The fourth U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit will take place in Walla Walla next month. The event will occur May 6 and 7.

“Hosting the Summit in Washington is a big moment for our industry,” says Nathanial Helligso, program manager for Sustainable WA, a statewide sustainability certification program. “It puts Washington’s vineyard and winery community on the national sustainability stage, creates a chance to learn directly from other regions, and helps all of us stay ahead of shifting market expectations, climate risks, and resource management challenges.”

The first day, Wednesday May 6, will feature a sustainable vineyard and winery tour of Seven Hills Vineyard, Ferguson Vineyard, Les Collines Vineyard, and Echolands winery. That evening, there will be a walkaround tasting and reception at Echolands that will feature sustainably produced wines from California, Oregon, Washington, New York, and other states. This will be followed by a welcome dinner and keynote address by Erin Fitzgerald, strategic advisor and founder of Fitzgerald Consulting.

The second day, there will be sessions on sustainable wine packaging and certifications, communicating about sustainability, and climate action planning. There will also be sessions on attracting and retaining sustainability professionals and using technology solutions to enhance sustainability.

“For Sustainable WA participants and those considering certification, the Summit is a valuable opportunity to connect with peers and partners, to hear what is working elsewhere, and to bring back ideas that strengthen both on-farm practices and long-term business resilience,” Helligso says.

Sustainable WA, which was launched in 2022, is a sponsor of the Summit. The Washington State Wine Commission, a state-mandated body charged with promoting Washington wine, and Washington Winegrowers Association, a non-profit organization whose goal is advancing the industry, are co-hosts. (Full disclosure: I have consulted for the Washington State Wine Commission since 2012.) The event is also co-hosted by sustainable winegrowing organizations from California, Oregon, and New York.

The U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit is targeted toward growers, vintners, regional winery and vineyard associations, trade, media, and others. Previous summits have taken place in Napa Valley, California (2019), virtually (2021), and Lodi, California (2024).

Early bird pricing for the Summit closes April 10.

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