Wine Certification

Food Alliance offers the most comprehensive sustainability certification for wine—with certification standards and auditing protocols for the vineyard and the winery, and for social as well as environmental issues.

The wine industry is quickly becoming recognized as a leader in sustainable practices. Increasingly, wine grape growers are turning to USDA Organic, Biodynamic, and other regional certifications that address vineyard management practices and environmental outcomes. Some wineries are pursuing their own sustainability goals and programs by reducing resource consumption or promoting conservation.

But consumers have growing concerns not only for how wine grapes are grown but for what happens at the winery, and concerns not only for the environment, but also for the wellbeing of the people whose labor helps determine the quality of the final product.

“I’ve managed our vineyards according to organic principles for many years, but Food Alliance addresses the question of labor which isn’t a part of most of the other certification programs out there. You can’t make wine without people in the vineyard. Food Alliance certification recognizes the importance of taking good care of people while also addressing environmental concerns both on the farm and in the winery.”
- Dai Crisp, Owner
Lumos Wine Company

Food Alliance Certified wine grape growers must meet standards for safe and fair working conditions, soil and water conservation, and protection of wildlife habitat under the Whole Farm/Ranch Criteria, and operate in compliance with Grape Criteria.

Food Alliance Certified wineries must meet standards for safe and fair working conditions, conservation of energy and water, waste management, elimination of toxic and hazardous materials, and other facility management concerns under the Food Handler Criteria.

This comprehensive approach to certification assures wine drinkers that vineyards and wineries are meeting high standards for sustainability—from the vineyard to the bottle.