SIP(TM) Sustainability Certification Program Honored By California DPR

Department of Pesticide Regulation Awards IPM Innovator, Second Time for CCVT

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Sustainability In Practice certification program of the Central Coast Vineyard Team has been awarded an IPM Innovators award by the state of California Department of Pesticide Regulation, the second time the Central Coast Vineyard Team has been honored by California DPR.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100322/DC73940)

The annual awards recognize diverse groups of businesses and organizations who lead by example in providing innovative solutions for integrated pest management strategies controlling insects, weeds, rodents and other pests with a combination of natural and preventive measures less toxic than traditional treatments.

The Central Coast Vineyard Team was first honored in 1997 for developing the Positive Points Systems to evaluate IPM strategies in vineyards.  This new award honors the Sustainability in Practice (SIP™) Certification program that requires growers to use a variety of practices that protect air and water quality, food safety and worker health. Since SIP's 2008 implementation, certified acreage has increased from 3,700 acres to more than 11,000 acres. Today, more than 50,000 certified cases of wine carry the SIP™ seal on wine bottle labels to help consumers identify sustainable wines, with new winery participants added in every vintage.

Joining SIP™ in receiving this year's awards were a diverse group of businesses and organizations, including the city of San Jose.   "From vacuuming cockroaches infesting a cafe to building bird and bat houses to attract natural predators that eat insects and rodents in vineyards and parks, this year's honorees exemplify pest control strategies," DPR Director Mary-Ann Warmerdam said. "IPM is more protective of public health and safer for the environment whether you have a pest problem in a home or office building, agricultural fields, garden or park."

Earlier this year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the Central Coast Vineyard Team with the agency's Sustained Excellence in Integrated Pest Management Award for its continued efforts in pest management.

While SIP™ is an effort by the Central Coast Vineyard Team, the certification program is available for any vineyard in California.  To learn more, visit www.vineyardteam.org.

One of five departments and boards within the California Environmental Protection Agency, DPR regulates the registration, sale and use of pesticides to protect people and the environment. For more information about DPR and previous IPM Innovators, see www.cdpr.ca.gov.

About SIP™ Certified

The Sustainability in Practice SIP™ Certification program provides a way for vineyards statewide to verify their attention to integrated farming practices through a commitment to environmental stewardship, equitable treatment of employees and economic viability. Developed by the Central Coast Vineyard Team, a non-profit dedicated to sustainable winegrowing since 1994, this program represents one extension of the group's many innovative programs. To learn more about SIP™, please visit the website www.sipthegoodlife.org.  Become a Facebook fan at Facebook/sipthegoodlife and follow on Twitter @sipthegoodlife.

SOURCE Central Coast Vineyard Team