#68 - Sustainable from grapes to glass!

In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, host Michael Hanf sits down with Allison Jordan, Executive Director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) and Vice President of Environmental Affairs at the Wine Institute.

For more than two decades, Allison has helped turn California into a global model for sustainable winegrowing. Today, over 2,600 vineyards and wineries, representing more than 90 percent of the state’s wine production, are certified sustainable. But behind those numbers lies a story about collaboration, resilience, and rethinking how a centuries-old industry can thrive in a changing world.

Together, Michael and Allison explore what it takes to make sustainability work from grapes to glass, and why wine is a powerful lens for understanding the balance between environmental, social, and economic success.

Tune in to learn about:

• How the California wine industry built one of the world’s leading sustainability programs
• The challenges and trade-offs wineries face in balancing profit, people, and planet
• How climate change is transforming vineyards and shaping new farming practices
• The growing importance of global standards and certification in wine exports
• Why “regenerative” isn’t a trend but an evolution of sustainable practices
• How digital tools and transparency are changing how wineries communicate with consumers

From droughts and wildfires to shifting consumer expectations, California’s wine industry is confronting the realities of climate change head-on. The CSWA’s Climate Action Toolkit now helps vineyards measure and reduce emissions, adapt to extreme weather, and find win-win solutions that protect both business and biodiversity.

Allison also shares insights from her experience as a restaurant owner, offering a practical perspective on sustainability from the other side of the wine glass. Her message is clear: whether you are a grower, a producer, or a consumer, sustainability is a shared journey that depends on collaboration, innovation, and long-term thinking.

As she puts it, “Sustainability in wine is about much more than protecting the environment. It’s about producing high-quality wine, enriching the lives of employees and neighbors, and safeguarding family farms and vibrant businesses for generations to come.”

Join the conversation to discover how California is cultivating the future of sustainable wine and what the rest of the world can learn from its success.

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