(Photo Courtesy of Clif Family Winery & Farm)
April 29, 2026 (St. Helena, CA) — Clif Family Winery & Farm today announced two major milestones in its ongoing commitment to responsible business: receiving the 2026 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Environment Awardand publishing its first-ever Sustainability Report, a transparent look at its practices, progress, and areas for continued growth.
The Green Medal, awarded annually by the Wine Institute and partner organizations, recognizes wineries that demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship. Clif Family was honored with the Environment Award for embedding sustainability across every aspect of its business, from regenerative farming and renewable energy use to community partnerships and long-term climate commitments.
At the same time, the winery has just released its inaugural Sustainability Report, titled “Good Grows Here: Clif Family’s 5 Bottom Lines,” which offers a candid and comprehensive view into how the company operates and where it is still learning.
As one of only four wineries in Napa Valley to become a Certified B Corporation, Clif Family has long embedded environmental and social responsibility into its business model, using it as a framework for decision-making rather than a separate initiative.
“This recognition is meaningful, but for us it’s not a finish line,” said Linzi Gay, President of Clif Family Winery & Farm. “It’s a reflection of how we’ve chosen to build this business from the beginning, where decisions are guided not just by what’s good for the company, but what’s right for our people, our community, and the land we farm. The report is our way of opening that up and showing the work behind it.”
At the core of Clif Family’s philosophy is its “Five Bottom Lines” framework – Business, Brands, People, Community, and Planet – which guides decision-making across the organization.
This approach shows up in tangible ways:
- 100% certified organic grape sourcing in 2025
- 100% renewable electricity across all facilities and vineyards
- 94% landfill-free operations in key areas of the business
- 654 employee volunteer hours supporting local organizations
The report also highlights ongoing initiatives such as biodiversity programs, carbon footprint measurement, circular packaging innovation, and community giving through its Sip & Support program.
Rather than positioning sustainability as a fixed achievement, the report emphasizes accountability and transparency, sharing both progress and challenges.
“We don’t think about sustainability as something you achieve and move on from,” said Sarah Richmond, Director of Operations & Sustainability. “It’s an ongoing practice. This report is a way to share what’s working, where we’ve made meaningful progress, and where challenges remain, especially beyond our own operations.”
One of those areas includes Scope 3 emissions – indirect impacts from packaging and transportation – which represent the majority of the company’s carbon footprint and will be a focus of future collaboration and reduction efforts.
Together, the award and the report mark a moment of both recognition and responsibility, a chance to share progress publicly while continuing to raise the bar.
“We’ve always believed a business can, and should, create value beyond itself,” added Gay. “This is about doing the work, sharing it openly, and continuing to push forward.”
About Clif Family Winery & Farm
In 2004, Clif Bar co-creators Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford embarked on a new venture, founding Clif Family Winery & Farm based on their shared commitment to crafting delicious, small-batch food and wine while prioritizing the well-being of people, the planet, and the community. Guided by a dedication to the highest quality with the lowest environmental impact, Clif Family is a certified B Corp committed to organic food and farming, sustainable production, zero waste, and conserving and restoring our natural resources.
Our portfolio includes organically farmed Napa Valley wines and specialty foods, including Solar Grown Honey, Savory Nut Mixes, Fruit Preserves, Wine Jellies and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Clif Family farms 90 acres of organic vineyards and a 10-acre vegetable garden, olive grove and fruit orchard in the Napa Valley.
