Taking collective action to decarbonize the global wine industry
What is IWCA
The wine industry is one of the agricultural activities most affected by global climate change. Grapevines are extremely sensitive to subtle changes in weather, making grapes particularly vulnerable to heat and drought, and this could ultimately put the quality of our wines at risk.
International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) is a collaborative working group of environmentally committed wineries focused on a science-based approach to reducing carbon emissions across the wine industry. Each member within IWCA takes responsibility to hold ourselves and each other accountable to build a cleaner, more resilient wine community for future generations.
IWCA is open to wineries from any country who recognize that climate change is the most significant threat facing the wine industry, and who are guided by the urgency for strategic action that accelerates the implementation of strategies and innovative solutions to tackle climate change.
Our goal is to share best practices that mitigate climate impacts in vineyard and winery operations so that we can act collectively to decarbonize the global wine industry today, by applying direct solutions avoiding offseting carbon credits.
IWCA was co-founded by Familia Torres and Jackson Family Wines, two leading wineries with a multigenerational vision rooted in environmental stewardship and responsible business practices.
IWCA has received the 2019 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award for Social Visionary on the Year.
IWCA joins United Nations’ Race to Zero Campaign, becoming the first member representing the wine and agricultural industry.
Our Mission
Our mission is to galvanize the global wine community towards creating climate change mitigation strategies and decarbonizing the industry. We seek to raise awareness of the urgent need to address the effects of climate change, and to promote the adoption of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) footprint inventories and emissions reduction strategies.
We focus on the development of a standardized methodology that accounts for annual GHG emissions (Scopes 1, 2 &3) and strategies and best practices to reduce carbon emissions.
As an international working group, all members are credibly committed to the same overarching goal: to become Net Zero by 2050 across Scopes 1-3, ensuring constant reductions to meet intermediate targets by 2030 in alignment with the United Nations’ Race To Zero Campaign.
Since its founding in 1870, Familia Torres has combined tradition and innovation with the aim of making premium wine and brandy, always with the utmost respect for the environment. It has historically had wineries and vineyards in its homeland Penedès, Conca de Barberà, Priorat and Costers del Segre, and it is also present nowadays in other Spanish wine regions as well as Chile and California. The commitment to protect the land and environment, the pursuit of excellence, and a passion for wine culture have been passed down from generation to generation. Fifth generation is focusing today on making wines from unique vineyards and recovering ancestral varieties in Catalonia, as well as in other parts of Spain and Chile. Familia Torres is adapting to global warming while contributing to mitigate its effects through its ambitious environmental program, Torres & Earth, established in 2008.
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Jackson Family Wines is a family-owned wine company with a penchant for exploration. Founder Jess Jackson placed his faith in farming and a meticulous expression of wine with his first landscape-changing vintage in 1982, an ethos that chairman and proprietor Barbara Banke, the Jackson family and the company’s employees continue to uphold to this day. The family’s collection of 40 wineries span significant winegrowing regions across the globe, from California, Oregon, France and Italy in the northern hemisphere, to Australia, Chile and South Africa in the southern half of the globe. Artisan winemaking underscores a steadfast commitment to making exceptional wines in the most responsible manner. The Jackson family’s focus on vineyard ownership remains key to consistent high quality and environmental stewardship for future generations.
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Any winery having applied to join IWCA, and having proven themselves compliant with the IWCA entry requirements, will be able to become either a GOLD or SILVER level IWCA Member upon approval by the IWCA Selection Committee.
Spottswoode Estate
Established in 1882, and guided by two generations of the Novak family for a half century, Spottswoode Estate was the first in Napa Valley to adopt organic farming. “Grounded in stewardship, we believe in effecting meaningful change through nurturing our vineyards, communities, and planet.” Today, Spottswoode is organic, biodynamic, solar powered, and contributes 1% of its revenue to environmental causes. In 2017, Spottswoode earned the Green Medal Environment Award for exemplifying that being green leads to exceptional quality. “We proudly support the IWCA’s mission to decarbonize the industry and champion climate change mitigation strategies.”
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Symington Family Estates
The Symingtons, leading vineyard owners in Douro, have been Port producers in northern Portugal since 1882. For 5 generations they have combined their passion for producing fine wines and Ports with a deep commitment to the region’s land and people. As the first certified B Corporation wine company in Portugal, Symington has a broad sustainability plan with a series of measurable goals for 2025. “We´re very pleased to join IWCA as we believe this rigorous framework can lead the wine sector´s response to this existential threat. We have no time to waste” Rob Symington, associate director of Symington Family States.
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VSPT Wine Group
One of the largest exporters of Chilean wine in the world. Committed to sustainable wine production for over 10 years, the company’s primary focus is utilizing 100% renewable energy for wine production, recovering ecosystems through a robust biodiversity plan, and pioneering waste management programs in Chile.
