The California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Workbook is a fairly comprehensive, self-analyzing approach, for vineyards to measure their “level of sustainability and to learn about ways they can improve their practices.” To receive the full certification, wineries would have to submit to a 3rd party inspection. Although there are specific chapters designated for both vineyard water management and energy efficiency, these two concepts are woven through the rest of the workbook.

This weekend we celebrate and drink a toast to the important men in our lives, whether you are a father, are a partner to a father or have a father to honor. To cheer on those wonderful men, here are some wines to consider sharing.

As many of you have known, the modern-day Virginia wine industry started in the late 1970s, with Gabriel Rausse as the modern-day Father of Virginia Wine. By the year 1980, Virginia had a rocking 10 wineries, which slowly grew to about 50 wineries by 1990. Under the Farm Winery Act of 1980, wineries were farms, so limited restrictions were needed, given normal agricultural activity. Wineries were free to have gatherings on their properties, and to construct or make additions to facilities in the use of wine production.

Mountain Run made the biggest splash in its short existence at the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup state-wide wine tasting competition, garnering three gold medals – one of very few wineries to pull off the feat. Gold medals were awarded to the Mountain Run 2021 vintage Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, and Viognier. The Petit Verdot was named by the judging panel as part of the “Governor’s Case,” which includes the top 12 wines in the state for the year, making this winery one of the top wineries to go visit in Virginia.