Celebrating “Down to Earth Month” with Sustainable California Wines

Wine glass at sunset
Aired on April 15, 2025
This World Footprints episode explores the powerful intersection of California’s wine industry and environmental sustainability—just in time for Earth Day and the state’s Down to Earth Month celebration.
April is officially Down to Earth Month in California, and what better way to mark it than by spotlighting the sustainable winegrowers of California who are redefining what it means to produce world-class wines with purpose. We’re raising a glass to the vineyards that are tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation—one grape at a time.
🎙️ Guest:
Allison Jordan, Executive Director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, joins us to discuss what sustainability really looks like in the winegrowing process. From chickens in the vineyards to falcons overhead, she offers a surprising and engaging look into eco-conscious wine production.
“The Earth is what we all have in common.”
— Wendell Berry
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
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How California wineries are adapting after recent wildfires
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The role of virtual wine tastings and livestream cooking demos during Down to Earth Month
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What birds of prey, chickens, and sheep have to do with organic vineyard management
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How sustainable winegrowing protects soil health, water quality, and biodiversity
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The broader role California plays as a global leader in eco-friendly wine production
About Down to Earth Month
Each April, California Wines hosts a series of virtual and in-person events focused on the state’s leadership in sustainable winegrowing. This year’s program features free livestreams on Facebook Live and Instagram, with cooking demos, expert panels, and virtual wine tastings—all with a sustainability lens.
By embracing sustainable winegrowing practices, California winemakers are doing more than producing exceptional wine. They’re protecting natural resources like soil, air, and water—elements essential not just to great grapes but to the future of the planet.
Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for these vintners. It’s a business model, a way of life, and a promise to future generations. As Allison Jordan reminds us, being good stewards of the land ensures the long-term health of the wine industry, our communities, and the environment.
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