FROM SELF ASSSESSMENT TO THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION

In 1996, our local grower group pioneered the innovative Positive Points System, a 1,000 point self-assessment used to evaluate over 30,000 acres since its inception. As a tool, the PPS helped educate and guide hundreds of growers towards adopting practices that protect both human and natural resources.

In 2002, our members actively discussed the possible shift from self-evaluation to third-party certification. From dialogue came action, and in 2003, a group of dedicated growers and advisors met regularly to develop a set of farming standards that ensure environmentally conscious, economically feasible, and socially equitable farming operations.

Over a period of almost four years, we completed the standards and incorporated hundreds of comments from an extensive, facilitated peer review involving governmental, environmental, social, agricultural, and academic representatives.

In the fall of 2008, we successfully completed the Pilot Certification Program with fourteen vineyards from Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties representing various ranch sizes from 4 acres to 1100 acres. The purpose of the pilot program was to create procedures and finalize the standards for the 2009 Sustainability in Practice (SIP)™ Vineyard Certification Program. We are extremely grateful to the farmers and wineries who participated in the pilot project. Their generous commitment of time and resources is invaluable in shaping the program for years to come.

SIP™ Certified Vineyards
SIP™ Program Overview

For more information, contact Beth Vukmanic.