Menu
Napa Green | Champion Story
Biochar is a form of charcoal that is being tested as a soil amendment in several vineyards throughout Napa County as growers look to improve soil health, increase carbon capture and reduce nutrient inputs.
Among those exploring the use of biochar are Cakebread Cellars, Spring Mountain Vineyard and the Napa Resource Conservation District (RCD), which manages an experimental vineyard in Carneros. In Sonoma County, the Bedrock Wine Co.is adding the material to key vineyard properties. Elsewhere in California, larger-scale experiments are being conducted by Monterey Pacific vineyard management company and Bonterra Vineyards, with trials on both newly planted and existing vineyards.
On one block at a Bedrock property in Geyserville, a sizeable portion of the topsoil was scraped off and the subsoil contained low organic matter. In 2017, the cover crop didn’t properly establish leading the Bedrock team to explore how biochar might help rehabilitate the site. They worked with Pacific Biochar to apply a compost and biochar mix this past fall and the results have been dramatic. Vineyard manager Jake Neustadt recently reported that waist-high barley and a thick mat of sub-clover have taken root at the site. Jake acknowledged that he sees a profound impact of adding biochar on depleted soils.
The Napa RCD also worked with Pacific Biochar at their Huichica Creek vineyard to apply a blend prior to a new vineyard planting in 2016. RCD also applied a blend to an existing vineyard in fall 2017 establishing controls for comparison in both cases. Two years after planting, early results show that the area with biochar has a higher carbon concentration and more organic matter. The RCD has also quantified a higher aggregate stability – improving soil structure and resilience to erosion.
Napa Green is a global leader in sustainable winegrowing, setting the highest bar for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry. Napa Green facilitates systematic soil to bottle certification for wineries and vineyards, and provides the resources, tools and connections to continuously level up leadership. In 2021, Napa Green was the first sustainable winegrowing program in the world to redevelop Vineyard certification standards to focus on climate action, regenerative carbon farming, and social equity. In 2022, Napa Green and community partners launched the first of its kind, six-event RISE Climate & Wine Symposium (formerly THRIVES) with over 65 leading speakers and 40 “Sustainable Services & Solutions” partners and sponsors.
We all know that sheep are the cutest but why are they in so many vineyards?
Cori Carlson, owner of @napapastureprotein shared the ecological goals of grazing a vineyard, along with this one key takeaway at our recent @napagreen workshop.
🐑 🐑 🐑
#woolyweeders #regenerativevineyard #soilhealth
Join us on April 9, 2026 @charleskrugwinery to explore climate smart opportunities, sustainable glass, closures and more ways to green your supply chain.
We will share case studies, hear about climate-smart and alternative packaging, clarify what materials are truly recyclable, and identify new ways to divert more waste from the landfill.
With speakers from Verallia, @naturalcorkcouncil, @cork_supply, Treasury Wine Estates, @freeflowwines, @revinobottles, @keystonecapsules, Wine Industry Zero Waste Collective, @naparecycling and more!
➡️ ticket link in bio!
#winebusiness #wineindustry #supplychainmanagement
Discover four exceptional wineries united by a commitment to sustainability, community, and thoughtful hospitality.
These wineries are not only @napagreen certified but also @bcorporation certified, and through their “B Collaborative” partnership this month, they are offering a special tasting experience: wine club members receive two complimentary tastings, and non-members can enjoy a two-for-one tasting.
Learn More by visiting these wineries.
@artesawinery
@cliffamily
@spottswoodewinery
@troisnoixwine
#winetasting #visitnapavalley
Learn why Natalie Bath, Winemaker at @ruddestate considers @napagreen an important part of their commitment of land stewardship.
#SoilHealth #WomenInWine #RegenerativeViticulture
@napagreen has had a number of growers looking for organic solutions to dealing with nematodes where vines are planted. Our partners at @lallemandplantcareusa have an OMRI approved biological solution.
Learn more in this short video!
#soilhealth #vineyardmanagement #wineindustry
Join us March 17th @grgichhillsestate to connect with cover crop expert Keith Berns, with @greencoverseed, and experienced viticulturists, to leans how you can incorporate soil health practices in your vineyard!
