Of all human activity, modern agriculture is the largest single contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) production, to deforestation and to water consumption. Protecting and improving the natural environment are fundamental, and issues like biodiversity, climate change, energy, soil degradation and water scarcity need to be addressed. The global wine industry can and should do […]

My work with sustainable agriculture began in the coffee industry, during a period of tremendous growth in high-quality coffee shops and retail categories around the world. As a senior executive at Starbucks Coffee Company, I led the company’s global responsibility efforts focused on rigorous approaches to sustainable agriculture for coffee, tea and cocoa, fair and […]

Environmental stewardship has received much attention in the wine industry, but firms must also address social sustainability to be considered sustainable enterprises. This means growing wine grapes and making wine in ways that are environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable. On the production side it is (or should be) about commitment to communities and […]

World Water Day is held each year on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Water security, whether it is the challenge of too little water over long periods of time, or too much water all at once, is one […]

In recent years, climate change, water shortages and international discussions about sustainable and environmentally friendly actions have forced us to rethink our way of working within the wine industry. There’s organic wine, biodynamic wine, and sustainable wine but what’s the difference between all of these seemingly similar terms? ORGANIC Certified organic food is grown or […]