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"The sustainable workbook, offered by CSWA, allows the winegrower or winemaker the opportunity to compare their operating practices to a standard, identify where changes can be accomplished and develop a sustainable work plan for improvement. Self assessment, the ability to identify those improvements and at what cost, is an important step in sustainable winegrowing goals, benefiting all wine country communities." Former CSWA Chairman - Lange Twins, Inc.
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Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW) Resources
Certification Guidelines
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CCSW Program Guidebook- This guidebook contains all certification program information: requirements, prerequisites, the steps to obtain certification, guidelines for communicating certification, and other information.
Auditors
- For guidance on audits for the 2023 audit season and COVID-19, see CSWA's 2023 Audit_Policy handout.
Program Requirements
Prerequisites and Requirements
Chain of Custody (for wineries planning to use the wine logo/certification claims on the wine label)
Metrics
- Metrics Guidance 2020 - Metrics guidance document that includes details on what needs to be measured, recorded and calculated to meet the metrics requirement. Participants should begin collecting data and tracking metrics in their first year of certification, but metrics will not be audited until the second year audit. You may use your own system, the metrics calculator in the SWP online system, or use the template provided in the guidance document. Vineyards must measure and record water use and nitrogen applied annually. Wineries must measure and record water use, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) related to energy and refrigerants annually.
Integrated Pest Management: Red/Yellow List Documents
- Criterion 6-34 with Educational Boxes - This criterion and associated educational boxes address the use of Red/Yellow list (prohibited and/or restricted) crop protection materials as part of the certification requirements. Vineyards that are Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW) may not use Red List materials by their second year of certification (i.e., Must score a Category 2 or higher by the first year audit; Must score a Category 3 or higher for all subsequent years). Criterion 6-34 was first introduced to the program in 2017. Vineyards certified to the program in 2017 or before must comply with the Red and Yellow List Requirements by their 2018 audit.
- Red and Yellow List with Common Trade Names- This document contains the CCSW red and yellow listed (prohibited and/or restricted) crop protection materials. These materials are regulated as restricted by the US Environmental Protection Agency and/or California DPR.
- Yellow Use List CSWA Form- Complete this form and submit with the annual audit report when using crop protection materials from the yellow list.
Administration
- Fees - Fees are based on the total acreage and/or case production being certified. Payment of annual fees is required prior to the issuance of a certificate each year.
Renewal Process
Tools/Resources for Meeting Certification Requirements
Templates
- Action Plan Template - This template can be completed to fulfill the action plan requirement, or participants can choose to use another written format that suits their needs.
- Action Plan Completion Form - For Dual Certification Pathway vinyeards only (SIP Certified to CCSW or LODI RULES to CCSW).
- Weed Scouting Template - An excel weed scouting template and handout to help growers assess and identify their weeds.
- Economic Thresholds and IPM Scouting Template - An excel based scouting template and a handout on identifying and treating hot spots, and using economic thresholds.
- IPM Plan Template- The following template serves as a guide to assist growers in creating a customized Integrated Pest Management Plan. It includes a comprehensive list of examples for reference. This template is primarily relevant to Chapter 6 “Pest Management” of the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing.
- Air and Climate Protection Plan for Vineyards - The following template serves as a guide to assist growers in creating a customized management plan that addresses air quality and climate change. It includes a comprehensive list of examples for reference. This template is primarily relevant to Chapter 16 “Air Quality” of the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing.
Environmental Compliance (2-2)
Tools to Meet Prerequisite Practices
- How to Conduct a DIY Vineyard Energy Audit - This DIY audit allows the individual winegrower to assess energy-consuming processes and equipment in order to discover potential changes in behavior or technology that can reduce energy consumption.
- Solid Waste Audit - This tool provides wineries with easy-to-follow steps for estimating the volume of solid waste generated at their. The tool covers how to collect available information, how to conduct a solid waste audit, identifying disposal practices, and estimating the costs and revenues for managing each waste stream.
- Winery Water Efficiency and Hot Spots Tool - This tool walks users through the steps needed to identify the highest water using activities ("hot spots") at the winery, and results in a conceptual facility water balance to understand where water is being used throughout the winery.
- DIY Winery Energy Audit Checklist Tool - The intent of an energy audit is to assess energy-consuming processes and equipment in order to compile a list of potential technology or behavior changes that can reduce energy consumption. The tool contains three steps: checklist, equipment inventory, management plan guide. The Tool covers primary energy use areas and is designed to be used internally by winery staff. Note that only the first step is required to meet the energy audit CCSW prerequisite.
SWP Online System Reports
- Audit Checklist Report - Run this report to check if all prerequisites are already met or if any action plans must be developed. The report also shows which evidence requirements or supporting documentation will be needed during the audit to verify assessment scores.
- Certification Score Threshold Report: Run this report in the online system to see if you are meeting the 85% score threshold (85% of total scores must be a Category 2 or above). If you have not met the threshold, the report will show exactly how many Code workbook criteria must have score increases before the next audit.
Distribution Uniformity
How to Guides/Presentations
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