A Message from Robert LaVine, Sustainability Manager, Sonoma County Winegrowers

Hello Petaluma Gap Winegrowers,

I am happy to report Sonoma County growers are well on their way to achieving their sustainability goals. Many of you have completed an assessment of sustainable practices in use on your farm. And many more of you have expressed interest, but are looking for guidance in how to get it done. Well, help is on the way! Around the county SCW has been conducting small group workshops. These workshops have a simple goal: to get participants, in four hours, to a completed sustainability self-assessment. And most of those who have attended one of the nine workshops to date have achieved just that -- a completed self assessment.

Here's how it works: Prior to the workshop, participants receive support in signing up with CSWA to gain access to the on-line assessment. Each workshop is limited to five growers so everyone gets individual support. During the four hours of the workshop participants consider 138 criteria that make up the vineyard sustainability assessment; they choose the level of sustainability that best captures the practices they use in their vineyard. I am available to answer questions and explain anything that is unclear. Answers are entered electronically on a computer provided and set up for the workshop so growers can focus on the task at hand with no frustrating computer issues.

Small group workshops are coming soon to the Petaluma Gap. Watch this space for announcements of dates and time. I look forward to working with Petaluma Gap winegrowers!

Robert LaVine,

Sustainability Manager, SCW

Robert@sonomawinegrape.org; tel. 707-522-5851