Wine Industry Experts to Discuss ‘Delicious Solution’ for Sustainability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 24, 2014

Wine Industry Experts to Discuss ‘Delicious Solution’ for Sustainability

Rohnert Park, CA – Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute is participating in the “Sustainability in the Wine Industry: A Delicious Solution” panel at this year’s Sustainable Enterprise Conference on Wednesday, April 30.

The panel will focus on Sonoma County’s commitment to becoming the first 100 percent sustainable wine region in the nation by 2019, a goal set in January by the Sonoma County Winegrowers. On the panel will be Ray Johnson, director of the Wine Business Institute; Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers; and Katie Jackson, director of sustainability and community outreach at Jackson Family Wines. The moderator of the discussion will be John Garn, founder and president of ViewCraft and Sonoma State Executive MBA faculty member, who has integrated sustainability and business for more than two decades.

Kruse will outline Sonoma County Winegrowers’ goal of 100 percent sustainable grape growing.

“Sonoma County has a heritage of farm families preserving their land for future generations, a part of the very fabric that defines the Sonoma County region and is delivered in every bottle of high quality wine that proudly carries the Sonoma County designation,” said Kruse. “This sustainability pledge demonstrates our commitment to preserving agriculture in Sonoma County.”

Johnson will explain how the wine research and education programs at the Wine Business Institute can benefit Northern California wineries during the panel discussion.

“The winegrowers’ bold commitment will attract even greater numbers of wine, food and eco-tourists to the North Coast, benefiting all businesses in the region,” said Johnson.

Jackson will give insight to the current operations and future endeavors that make the wine industry environmentally sound, economically feasible and socially equitable.

Sonoma County’s wine industry has a $13 billion impact on Sonoma County’s economy, representing about 60 percent of the GDP and 1 in 3 jobs in the county. The initiative of this sustainability commitment will produce a positive impact for the local economy and is equally beneficial to not only Sonoma County residents and wine businesses, but also grape growers, consumers and the planet.

These wine industry experts will bring forth conversation that is essential for Sonoma County’s success in becoming the first 100 percent sustainable wine region in the nation.

The Sustainable Enterprise Conference will take place in the Sonoma Mountain Village and begins at 7 a.m. The panel discussion begins at 3:20 p.m. in the Somo Boardroom. For more information on the conference or the panel of speakers, visit sustainableenterprise.com.

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For more information contact Annemarie Brown, Annemarie.brown@sonoma.edu or 664-2221.

About the Sustainable Enterprise Conference

The day-long Sustainable Enterprise Conference is the North Bay's premiere networking event for business, government, education, and community leaders seeking inspiration and education about green trends, policies and products. Over 30 speakers, 300 attendees and 40 exhibitors are expected. Register online to attend at http://sustainableenterpriseconference.com/registration. The Sustainable Enterprise Conference is presented by the Sustainable North Bay Organizing Committee, an ad hoc committee established to convene informative interactive events that promote sustainability. The Sustainable Enterprise Conference is produced in cooperation with SOCO Nexus, Commons.org and Sonoma County GO LOCAL and hosted by Sonoma Mountain Village.

About Sonoma State University's Wine Business Institute
Sonoma State University's Wine Business Institute is located in the heart of California wine country and was created through a public-private partnership between the university and the wine industry. Founded in 1996, it is the first program in the United States to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees focused exclusively on the business aspects of the wine industry. In addition to its academic programs the Wine Business Institute offers an array of seminars and certificates. Its faculty members are published experts, active researchers, and requested presenters on pressing industry topics.  The Wine Business Institute operates within Sonoma State's School of Business and Economics, a fully accredited AACSB institution.  Learn more at sonoma.edu/winebiz.