IMPLEMENT: SOIL HEALTH & CARBON SEQUESTRATION Healthy Soils are Essential for Vineyard Adaptation and Mitigation Maintaining and enhancing soil health is one of the most effective strategies for adapting to climate change impacts and addressing mitigation in a vineyard. Adaptation : Healthy soils can help address drought, excess precipitation and extreme heat. Management practices that increase organic matter, enhance soil structure, and reduce soil disturbance, especially during high rainfall events, can improve water availability and promote water storage and infiltration. Mitigation : Healthy soils sequester and store more atmospheric carbon. Soil amendments - including compost, biochar, and mulch - can help increase and retain soil organic carbon, and cover crops can also increase soil organic carbon. An added benefit to these climate smart practices is increased soil fertility, which improves plant health and resiliency to pests and disease pressure. The many benefits to healthy soils are the key reason it is an important part of any sustainable, regenerative, organic or biodynamic winegrowing approach. Priority Practices Quick Links: Optimizing Nitrogen Cover Crops Soil Amendments Reduced Tillage Non-Crop Vegetation & Carbon Carbon Sequestration: The capture and long-term storage of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) in plant material and soils. Plants are considered a “sink” for CO2 because they uptake CO2 during photosynthesis and store it in plant tissue such as leaves, wood, and roots. The burning of vines can release some of this carbon back into the atmosphere. Chipping and low smoke burning techniques used to produce biochar can significantly reduce these carbon loses. Optimizing Nitrogen is Vital to Reducing Vineyard GHG Emissions An important source of vineyard GHG emissions is the use of nitrogen fertilizers. When any nitrogen is added to soil, some of the applied nitrogen can be converted to N2 O. This can happen to any nitrogen-containing additive including synthetic fertilizers (e.g. nitrate and ammonium) and organic materials (e.g. green manures and pomace). All N2 O production associated with vineyards results from soil microbes using the nitrogen instead of the vines. Providing just enough nitrogen that vines need and timing nitrogen applications to ensure maximum uptake by roots can decrease N2 O emissions. Optimize Nitrogen Cover Crops are a Powerful Tool for Adaptation and Mitigation Cover crops can buffer the negative effects of extreme weather events — e.g., precipitation and flooding, along with heat waves. The use of cover crops can increase the storage of carbon in vineyard soils and decrease CO2 emissions. Perennial cover crops are most efficient at doing this because of their greater root production. In addition to increasing soil carbon, leguminous cover crops supply nitrogen to the soil, and may be used to decrease applications of synthetic fertilizers. Cover crops also decrease the offsite movement and loss of soil organic matter by erosion and nitrogen by leaching. Cover Crops Soil Amendments Soil Amendments Increase Water Storage Soil amendments such as compost, mulch and biochar can increase soil organic matter, water storage capacity and nutrient cycling. Compost can improve soil structure and increase soil water storage, with the level of impact dependant on the compost characteristics and the number and rate of applications. Mulch is effective as both a soil cover, improving soil water storage, and a means of increasing soil organic matter. Biochar has many positive benefits including on water and nutrient retention, improved soil structure and carbon sequestration. Reduced Tillage Helps with Mitigation and Adaptation The act of tilling soil can consume substantial quantities of fossil fuel. By breaking up soil aggregates, tillage increases soil emissions of CO2 and N2 O by mobilizing carbon and nitrogen, thus allowing microbes to access and consume previously protected organic matter. Each tillage pass causes some loss of soil-sequestered carbon. Decreases in tillage not only limit CO2 emissions but protects against the loss of organic matter through erosion which increases the soils ability to absorb excess precipitation. Reduced Tillage Non-Crop Vegetation Carbon Sequestration Potential Non-crop vegetation in and around vineyards such as buffer strips, hedgerows, natural woodlands, and riparian flora can also contribute to climate mitigation. The carbon stored in these woody long-lived perennial plants and the soil in these areas can represent a large source of sequestered carbon, significantly decreasing overall GHG emissions. Oak woodlands, for example, can store large amounts of above- and below-ground carbon over their lifetime. In addition, these areas can help reduce soil erosion and runoff, which helps in extreme weather events that are increasing due to climate change and increases carbon sequestration potential by keeping soil in place. Non-Crop Vegetation Sustainable, Regenerative, Organic and Biodynamic Farming are Climate Smart Many of the soil health practices included in this toolkit will look familiar to growers who participate in certification programs for sustainable, regenerative, organic or biodynamic winegrape growing. All of these farming approaches include practices to build and maintain soil health, which has a direct impact on the ability of a vineyard to mitigate and adapt to climate change. To learn more about the relationship between sustainable and regenerative winegrowing, see the CSWA Sustainable and Regenerative Winegrowing Handout , which includes a list of regenerative winegrowing principles and examples of practices to help winegrape growers better understand and communicate about the relationship. Resources: Soil Health & Carbon Sequestration Implementation Guide : The guide includes practices and resources for optimizing nitrogen, increasing organic matter, cover crops, carbon sequestration and erosion prevention. Habitat & Biodiversity Implementation Guide : The guide outlines key practices and resources to support implementation of wildlife habitat such as hedgerows, buffer strips and nesting boxes, native woodlands and riparian and aquatic habitats.

