: Mendocino Wine Company has become the first wine grape grower globally to achieve Tier 3 Regenified certification for its La Ribera and Home Ranch vineyards.
- Legacy of Environmental Excellence: A history of sustainability leadership, including being the first U.S. winery to achieve carbon-neutral status and winning California’s Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) three times.
- Commitment to Soil Health and Biodiversity: Emphasis on soil health and plant diversity, imitating nature’s systems to enhance the ecosystem and improve the quality of their grapes.
- Regenified’s Role in Certification: Regenified verifies and certifies regenerative practices under its 6-3-4™ Verification Standard, ensuring biodiversity, soil health, water quality, and harmony with nature.
- Contributions to the Wine Industry and Wider Community: The certification acknowledges the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing regenerative practices in the wine industry and setting a precedent for sustainable agriculture.
The Mendocino Wine Company has marked a significant milestone in sustainable viticulture by becoming the world’s first wine grape grower to receive the prestigious Tier 3 Regenified certification. This achievement for its La Ribera and Home Ranch vineyards signifies a significant step in the company’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship.
Mendocino Wine Company, a beacon of sustainability in the wine industry, has a history of environmental achievements. Notably, it was the first U.S. winery to attain carbon-neutral status, and it has dramatically received California’s GEELA for its dedication to environmentally responsible practices.
Chase Thornhill, the company’s owner and General Manager, has spearheaded this venture focusing on soil health. Thornhill’s philosophy revolves around the synergy between plants, animals, insects, and microbes, emphasizing the importance of plants as a bridge between the Earth’s surface and its atmosphere. By fostering a variety of plant species alongside vine crops, Mendocino Wine Company creates a thriving ecosystem that enhances soil quality and grape cultivation.
Regenerative farming, the core of their approach, seeks to mimic natural processes. It involves minimal soil disturbance, plant diversity, soil cover maintenance, and livestock integration. This approach combats soil degradation and promotes long-term sustainability. Regenified, a leader in regenerative agriculture certification, uses its 6-3-4™ Verification Standard to certify these practices, ensuring products are grown with principles that restore and maintain ecological balance.
Salar Shemirani, CEO of Regenified, commended Mendocino Wine Company’s dedication to regenerative practices, acknowledging their role in setting an example for the wine industry. The certification reflects not only their current efforts but also their commitment to continual improvement in regenerative agriculture.
Mendocino Wine Company’s vineyards, La Ribera and Home Ranch, span 230 acres in Mendocino County, California. These vineyards supply grapes for their flagship wine brands: Paul Dolan Vineyards, Moniker, and True Grit, which are available through their website and at select wine retailers.
Chase expressed honor in receiving the Regenified certification, viewing it as a step in their ongoing journey towards sustainability.
About Mendocino Wine Company:
Located in Mendocino’s Ukiah Valley, the family-owned Mendocino Wine Company is nationally recognized for its environmental innovation and excellence. It has received multiple awards for sustainable winegrowing and is a member of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) and a Certified California Sustainable Winery (CCSW). The company operates on the principle of leaving the world better than found, continually seeking innovative sustainability practices.
About Regenified:
Regenified is a leading land verification and product certification program promoting regenerative agriculture. It champions practices that enhance biodiversity, soil health, water quality, and nutrient density, aligning with nature’s systems. Regenified guides farms and brands towards practices that sustain and rejuvenate the Earth, supporting thriving ecosystems and transforming agriculture into a force for planetary healing. For more information, visit their website.
Image provided by the Mendocino Wine Company
