Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines Earns Landmark Sustainability Certification for Sterling Vineyards and Napa Valley Vineyards

NAPA, Calif., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines (DC&E) recently achieved a certification from the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) for the adoption and promised improvement of sustainable winemaking practices at its Sterling Vineyards winery and Napa Valley Vineyards. The Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW-Certified) program aims to enhance transparency, encourage statewide participation and advance the entire California wine industry toward best practices in environmental stewardship, conservation of natural resources and socially equitable business practices.

"CSWA's accreditation is a testament to Diageo's long-standing commitment to the environment across all aspects of our business," said Sandra LeDrew, President of Sales for DC&E. "Sustainable winemaking means quality winemaking, and ultimately, delivering the best wine possible to our consumer."

The new certification program builds on CSWA's successful Sustainable Winegrowing Program – a pioneering statewide initiative that encourages and enables growers and vintners to adopt the highest standards of sustainable winegrowing practices. It was established in 2002 as a partnership between Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers.

Diageo has a long tradition of environmental excellence and commitment to sustainability. Just last December, four DC&E facilities were named winners of California's Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) in recognition of their green initiatives.  Beaulieu Vineyard received the prestigious WRAP for a 17th time, Sterling Vineyards and the DC&E Carneros Bottling and Distribution Center were recognized a second time for accomplishments in reducing their environmental impact, and DC&E Paicines Operations received its inaugural win.

During the 2008 calendar year, Beaulieu Vineyard found inventive ways to re-think the end-life use for 1,504 tons of waste, and diverted items from the waste stream such as used barrels, grape stems and pomace, glass, cardboard, metals and paper.  The vineyard enacted a new water reuse program, which resulted in a savings of 49,202 gallons of water for the facility. Sterling Vineyards, certified this year as a Napa Valley Green Certified Winery, kept more than 1,300 tons of solid waste from going to landfill. Finally, DC&E Carneros Bottling and Distribution Center and DC&E Paicines recycled more than 2800 tons of combined material through highly organized waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting efforts in 2008.

"At Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, we believe that sustainable business is good business, and we are proud to be recognized as a leader in environmentally-conscious winemaking," said LeDrew. "We are committed to supporting the efforts of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance as it continues to minimize our industry's environmental footprint."

About Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines

Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines (DC&E) is part of Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O); the world's leading premium drinks business. DC&E produces and markets premium wines from around the globe including Napa Valley, Sonoma, the California Central Coast, Washington, France, New Zealand and Australia.  Brands include: Beaulieu Vineyard, Sterling Vineyards, Sterling Vintner's Collection, Chalone Vineyard, Acacia Vineyard, Edna Valley Vineyard and Rosenblum Cellars as well as the French wines of Barton & Guestier. DC&E is also a leading importer of classified Bordeaux and Burgundy estate-bottled wines and F.E. Trimbach.

Diageo's broader business includes an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wine and beer including Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan and Crown Royal. Diageo is a global company, listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.  For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

SOURCE Diageo