STEP 3: IMPLEMENT Guidance, Resources and Tips for Climate Smart Practice Adoption Once you have identified your climate action goals in Step 2: Assess & Plan, you can find information about how to implement specific climate smart practices in this section. Either navigate directly to the topics and practices identified in your climate action plan or browse topics to learn more about why those practices are important for building climate resiliency and what steps and resources are needed for implementation. Navigate to Implementation Guides Below or via the Navigation Bar Navigate directly to relevant topics and practices using the list below or by using the menu at the top of the page. Helpful information on practices that are included in your climate action plan is organized by Vineyard , Winery or Supply Chain.   Vineyard Practices: Viticulture Adaptation Soil Health & Carbon Sequestration Drought Resiliency & Irrigation Energy Efficiency & Renewables Winery Practices: Energy Efficiency & Renewables Water & Solid Waste Supply Chain Practices (Vineyard & Winery): Sustainable Purchasing & Suppliers Packaging Transportation Implementation Guides Provide Detailed How-To Information and Cost Share Opportunities Each climate smart practice in this toolkit has an accompanying implementation guide. These guides provide detailed information and concrete steps to carry out the climate smart practice along with resources and tools to assist with implementation. Cost-share and incentives may be available through governmental and non-governmental organizations to reduce the financial burden of certain practices; therefore, the end of each guide contains a Cost-Share Opportunities section with available assistance and funding opportunities. A list of the implementation guides can also be found on the Resources page.

STEP 1: LEARN Why Climate Action is Needed: The Case for Climate Action The Case for Mitigation: Why Cutting Emissions is Essential California Wine Climate Action Progress What Climate Action Means for Vineyards & Wineries: Climate Smart Practices Help Mitigation and Adaptation Climate Smart Practices for Vineyards & Wineries Major Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Vineyards and Wineries Carbon Emissions Scopes Carbon Footprints and Hotspots The Case for Climate Action We are experiencing direct impacts of climate change now. The climate impacts facing the wine industry are broad and include: drought and limited water availability excess rainfall extreme heat frost pest and disease pressure changing seasonality wildfire and smoke climate change-related regulatory and market requirements Already the California wine community is dealing with more frequent and intense heatwaves and greater year-to-year variability in rainfall, increasing the risk for both flooding and drought, and changes in wildfire dynamics. Scientists expect that these impacts will continue to increase and affirm that climate change poses significant threats to California agriculture. Climate-driven changes in environmental conditions will also increase pest and disease pressure and create changes in seasonality, which can have profound effects on winegrapes that can vary by location and grape variety. In addition, wineries must contend with power shut offs, increased power needs due to extreme heat, increased regulatory requirements related to climate change and marketplace demands from retailers and other customers with climate goals. While the list of impacts can seem overwhelming, fortunately, for decades California growers and vintners have used sustainable practices and approaches that are “climate smart”. Climate smart refers to practices that help manage a vineyard or winery’s climate challenges and risks, mitigate climate change impacts (through carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions), and build resiliency to current and future climate impacts.With greater awareness on increasing adoption of specific climate smart practices, vineyards and wineries can improve their resiliency and take part in climate change solutions. The Case for Mitigation: Why Cutting Emissions is Essential Scientists agree that we need to limit global average temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to avoid the worst impacts from climate change. Unfortunately, in 2025 we are already near the cusp of surpassing this benchmark, if not already past it. The goal is still relevant because it is broadly understood; used by businesses, governments and organizations worldwide; and still represents the most aligned pathway for climate change mitigation. Governments globally are increasingly implementing climate policies to reduce GHG emissions, and California has played a leading role in climate and energy policy. In 2022, California released the world’s first plan for a jurisdiction to achieve net zero carbon pollution, which would drastically cut emissions and accelerate transition to clean energy. (Net zero refers to a state when GHGs going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere and is an internationally recognized goal for mitigating global warming). Since the California wine industry operates in a state with a regulatory framework that includes ambitious climate change goals, it will require California businesses to make changes now and in the future. In addition, many U.S. and international wine retailers have climate goals aligned with 1.5°C and net zero. International alignment on climate action will continue to adapt in response to the reality of our progress, but retailers and other customers will continue to pursue climate goals, putting pressure on their supply chain partners, including wineries, to reduce their emissions in line with climate science and/or to report on their GHG emissions. California Wine Climate Action Progress Within the California wine industry, many steps have already been taken to better understand, measure and improve the industry’s carbon footprint including climate smart practices and metrics tracking in sustainability programs and certifications. With over two decades of working together on a common sustainable winegrowing goal, the California wine community has demonstrated that collaboration is effective and leads to positive outcomes. By conducting a Carbon Footprint Assessment of California wine and working with international partners via FIVS (an international trade association for all sectors of the alcohol beverage industry) to develop an International Wine Greenhouse Gas Protocol we have a clear sense of the priority practices for implementation, education and outreach. Additionally, many wineries are taking individual action, participating in sustainability programs that promote climate beneficial practices, or joining groups such as the International Wineries for Climate Action . While California wine is leading the way in terms of sustainable winegrowing, we need to do more — individually and together — to advance climate action. Climate Smart Practices Help Mitigation and Adaptation There are two primary types of action to address climate change — mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation refers to practices that help limit the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (decarbonization) and removing atmospheric carbon in a highly permanent manner (e.g., sequestering carbon in soil and woody plant material). Decarbonization is the primary goal of mitigation efforts, and mainly focuses on switching the source of energy from fossil fuels, such as natural gas and oil, to carbon-free renewable energy sources. It includes reducing overall energy use first, primarily through energy efficiency measures, electrifying equipment, and powering with renewable energy such as solar and wind. Adaptation refers to practices that help adjust to current and future effects