Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission Introduces New Sustainable Winegrowing Certification; The Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission:

When: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 10:30am.

Where: Wine & Roses Garden Ballroom, 2505 West Turner Rd., Lodi, CA 
95242

What: The first California Vineyards to achieve certification in the
Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing will be recognized for their
pioneering achievement. The Lodi Rules is California's first set of
appellation-wide sustainable viticulture standards. These standards
are peer reviewed by scientists, academics and environmentalists, and
are endorsed by Protected Harvest, a non profit organization that
independently certifies farmers' use of stringent environmental
growing standards. To be certified by Protected Harvest, growers must
pass a third party audit of viticulture practices.

Who: Special guest speakers during the press conference include:
Art Baggett, Board Member, California State Water Quality Control 
Board
Mary-Ann Warmerdam, Director, California Department of Pesticide 
Regulation
Undersecretary A. J. Yates, California Department of Food and 
Agriculture
Carolyn Brickey, Executive Director, Protected Harvest
Cliff Ohmart, Research/IPM Director, Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape 
Commission
Mark Chandler, Executive Director, Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape 
Commission

Why: For over 15 years Lodi winegrowers have led the California wine
industry in adopting environmentally friendly farming practices. In
2000, this leadership produced The Lodi Winegrower's Workbook, which
greatly advanced the cause of sustainable viticulture throughout
California. Raising the bar again, The Lodi Rules for Sustainable
Winegrowing is the first peer-reviewed 3rd party certified program in
California agriculture. 

For more information and attendance confirmation:
Stephanie Beasly, Lodi Winegrape Commission at [phone] or
[e-mail]. For more information on Lodi Wine Country
visit www.lodiwine.com.