“Our sense of urgency and concern for the future of Chile’s viticulture deeply aligns with IWCA’s values and commitment to mitigating climate change around the world".
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Yealands Estate Wines
The first winery in New Zealand to be certified carbonzero from inception. Aiming to be one the most sustainable wine producers in the world, Yealands is highly innovative and continually seeks new ways to reduce its carbon footprint.
“Producing world-class wines doesn’t have to be at the expense of the environment,” says Tiffani Graydon, CEO of Yealands Wine Group."We´re delighted to join IWCA and work collaboratively with other sustainability leaders in the industry to make a global difference, both now and in the future".
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Alma Carraovejas
Alma Carraovejas is the concept which unites several unique viticultural and gastronomic projects under the same corporate culture. This way of life is based on creating unforgettable experiences around wine and has the purpose of building a unique and long lasting heritage.
Their projects are Pago de Carraovejas, Ossian Vides y Vinos, Milsetentayseis, Viña Mein-Emilio Rojo, as well as Restaurante Ambivium. Alma Carraovejas, lead by Pedro Ruiz Aragoneses, CEO of the project, aims to be recognised as a Spanish reference in the world for the quality and the diversity of its wines, for its pampered touristic and gastronomical options.
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Silver Oak
Silver Oak is a leading producer of California Cabernet Sauvignon aged exclusively in American oak barrels. Based in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley and Willamette Valley, our family of brands includes Twomey, Ovid Napa Valley and Timeless Napa Valley.
Across seven wineries and tasting rooms and nearly 500 acres of vineyards we farm from Central California to Oregon, the Duncan family is committed to innovative and sustainable viticulture and winery management practices that result in wines of the highest quality and distinction.
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Bodega Emina
Bodega Emina in Ribera del Duero is a prime example of eco-sustainable construction, generating energy for its own consumption. The Emina wineries prioritise the sustainability of their buildings.
Emina was the first Spanish winery company to calculate the carbon footprint of several of its wines, meaning it pioneered generating awareness of the actual environmental and atmospheric impact of its wine production.
The company’s firm commitment to sustainability has previously won it the European Business Award for the Environment (2012).
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Cullen Wines
Cullen Wines, founded 50 years ago, is a family owned and managed wine business in the Wilyabrup area of the Margaret River wine growing region in southwest Western Australia. Three words which define the Cullen approach are quality,integrity and sustainability.
The Cullen journey from the outset grew from minimal chemical inputs, to organic and then biodynamics. Cullen was one of the first to make the transition to organics and biodynamics ,with over 22 years of practice, and 17 of certification. Cullen Wines have been certified carbon neutral since 2007 and carbon positive since 2019.
FIND MOREIWCA Applicants
Any winery interested in becoming an IWCA Member that has not yet fulfilled the GHG inventory requirement will be considered an IWCA Applicant. IWCA Applicants must demonstrate positive intent, as defined by taking steps to calculate and verify their emissions, to becoming IWCA Members (Gold or Silver-level) within one year after signing onto this Standing Rules document or they forfeit their Applicant status.
Friends of IWCA
Any kind of individual, association or society sharing the IWCA values and willing to give support to the working group can join as a Friend of IWCA.
Why join IWCA
Because the global climate crisis requires immediate action.
- By joining IWCA, your winery has recognized the severity of the climate crisis and is committed to taking immediate action to help reduce the wine industry’s carbon footprint given the direct impact climate change has on our vineyards and wines.
- The more wineries participating in IWCA, the louder our voice to raise awareness on climate change and urge for immediate, global action.
- Given the science-based approach of IWCA and the strictness of its requirements, your winery will be perceived as one that is strongly and sincerely committed in the fight against climate change.
- IWCA creates a space for collaboration that encourages the sharing of best practices that mitigate climate impacts in vineyard and winery operations, from which you can benefit.
Membership Requirements
Gold Members: must fulfill #1#2#3#4 Silver Members: at minimum #1#2
- To commit to becoming Net Zero by 2050 across Scopes 1-3, ensuring constant reductions to meet intermediate targets by 2030 in alignment with the United Nations’ Race To Zero Campaign.
- To have completed a minimum baseline third-party verified GHG inventory for a standardized set of emissions categories across Scopes 1-3 (using WRI GHG Protocol and ISO 14064 process), including 90% of the organization’s volume within the region where its main winery is.
- To be at least 20% powered by onsite renewable energy (excluding the purchase of RECs or other offsets).
- To demonstrate a constant reduction of CO2 emissions from a baseline emissions inventory year, as proof of proactive ongoing commitment. This percentage is dependent on the baseline year and is proportional towards the winery’s Net Zero target for 2050.
Are you ready to take action on climate change?
Contact us
If you are interested in taking the steps required to join this international initiative or wish to receive further information, please fill out the following form and we will get in touch with you.