of climate change or take advantage of opportunities presented by climate change. Adaptation helps operations be more resilient to climate change impacts and understand and manage risks from societal responses to climate change (e.g., regulatory or labor practice changes.) Climate Smart Practices for Vineyards & Wineries Practices that either help mitigate or adapt to climate change are commonly referred to as “climate smart.” The diagram below provides examples of mitigation and adaptation practices. As you can see, many climate smart winegrowing practices help with both mitigation and adaptation. The Case for Climate Action Climate Acton Progress Climate Smart Practices Help Mitigation Adaptation The Case for Mitigation Climate Smart Pratices for Vineyard & Wineries Major Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Vineyards and Wineries GHG emissions are gases that trap the sun’s heat and cause the greenhouse effect, which leads to global climate change. One of the largest sources of GHG emissions for vineyards and wineries is carbon dioxide (CO2 ) from the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation. The main GHG produced by viticulture is nitrous oxide (N2 O). The importance of N2 O comes from its strong ability to act as a GHG. N2 O is roughly 300 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, so a small amount of N2 O can cause as much global warming as a very large amount of CO2 . When nitrogen is added to soil, some of the applied nitrogen can be converted to N2 O by soil microbes. This can happen to any nitrogen-containing additive including synthetic fertilizers (e.g., nitrate and ammonium) and organic materials (e.g., green manures and pomace). CO2 is also generated in vineyards through intense tilling. Besides being a source of GHGs, agricultural systems can help offset emissions by the capture and long-term storage of carbon in vegetative structures and soils. This process is referred to as carbon sequestration or a carbon sink. For wineries, the main GHG is CO2 which is attributed primarily to purchased energy, which includes electricity, diesel, and other fossil fuels. In addition to energy needed for wine production and transportation, the production of packaging materials such as glass bottles and corrugated boxes require a lot of energy and result in CO2 emissions. Evaporative losses of refrigerants are also important sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The gases emitted from refrigeration systems are similar to N2 O as they are more effective than CO2 at trapping heat, which gives them a higher global warming potential (GWP), which is typically thousands of times greater than CO2 .  Carbon Emissions Scopes Companies’ greenhouse gas emissions are classified into three scopes. Scope 1 refers to direct emissions from activities under the company’s control such as production and company vehicles. Scope 2 refers to all purchased electricity. Scope 3 refers to indirect emissions from the supply chain. The International Wineries for Climate Action provides a useful graphic below that outlines the scopes for vineyards and wineries. Major Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Vineyards and Wineries Carbon Emissions Scopes Above Graphic: International Wineries for Climate Action (2021), Overview of Greenhouse Gas Emissions across the Wine Value Chain . Carbon Footprints and Hotspots A carbon footprint assessment calculates the total amount of GHG produced by a product, such as wine (or an activity, individual or organization). In 2014, a carbon footprint assessment was conducted for a 9-liter case of wine produced in California and shipped within the United States. The study included the extraction and production of raw materials (e.g., fertilizer, diesel), grape cultivation, transportation of the grapes to wineries, winery operations, packaging, and, finally, distribution to warehouses and retail stores in the United States (truck and rail transport). The assessment identified hotspots, areas with the greatest opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint. A carbon footprint literature review was conducted in 2025 and found that the relative importance of emissions from various vineyard and winery activities in the 2014 assessment are largely still accurate and in the range of more recent studies. (A summary of the review is available here .)California growers and vintners can use the results of the study as a guide when considering opportunities to reduce their carbon footprint. Many opportunities for carbon footprint reduction will also lead to efficiencies in operations and reduced costs associated with raw material and energy purchases. Further, reduction of GHG emissions can help address regulatory and market pressures and mitigate business risk. Carbon Footprints and Hotspots GO TO STEP 2 - ASSESS & PLAN

Climate-Smart Winegrowing Course: From Understanding to Action Why Take This Course The impacts of climate change are already being felt by the wine industry and beyond. By better understanding climate change, vineyards and wineries can take action to address and prepare for the impacts. This course provides a foundation for climate change concepts and demonstrates why taking climate action is essential for California vineyards and wineries. Course participants will be able to identify opportunities to implement climate smart practices and contribute to building resiliency in their operations. Who Should Take It This course is intended for wine professionals who want to gain an understanding of climate smart winegrowing, including: Vineyard and winery operations staff, owners and sustainability/green teams who are interested in understanding how climate change may impact their company and how to get started taking meaningful climate action Communications, hospitality and sales staff who want to be able to confidently share information about their company’s climate action Wine writers, educators and consultants Other interested wine industry partners (e.g., retailers, sommeliers, restaurateurs, distributors, importers) Course Objectives The Case for Climate Action: Explain the impacts of climate change on the California wine industry and describe why climate action is essential to the industry’s future. Opportunities for Vineyard and Winery Climate Action: Understand actionable climate strategies and describe how specific practices can reduce climate impacts and build resilience in vineyard and winery operations. Get Started Taking Action: Identify climate action opportunities that are appropriate for your operation and get started using the California Vineyard & Winery Climate Action Toolkit. About the Course This free, one-hour course includes modules on: The Case for Climate Action, Climate Smart Terms & Concepts, Vineyard Climate Action, Winery Climate Action and Supply Chain Engagement. It includes chapter quizzes and concludes with a final exam. Participants scoring 70% or higher on the final exam are able to download a personalized Climate Smart Winegrowing Certificate. You may log out and return to the lessons or exam at any time.   Take the Course Take the Course