➡️ Registration link in bio.
#soilhealth #regenerativevineyard #covercrop
What is biochar and why is it so cool?
Hear from @napa.char to learn more.
#climateaction #soilhealth #biochar
🐝 “If you build it, they will hum” - Erin Arnsteen, Western Program Coordinator @monarchjointventure
We are grateful for everyone who attended our Biodiversity in the Vineyard workshop last week! It was an amazing day @grgichhillsestate filled with bees, birds, butterflies, a community passionate about biodiversity, and experts providing resources for building biodiversity in YOUR vineyard.
#regenerativeag #biodiversity #worldwildlife #regenerativeviticulture
Join us in congratulating Megan Scott (@love.dream.breathe), our Operations Director, on 6 years at @napagreen. Megan’s positive attitude and “can do” approach to problem solving has greatly contributed to the success of Napa Green and our members.
Thanks for your work and dedication to sustainability!
📸 @brianamarieweddings
📍 @trefethenfamily
#womeninwine #womeninstem #climateaction
Thanks to the @naparegister for publishing this Climate Connection contribution from @napagreen’s Vineyard Program Director, Ben Mackie (@soilrainandhope) highlighting the biodiversity @grgichhillsestate.
If you loved this article, you’ll love our Birds, Bees & Butterflies: Biodiversity in the Vineyard workshop happening today!
#climateaction #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture
Friday night dinner dilemma?
Order takeout from @southsidenapa using promo code DONATE and 20% of your order will be donated to @napagreen.
It’s a win: win! You get dinner and @napagreen gets funding to contribute our impactful climate action work in Napa Valley.
Order online or preorder your Fried Chicken Friday pickup for February 27, 2026. Don’t forget to pair it with Napa Green certified wine! 🍽️ 🍷
#dineanddonate #nonprofit #napavalley
Join us Thursday, February 26 to learn about biodiversity in the vineyard.
🍇 Ivo Jeramaz, Winemaker & VP of Vineyards and Production at @grgichhillsestate, will welcome us to the beautiful property and illustrate the various implementation of habitat diversity they have undertaken at the American Canyon ranch.
🍇 Jo Ann Baumgartner & Sam Earnshaw from @wildfarmalliance will provide insight on how to maximize bird habitat and establish hedgerows to support the local ecology.
🍇 Erin Arnsteen from the @monarchjointventure will outline how pivotal vineyard acreage can be to support the dwindling Western Monarch populations.
🍇 Cori Carlson, owner of @napapastureprotein, will explain the ecological goals of grazing a vineyard.
🍇 Ruby Stahel from the @naparcd will join us to discuss the various resources that the RCD has to support habitat enhancement on Napa properties.
🍇 @soilrainandhope from @napagreen will talk about bees!
➡️ Ticket link in bio.
#biodiversity #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture
Learn about the herd of cattle calmly grazing the vineyards @ruddestate, contributing to soil health and biodiversity, in our latest post from @soilrainandhope.
➡️ Link in bio.
#climateaction #regenerativeag #regnerativeviticulture #soilhealth
Thanks to @naparegister and @kcuz for this great article about the @regenerativeviticulture and @napagreen #OneBlockChallenge field day @celaniwines.
We had a great time engaging with attendees about opportunities to implement regenerative practices in their vineyards!
If you’re regenerative curious or want to learn more head to the link in our bio!
#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture
Congratulations on @napagreen Vineyard Certification to @shadybrookestatewinery!
Nestled in the picturesque heart of Coombsville, Shadybrook Estate, has shown a deep commitment to regenerative viticulture and climate action. Visit to see the natural beauty of this hidden gem.
#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture #napagreen
We love the biodiversity in this @grgichhillsestate American Canyon Vineyard!
Come learn how to integrate biodiversity in your vineyard on February 26 at this workshop with @napagreen, @grgichhillsestate, @wildfarmalliance, @monarchjointventure, @napapastureprotein and @naparcd.
➡️ Ticket link in bio.
#Biodiversity #RegenerativeAg #RegenerativeViticulture
