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LIVE Certification is a rigorous sustainability standard for vineyards and wineries specific to the Pacific Northwest bio-region. Developed over twenty years ago and internationally monitored and recognized by International Organization for the Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants (IOBC), LIVE certification sets farmers and vintners apart in their commitment to land conservation and environmentally-friendly business practices from seed to sale.
LIVE’s third-party sustainability certifications are available for both winery and vineyard. The entire property, including non-grape crops, landscaping, building operations, labor practices, even packaging must be managed to LIVE standards. Businesses meeting these standards ensure they hold the conservation of land and resources at the heart of their approach, preserving environmental health, agricultural fertility, and economic viability for generations to come.
LIVE certified members complete a review and reporting process each year on their compliance in the following sustainability areas*:
Vineyard
Winery
A key component of LIVE certification for both winery and vineyard is water conservation. Through proper water management and irrigation, LIVE-certified operations preserve, recycle, and properly dispose of water and waste-water onsite.
For example, LIVE’s reporting templates for vineyards includes a sprayer checklist, outlining details regarding pump performance, tank maintenance, sprayer head maintenance, pump maintenance, chassis maintenance, and pump calibration. Air Blast and Boom Sprayers must also meet precise calibration to manage pesticide and water applications.
Wineries submit a sustainability plan including energy efficiency modeling, materials impact, and an in-depth look at water usage and water management practices and reduction efforts.
Winery operations can reduce water usage and chemicals at the operational level through a specialized cleaning system like Carson’s Gamajet Tank Cleaning System. Both bottle lines and tanks are cleaned with hot water, instead of chemicals. The portable Gamajet hot pressure washer uses as little as 14 gallons of water to wash a barrel and accomplishes the task in approximately one minute. The process saves considerable resources and helps wineries avoid unnecessary cleaning chemicals.
If you are in the process of renewing your LIVE certification or would like to join the prestigious ranks of LIVE-certified Pacific Northwest Wineries, consider including a Gamjet from Carson as part of your LIVE Winery Sustainability Plan.
Find out more about Carson’s solutions for water management. Talk to our winery expert today: 503.283.4011