IMPLEMENT: WINERY PACKAGING Packaging’s High Carbon Footprint Wine is fundamentally a packaged product, with glass bottles serving as the iconic and traditional packaging choice. While glass remains dominant, it's important to recognize that alternative packaging types offer significant value and diverse benefits. Throughout the lifecycle from production to disposal, wine packaging contributes substantially to California wine's carbon footprint , accounting for approximately 38% of the total environmental impact. Each stage of the packaging process—from raw material extraction to final disposal—creates environmental stress through energy consumption, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. The wine industry has committed to improving packaging sustainability through multiple approaches. This includes collaborating with vendors to reduce carbon footprints and partnering with municipalities to enhance recycling processes. Priority Practices Quick Links: Lightweight Bottles & Alternative Packaging Evaluate Packaging Needs Sustainable Packaging Solutions: Lightweight Bottles & Alternative Packaging As global sustainability leaders, many California wine producers are actively evaluating methods to reduce their packaging impact, exploring strategies such as lightweight bottles and alternative packaging solutions (e.g., aluminum cans, bag-in-the box, wine kegs) and choosing products made with recycled content that can be recycled after use. Benefits of Lightweight Bottles: Weight: Lightweight glass bottles require less energy to manufacture, transport, and recycle, which reduces the carbon footprint of wine. Lightweighting can reduce a winery’s carbon footprint by 10-22% and lead to significant cost savings in the long run. Cost: Lightweight bottles cost less than heavy bottles to produce and are more economical to transport since they weigh less and take up less space on pallets. Recycling: Under current guidelines in California, wine bottles must be made from at least 35% post-consumer glass content, though many have higher recycled content. Lightweight bottles are easier for recycling facilities to handle, sort, and process. They also require less energy to melt down and reshape. Strength and durability: Lightweight glass has been shown to be just as strong and durable as traditional glass packaging due to innovations in manufacturing. Benefits of Aluminum Packaging: Weight: Aluminum cans weigh nearly half as much as glass bottles for the same volume of wine. This translates to lower shipping costs and CO2 emissions due to less weight for transport. Cost: Aluminum is cheaper than glass to manufacture and the lighter weight means shipping costs are also lower. Recycling: Cans are made from 70% or more recycled aluminum and are endlessly recyclable. Innovation: Slim cans, 4-packs and other innovative packaging such as aluminum wine bottles offer convenience (no corkscrew) and portability. The smaller portion size of cans appeals to moderation and new packaging options contribute to marketplace diversification. Lightweight Bottles Evaluate Packaging Needs Reducing packaging impact requires a nuanced approach, as there is no universal solution that works for all producers. Each winery must evaluate various factors to determine the packaging solution that best aligns with their specific business needs and sustainability goals. When determining the best packaging type for your product, consider the following factors: Material (e.g., cost-effectiveness, end-user convenience) Recyclability Energy Use & Carbon Footprint Waste Generation Transportation Efficiency (e.g., weight, durability) Consumer Perceptions and Market Demand Packagin Needs Resources: Sustainable Packaging Factsheet : Provides information on packaging factors to consider and a decision matrix for alternative packaging types. Innovations in Sustainable Packaging: Three Case Studies of Alternative and Lightweight Packaging : Shares examples from wineries who have implemented sustainable packaging changes. Unpacking Wine: A Practical Journey Through the Environmental Landscape of Packaging : An in-depth guide developed by the Porto Protocol with practical, actionable steps for making packaging decisions that reduce the environmental footprint of packaging. Trade Research on Climate Beneficial Attributes of Wine : Results from a 2023 trade research study that includes packaging considerations and trade perceptions of lightweight bottles.

HOW TO USE The toolkit is organized into three steps that you can use in a linear or non-linear way, depending on your starting point and organizational goals. STEP 1 - LEARN STEP 2 - ASSESS & PLAN STEP 3 - IMPLEMENT Learn why climate action is essential to navigate the current and expected impacts of climate change. Identify and prioritize climate smart practices to include in your Climate Action Plan. Get information about climate smart practices, link to resources and tips on implementation. Getting Started Below are some suggestions for using the toolkit based on where you are starting from and your goals. New to Climate Action: If you are just beginning to better understand how climate change will impact your vineyard and/or winery, we suggest you work through the three toolkit steps in order: Learn, Assess & Plan, and Implement. Once you complete the steps, you will have a written Climate Action Plan that summarizes your goals and prioritizes practices for implementation. Create a Climate Action Plan: If you understand why climate action is needed, you can jump straight to Step 2: Assess & Plan to begin creating your Climate Action Plan and prioritizing climate smart practices for implementation. Browse through the Implement step to find resources about specific practices that help mitigate and adapt to climate change. Support an Existing Climate Strategy: If you manage an existing climate strategy and already have a climate action plan for your vineyard and/or winery, the Implement step provides helpful information on practices that are likely already in your strategy. However, reviewing the Learn and Assess & Plan sections may be valuable, as there may be new information to integrate into your strategy or share with others in your organization for educational purposes. Download the Climate Action Worksheet Regardless of where you start, completing the Climate Action Plan Worksheet as you make your way through the toolkit will help you create a strategy and implementation plan, focus time and resources, and provide a place to record insights. There are two versions available – a comprehensive, in-depth Excel version or a simple, high-level Word version. Excel Word Video: How to Use the Toolkit Watch this video to learn how to work through the toolkit steps to develop your personalized Climate Action Plan and strategy.

Welcome to the California Vineyard & Winery Climate Action Toolkit! The impacts of climate change are already being felt throughout California's wine industry and beyond. This toolkit is designed for California vineyards and wineries to better understand and address the impacts of climate change. By using the toolkit, you can create a climate action plan, which will identify and prioritize climate smart practices, include guidance on implementation, and ultimately build resiliency to thrive in a changing climate. The toolkit supports winegrowers who are at different starting points in addressing climate change: those just beginning to understand the impacts of climate change on their business, those with climate action strategies in place, and all of those in between. Please visit the “How to Use ” page to determine the best place in the toolkit to begin. What is Climate Action for Vineyards & Wineries? Climate action involves implementing practices, such as those shown below, that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon and prepare for the impacts of climate change. In addition to integrating climate smart strategies throughout your business, climate action can also include raising awareness within your organization and with customers and suppliers. Toolkit Development This toolkit was developed as part of a climate smart grant project and is a living resource that will be updated over time. CSWA would like to thank the many project partners and participants on the Climate Action Advisory Group who dedicated their time and expertise to ensure the toolkit includes the latest best practices and reflects the current science around climate change. View the list of advisors here .

