Growers who wish to become Sustainable WA Certified will follow this updated timeline in 2026:
- March 1: Registration Opens
- First time applicants required to fill out self-assessment.
- Returning growers will review and update last years self-assessment.
- May 15: Registration Closes
- Deadline for registration, self-assessment, and payment.
- June 1 – September 1: Auditor will conduct onsite and remote audits.
- November 15: Corrections and post harvest questions due.
- December: Growers who meet all requirements will receive official certification.
Following the initial application, participants will update their profiles annually to confirm the scope of the onsite audit and to provide for an increase or decrease in acreage and vineyard blocks enrolled in the program. The Program Administrator reviews submitted applications and once confirmed as complete, and all fees paid, the applicant is allowed to participate in the self-assessment.
Program AND Process Updates
This season, Sustainable WA has made several improvements to streamline the certification process and enhance user experience for growers:
- Salmon-Safe Alignment: Program criteria and the auditor report have been updated to reflect Salmon-Safe standards.
- Improved Renewal Process: Growers will now see their previous year’s responses and comments automatically carried over into the new self-assessment—saving time and reducing duplicate effort.
- Integrated Payment System: A built-in payment window, including invoice and receipt generation, has been added, to simplify both new registrations and renewals.
- More Automation: We are in the process of automating final certification steps, so once the auditor approves an assessment, the grower will receive the report automatically. Upon admin review, the system will issue certificates and supporting materials.
- Updated Terms & Conditions: The Terms and Conditions have moved to a scroll-through format, requiring online acceptance instead of uploading a signed copy.
- Online Application for Logo Use: We’ve completed development of the online application for Sustainable WA logo use, now accessible through the website.
These updates reflect our commitment to improving system efficiency, reducing administrative burden, and ensuring a more seamless experience for all participants.
Transparency & Data Privacy
At Sustainable WA, we are committed to protecting the confidentiality and integrity of grower information. Access to self-assessments, audit data, and certification records is limited to core program staff and auditors for operational purposes only.
Summary-level or anonymized data may be shared with governance and oversight bodies to support program evaluation, strategic planning, and reporting — but individual grower records are never shared publicly or with third parties without explicit permission.
If you have questions about how your information is stored or used, please contact us at info@sustainablewa.com
SUSTAINABLE WA STANDARD
Sustainable WA is the Washington wine industry’s statewide sustainability certification program. Based on years of research and collaboration, the Sustainable WA Winegrape Standard addresses best practices for vineyard management across nine major areas. Certification ensures a commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability for Washington’s winegrape growers.
Below is a brief overview of each chapter growers will complete as part of the certification process, along with an introduction to the Chain of Custody requirements that allow certified grapes to be labeled sustainably grown.
Chapter 1: Business Practices and Risk Management
An overview of the participant’s business practices to ensure sustainability. This section focuses on financial planning, risk management, and responsible contracting.
Note: Chapter 1 is required for certification, but growers are not required to provide copies of supporting documents during audits — only completion is confirmed.
Chapter 2: Human Resources
A review of employment practices, worker safety, training, fair compensation, and legal compliance. Growers must show they provide safe, fair, and legally compliant workplaces for all employees.
Chapter 3: Vineyard Establishment and Redevelopment
Guidelines for selecting, establishing, and redeveloping vineyard sites. Emphasizes proper site selection, soil health, plant material sourcing, irrigation planning, and responsible redevelopment to ensure sustainable production.
Chapter 4: Viticulture
Focuses on sustainable vineyard management practices throughout the growing season, including pruning, canopy management, fruit quality, harvest practices, and continuous improvement based on vintage assessments.
Chapter 5: Water Management
Covers efficient and responsible water use, irrigation system maintenance, scheduling, and protecting water resources. Special attention is given to practices that conserve water and protect aquatic ecosystems.
Chapter 6: Soil and Nutrient Management
Guidance on maintaining soil health, preventing erosion, monitoring nutrient levels, and managing fertilizer applications to support vineyard productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
Chapter 7: Pest Management
Encourages integrated pest management (IPM) practices, pest monitoring, minimizing pesticide use, and protecting beneficial organisms. Includes specialized plans for insects, weeds, vertebrate pests, and disease management.
Chapter 8: Materials Handling
Ensures safe and responsible selection, application, and storage of pesticides and other hazardous materials. Focuses on minimizing risk to workers, communities, and the environment through best practices and regulatory compliance.
Chapter 9: Whole Farm Ecosystem and Community
Supports biodiversity, habitat conservation, community relations, and stewardship of the broader agricultural landscape. Encourages growers to integrate ecosystem health and community engagement into their farming practices.
Chain of Custody
Wineries that wish to use the Sustainable WA logo on their labels must meet Chain of Custody requirements. These include tracking Sustainable WA certified grapes through processing, keeping certified and non-certified fruit separate, maintaining documentation, and ensuring that wines are made with at least 75% Sustainable WA certified grapes. Chain of Custody safeguards ensure transparency and credibility from vineyard to bottle.
Request Information
Sustainable WA Logo Use Form
The Sustainable WA Certified Grapes logo may only be used by growers who have vineyards that have been certified, or by wineries with a valid chain of custody certificate that are marketing wine grapes from vineyards that have achieved certification.
All wineries and growers wishing to obtain the Sustainable WA Certified Grapes logo must fill out the logo use form, as linked below.
- This certification logo may be used on wine labels that contain a minimum of 75% Sustainable WA certified grapes. This is the ONLY logo that is permitted for use on labels.
- This logo may be used when promoting the Sustainable WA program in any marketing materials, including tasting notes, on websites, social media, vineyard signage, etc. Wineries are only permitted to use the logo when promoting certified vineyards or wines made with wine grapes from certified vineyards.
For full logo usage information, please see the Sustainable WA certified brand guidelines.
For any questions about the application or certification process, please email info@sustainablewa.com, or call (509) 782-8234.