Anchor 1 Anchor 1 IMPLEMENT: TRANSPORTATION Importance of Transportation in the Context of Climate Change Transportation is responsible for more than a quarter of all GHG emissions globally. Removing fossil fuels from transportation is a critical part of climate action, with the state of California and many other jurisdictions looking to eliminate fossil fuel usage by 2040 or earlier. Electrification of transportation, which can then be powered with renewable energy, is the ultimate goal. Global investments in decarbonizing transportation is substantial, with billions invested annually. Supply Chain & Logistics The transport of wine, purchased materials, employee travel and waste removal represents a substantial portion of a California winery or vineyard’s overall carbon footprint. While optimizing company-owned vehicles addresses direct fuel use (Scope 1), reducing Scope 3 emissions requires looking beyond vehicles in your direct control by optimizing freight, distribution networks, packaging, and third-party logistics. Optimizing Wine Distribution & Freight The transportation of wine from the winery to warehouse and retail locations is a significant portion of the carbon footprint. Optimizing distribution through strategic shipping modes, bulk transit, and packaging design offers key opportunities for GHG reductions. Consider wine packaging that optimizes volumes for transport (e.g., lighter bottles that allow more cases per shipment, alternative packaging that is more compact). Where possible, choose rail transport for wine distribution since it is the least carbon intensive mode of transportation. Consider bulk shipping over long distances and bottling closer to the point of sale, when possible. Partnering with Sustainable Logistics Providers Many transportation services providers, including those that distribute wine, are actively planning their own fleet electrification efforts. In addition to selecting providers who are committed to reducing GHG emissions, vineyards and wineries can develop their own Fleet Electrification Transition Plan to: map out their own fleet replacement schedule, identify the opportunities to prioritize specific vehicle electrification, understand their necessary charging infrastructure, and engage with their suppliers to understand and encourage their electrification. Employee Commuting & Business Travel Emissions generated by employee travel and commute patterns fall under Scope 3 indirect emissions. Implementing flexible policies and supporting alternative transit options can significantly cut these miles. Examples of strategies include: Active & Sustainable Commuting Carpooling & Public Transit: Encourage ridesharing and commute alternatives. Commuter Benefits: Consider offering transit benefits or incentives for employees who use public transportation or non-motorized transport. Active Commuting Support: Encourage biking to work by exploring amenities like showers or changing facilities, or by offering optional financial support for e-bike purchases or leases. Supporting active transportation has the added benefit of promoting overall employee health and wellness. Flexible Work Policies Remote & Hybrid Options: Where roles allow (such as administrative, marketing, or management positions), offer hybrid or work-from-home options to eliminate commute trips entirely. Flexible Scheduling: Consider allowing flexible start and end times so staff can avoid peak traffic hours, reducing emissions spent idling in traffic. Business Travel Optimization Virtual-First Meetings: Utilize virtual meetings whenever possible to replace non-essential travel. Minimize Flight Emissions: When business travel is necessary, prioritize direct flights, encourage rail for shorter regional routes, and select airlines with active decarbonization or Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) initiatives. Resources: Vehicles & Transportation - Implementation Guide : Provides details on reducing GHG emissions related to vineyard and winery transportation, sustainable vehicle procurement, reducing vehicle energy use and optimizing wine distribution.

IMPLEMENT: WINERY WATER & SOLID WASTE Conserving Water in the Winery Contributes to Adaptation and Mitigation California vintners recognize the need to conserve water and improve efficiency to ensure the future availability of quality water – for agriculture, communities, and the environment. Increased droughts expected with climate change will create more pressure on wineries to conserve water. Reducing water used in the winemaking, cleaning and sanitation processes begins with identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements through a water assessment and comprehensive water management program. Being climate smart in the winery to maximize water use efficiency reduces GHG emissions by using less energy to pump, heat and move water. Effective Solid Waste Management Can Reduce a Winery’s Carbon Footprint Reducing and recycling solid waste helps conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gases and decrease costs for businesses. Monitoring and reducing solid waste can have a significant impact on a winery's overall carbon footprint by reducing both the energy required to create new items from raw materials and the emissions associated with sending items to landfill. Reducing, reusing, and recycling materials provides greenhouse gas emissions reductions and other benefits through: Reducing methane emissions by reducing organic material sent to landfill. Repurposing organic material to increase soil health. Recycling materials and reducing the energy (and associated GHGs) needed to create a new product from raw materials. A Climate Smart Approach to Winery Water & Solid Waste Promotes a Circular Supply Chain A climate smart approach for both winery water and solid waste aims to create a circular supply chain by implementing the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. A circular supply chain attempts to eliminate waste and continually use resources. Below are some examples of how winery water and solid waste can be managed with reducing, reusing and recycling in mind. Reduce: Water: Conserve water (e.g., monitor and measure, address hot spots such as sanitation, seek vendors who use less water in the manufacturing of the products you purchase). Solid Waste: Reduce consumption and/or explore alternative products of materials used in the winery (such as lighter weight glass) and work with vendors to reduce the packaging used for winery materials. Reuse: Water: Hot water used to clean barrels can be filtered and re-used several times, drastically reducing overall water usage for this practice. Solid Waste: Compost food, pomace, lees and cardboard – doing so can divert 50% or more of winery’s solid waste stream. Work with vendors to take back packaging used to deliver materials. Cardboard case boxes used in the winery can be broken down carefully and reused up to five times for rebottling and moving wine back into the tasting room, which also results in cost savings. Recycle: Water: Process water from the winery that is treated properly can be used for irrigation in vineyards and winery landscaping or alternatively discharge it on land to recharge the local aquifer. Solid Waste: Collect and recycle single-use plastics (e.g., pallet wrap). Once all reuse options have been exhausted for non-compostable items such as paper and glass products, recycle these items using local recycling facilities. Resources: Solid Waste - Implementation Guide : Provides details on how to conduct a solid waste audit and how to reduce, reuse and recycle winery materials such as glass, cardboard, pallets, corks, plastic, metal, food waste, etc. Winery Water - Implementation Guide : Provides details on creating a water conservation management program to conserve water throughout the winery operations.

IMPLEMENT: DROUGHT RESILIENCY & IRRIGATION Building Resiliency to Uncertain Water Availability Reduced water availability will be one of the most significant climate change challenges faced by California vineyards. The increased variability of seasonal precipitation, lower snowpack and more frequent and intense heatwaves increase the risk for drought and may result in unreliable surface water availability. Warmer temperatures and more extreme heat days will increase water demand, which in some regions may be exacerbated by decreased winter precipitation which is necessary for soil moisture recharge. Adopting water conservation practices and creating dynamic irrigation systems can help manage for unreliable water availability. Priority Practices Quick Links: Reducing Water Demand Optimizing Irrigation Reducing Water Demand Water conservation can be achieved by reducing water demand and/or reducing water application. By increasing soil health, choosing rootstocks or scions with higher water use efficiencies, or managing grapevine canopies with water use in mind, overall water demand can be reduced. In some regions in California, winegrapes can be dry farmed, where no irrigation is used after vines are established, when specific winegrowing techniques are used. Improve soil health to increase soil water holding capacity, through: Reduced tillage Planting cover crops and hedgerows Adding amendments to soil to reduce water evaporation (compost, biochar, mulch around the vines). Avoid soil compaction with machinery which diminishes soil tilth and holding capacity resulting in excessive run off. Water Conservation Impacts of Drought on Winegrapes Drought can prevent a grower from meeting the crop’s water demands, leading to water stress on the vines. Water stress can: Slow plant development Reduce nutrient uptake Decrease crop yield Decrease soil moisture which increases soil temperatures In extreme cases, kill the crop Optimizing Irrigation Irrigation is an important tool to maintain healthy grapevines during extreme heat and drought. When irrigation water is limited or scarce, increasing your irrigation efficiency so your plants have water when you need it most will mitigate the water stress caused by climate change. Many cutting-edge and emerging technologies aim to assist growers in using a data-driven precision irrigation approach to support water conservation while maintaining grape yield and quality despite fluctuations in water availability. Growers benefit from adopting technologies that provide site-specific information on evapotranspiration the grower can adjust based on field experience. The practice of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) can help reduce water application. Use soil moisture probes and pressure bombs to sense soil moisture and plant stress for effective regulated deficit irrigation. Maintain irrigation systems for optimum performance and distribution uniformity by conducting distribution uniformity tests. Use flow meters to monitor irrigation rates and estimates of field-scale ET via surface renewal and remote sensing. Utilize deficit irrigation strategies to balance production goals with available water resources during drought. Irrigation Efficiency Water Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Vineyard water use can also impact GHG emissions and carbon sequestration. Wet soils harbor increased microbial activity resulting in N2 0 production, and wet and warm soils can increase CO2 emissions through increased microbial activity and decomposition of organic matter. Emissions can be offset by storing carbon in vine tissue, which is especially effective if the vines live for a long time. Ultimately, climate smart water management practices can conserve water and enhance winegrape quality while mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. Implementation Guides: Soil Health & Carbon Sequestration Implementation Guide : The guide includes practices and resources for improving soil health (e.g., increasing organic matter, cover crops) to increase soil water holding capacity. Vineyard Water Use Efficiency Implementation Guide : The guide includes practices and resources for maximizing water use efficiency, regulated deficit irrigation, and optimizing irrigation systems.

RESOURCES Additional Resources Communicating Climate Action Glossary of Climate Smart Terms Resources Referenced throughout Toolkit Climate Action Plan Worksheet - Template Implementation Guides Literature Review - California Climate Hub Carbon Footprint Study Cost-Share Opportunities California Winegrape Growers and Vintners are on a Climate Action Mission:  To use climate smart practices to lead the way towards a vibrant and sustainable future. We are the fourth largest wine producing region in the world, with nearly 400,000 acres of certified sustainable vineyards, more than 65% of the state’s total vineyards, and with 90% of California wine made in a certified sustainable winery. Our climate smart winemaking methods are working — at a scale that makes a difference.     Climate Change Demands Climate Action  In California we’ve learned to change course when necessary, adapting our winegrowing practices to save natural resources and make better wine.      By striking a balance between long-established and modern-day practices, we’ve found ways to reduce energy consumption and lessen our environmental impact. Be it with electric tractors, LEED-certified buildings, night harvesting or adorable flocks of sheep, the changes we’ve incorporated have made a measurable difference.     Climate change has stirred most of us to action like never before, and California winegrape growers and vintners believe their best years are ahead of them. Judging by recent vintages, we’d have to agree.      Your Choice Matters. Choose California. Choose Climate Smart Wine.   From grapes to glass, California wines are made by people who believe in a sustainable future for their wines. They’ve made choices, in the vineyard and winery, to use climate smart practices so you can feel good about the wines you choose.    Communicating Communicating Climate Action Incorporating climate action messaging into your sustainability communications is an effective way to share with your customers and stakeholders the many ways the California wine community and your company are addressing climate change. Below are a few examples of climate action messages that you may use verbatim or modify to make relevant for your own marketing and communications needs. See a full list of example climate action message points . Resources: California Wine Climate Action Message Points : A guide to help wineries and vineyards create communications and marketing messages about climate smart practices. U.S. Wine Trade and Climate Beneficial Practices : Results of research that indicates U.S. wine trade is interested in the climate beneficial attributes of sustainable wine. For more tips on communicating sustainability: Communicating Sustainability Tips: Integrating sustainability into communications strategies Communications Training Guide, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing Glossary of Climate Smart Terms Adaptation: Adaptation refers to practices that help adjust to current and future effects of climate change (such as reduced water availability) or take advantage of opportunities presented by climate change. Carbon Footprint: Vineyard Carbon Footprint: The amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted from vineyard operations (e.g., grape cultivation, equipment use, irrigation, fertilizer and pesticide application, harvesting) minus the carbon sequestered in the vineyard's soil and vegetation. Winery Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by a winery operation’s activities, including wine production, packaging, distribution, etc. Carbon Sequestration: The capture and long-term storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in plant material and soils. Plants are considered a “sink” for CO2 because they uptake CO2 during photosynthesis and store it in plant tissue such as leaves, wood, and roots. Climate Positive (aka Carbon Negative): When an organization reduces more emissions than are produced, achieved through reducing use of fossil fuels, using renewable energy and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (i.e., carbon sequestration). Circular Supply Chain: A system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources. Climate Smart Winegrowing: Refers to practices that help manage a vineyard or winery’s climate challenges and risks, mitigate climate change impacts (through carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions), and build resiliency to current and future climate impacts. Decarbonization: Switching the source of energy from fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil to carbon-free renewable energy sources. GHG Inventory: A quantified accounting of an operation’s activities that release greenhouse gas emissions or remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A GHG inventory can help an operation manage GHG risks and identify reduction opportunities. The emissions included in a GHG inventory are divided into three scopes: Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3. Scope 1: Refers to direct emissions from activities under the company’s control such as production and company vehicles. Scope 2: Refers to all purchased energy (electricity and fuel). Scope 3: Refers to indirect emissions from the value chain such as those generated from transporting and distributing products. Scope 3 emissions for your company are other organizations scope 1 and 2 emissions. Global Warming Potential: The ability of a greenhouse gas to trap extra heat compared to CO2. GHGs referred to as “potent” have a much higher global warming potential than CO2. Hotspot: An area of the product life cycle that has significant potential impact on an environmental aspect, such as GHG emissions, and is identified and generally agreed upon by experts. The intent of identifying hotspots is to understand where to focus improvement initiatives. Mitigation: Mitigation refers to practices that help to reduce the impacts of climate change by reducing emissions of GHGs or through carbon sequestration. Glossary Adaptation Mitigation Carbon footnote Climate Action Plan Worksheet Climate Action Plan Worksheet The Climate Action Plan Worksheet will help you create a strategy for climate mitigation and adaptation, identify where to focus time and resources and a plan for implementation. The worksheet includes a checklist that you can use to track your progress through the toolkit and provides guidance on what information to add to the worksheet. Climate Action Plan Worksheet (Excel File: comprehensive version) Climate Action Plan Worksheet (Word File: simple version) Implementation Guides These guides provide detailed information and concrete steps to implement climate smart practices along with resources and tools to assist with implementation. Cost-share and incentives may be available through governmental and non-governmental organizations to reduce the financial burden of certain practices; therefore, the end of most guides contains a Cost-Share Opportunity section with available assistance and funding opportunities. Vineyard Guides: Viticulture Adaptation Soil Health & Carbon Sequestration Habitat and Biodiversity Vineyard Water Use Efficiency Energy Efficiency & Renewables Sustainable Purchasing Vehicles & Transportation Solid Waste Winery Guides: Energy Efficiency & Renewables Sustainable Purchasing Vehicles & Transportation Solid Waste Water Efficiency Implementation Guides Literature Review Literature Review - California Climate Hub Summary Handout: Managing California’s Vineyards for Resilience: Strategies for a Changing Climate Five strategies for adaptation and mitigation are summarized in this document , which are drawn from the research paper below that synthesizes the literature on the science-backed actions for viticultural response to climate change. Research Paper: Managing California’s Vineyards for a Changing Climate: Science-backed Actions for Adaptation and Mitigation A research paper that provides a curated synthesis of literature on the science-backed actions for viticultural response to climate change across disparate subdisciplines to provide a whole system resource to aid decision support for producers and technical service providers. Carbon Footprint Study California Wine’s Carbon Footprint : Study objectives, results and recommendations for continuous improvement . Results from the carbon footprint study identify the major hotspots (improvement opportunities) for the California wine supply chain. Cost-Share Opportunities Many climate smart practices are included in cost-share programs that provide funding and/or technical assistance for implementation of new practices -- e.g., cover crops, conservation tillage, composting, mulching. There are also numerous rebates and incentives available for energy efficient equipment and practices. For more details on specific cost-share opportunities see the Implementation Guides for each topic area listed above or in Step 3: Implement. Carbon Footprint Study Anchor 1

IMPLEMENT: VITICULTURE ADAPTATION Managing for Climate-Adapted Vines Across all winegrowing regions of the world, climate change impacts are already apparent and demonstrate a multitude of challenges, most notably seasonal variability and chaotic weather fluctuations. Adapting vineyard development and viticultural practices to withstand stressors like heatwaves, droughts, floods and altered growing seasons ensures sustainability against ever-changing and unpredictable environmental conditions. To build resiliency to current and projected impacts, winegrape growers must make viticulture management decisions based on their vineyard’s vulnerabilities and risks in the face of climate change. The information below will help growers create flexible strategies and identify adaptation practices suitable for current and future challenges. Priority Practices Quick Links: Rootstocks & Scions Vineyard Design & Canopy Management Wildfire Preparedness Building Resiliency to Climate Change Impacts with Climate Smart Vineyard Design When planting or replanting a vineyard or block, there are key elements to vineyard design that can have lasting benefits in a changing climate. Most importantly, strategically choosing both rootstock and scion can improve the resilience of vineyards to climate change. Vineyard design considerations such as row orientation and trellising, along with canopy management practices can further increase the resilience of grapevines. By understanding the climate risks that are most likely for your vineyard site, you can tailor your selections and design considerations to address water stress, increased erosion potential, and/or high heat events. Selecting Rootstocks & Scions for Climate Resiliency When selecting rootstocks and scions to plant in a new or replanted vineyard, consider what climate change impacts are predicted for your region. Choosing rootstocks and scions that are well-suited for current and predicted changes from climate change will ensure your vineyard’s sustainability. Rootstock selection can affect vine growth, yield and disease resistance with limited influence on berry quality. Generally, high vigor rootstocks can better access water in dry years and have longer growing seasons, while low vigor rootstocks may better resist extreme drought because of their smaller canopies. Also consider rootstocks that resist soil-borne pests present in the region or pests that may be exacerbated by climate change. Various scions provide different adaptive benefits and can be more resilient to climate impacts such as increased drought, changing seasonality, extreme heat, frost, and pest and disease pressure. When choosing a scion consider: Phenology: Late-ripening varieties such as Grenache, Monastrelle and Petit Verdot can mitigate the effects of compressed development. Heat Tolerance: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Grenache and Syrah are known to be better suited for warm climates. Drought Tolerance: Look for varieties with high water use efficiency to handle increased water stress. Cultivars associated with warm and dry climates, like Cabernet Sauvignon, may also be better suited for drought conditions. Rootstocks & Scions Changing Seasonality: Varietal-Specific Vulnerabilities Recent research describes how modeling for six winegrape varieties in 12 of California’s AVAs show potential changes in phenology and environmental conditions: Compressing of Development: Results show more rapid development for winegrapes with earlier budburst, flowering, veraison, and maturation across all varieties and AVAs. Cabernet Sauvignon shows the greatest change in phenology timing, while Chardonnay shows the least change. Projections of Pinot Noir development show chill being delayed by 1-3 weeks and maturity occurring 1-3 weeks earlier. More Extreme Heat: Heatwave events (extreme temperatures lasting for consecutive days) decrease berry size and influence berry chemistry which can impact yield and quality in many cultivars. Heatwaves can be hazardous to worker safety and productivity. Increased Water Demand: Warmer temperatures and more extreme heat days will increase water demand, which in some regions may be exacerbated by decreased winter precipitation which is necessary for soil moisture recharge. Less Changes in Warmer Climates: Warm-climate AVAs like Lodi and Madera will see less drastic changes in winegrape phenology than cooler-climate AVAs like West Sonoma Coast and SLO Coast. To learn more about the research findings including more specific information by AVA, watch this video summary or see the research paper, “A variety specific analysis of climate change effects on California Winegrapes” (Parker, et al., 2024). Vineyard Design & Canopy Management Can Help Regulate Extreme Temperature and Sun Exposure Vineyard design and canopy management practices can offer significant protection to grapevines against climate change. Vineyards designed with east-to-west trellising are more resistant to temperature extremes than those running north-south, although other factors such as site topography can influence the preferred orientation. Grapevines with elongated trunks are more resistant to temperature extremes than those close to the ground. Orienting vineyard rows to minimize erosion is also important, particularly when heavy rain events follow periods of dry weather that have diminished the soil’s capacity for water absorption. Using canopy management techniques like leaf thinning and shoot trimming can help regulate canopy temperature and sun exposure. Vineyard pruning and thinning practices may increase soil carbon storage if the extracted biomass remains in the vineyard. Similarly, the dropping of fruit can be a valuable carbon input. When developing a new vineyard site conserving existing native perennial vegetation can preserve sources of carbon storage. Planting hedgerows with native vegetation when existing plants cannot be maintained enhances the surrounding habitat by providing areas for beneficial insects to flourish to help with pest pressures. Vineyard Design & Canopy Mgmt Preparing for Wildfires Climate change is already creating changes in wildfire dynamics, leading to increases in extreme wildfire events, which can indirectly impact grape and wine quality through vineyard smoke exposure. Climate science shows these extreme wildfire events are likely to continue to increase in the future. It is important to ensure your property and staff are prepared for a potential fire. Visit the resources below to help you prepare. Wildfire Preparedness Resources: A Winegrower's Guide to Preparing for Wildfires : Includes a checklist with steps to take to reduce the risk of fire on your property and how to prepare your vineyard or winery staff in the event of a fire. West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force : Includes relevant research and industry resources on best practices, crop insurance, wildfire preparedness, informational videos, etc. Wildfire Preparedness & Recovery Resources : Wine Institute has compiled resources to help winegrowers proactively prepare for the risk and threat from fire season. Wildfire Preparedness Viticulture Adaptation Resources: Viticulture Adaptation Implementation Guide : This guide provides details and resources about adaptation practices related to vineyard design and rootstock and scion selection. Managing California’s Vineyards for Resilience: Strategies for a Changing Climate : A summary handout of the findings of a recent literature review conducted by the USDA California Climate Hub that synthesizes the key climate change impacts that will affect California vineyards. Climate Change and California's Winegrapes : An educational webpage/StoryMap created by the USDA California Climate Hub that covers the projected impacts of climate change on winegrape phenology, the adaptation and mitigation strategies currently available to producers, and the gaps in research and technology that must be addressed to protect the future of winegrape production in the state.