Sustainable winegrowing is applying the principles and practices of sustainable agriculture in the vineyard. Since sustainable agriculture means many things to many people it is important to describe the definition that we are using. In 1989, the American Agronomy Society adopted the following definition for sustainable agriculture: "A sustainable agriculture is one that, over the long term, enhances environmental quality and the resource base on which agriculture depends; provides for basic human food and fiber needs; is economically viable; and enhances the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole."

The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program at University of California,
Davis (UC SAREP) emphasizes that sustainable agriculture integrates 3 main goals-environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. UC SAREP also points out that a systems perspective is essential to understanding sustainable agriculture. Because farming does not operate in a vacuum, each farmer's field is part of a complex community ecosystem, which in turn can affect or be impacted by global economics and even global ecological processes (e.g. El Nino). A systems perspective involves viewing multiple factors when considering field and farm-level decisions.

California winegrowers are leaders in implementing sustainable winegrowing practices due to the proactive leadership of Lodi growers and many others in other California wine regions. In 2002 the Wine Institute and California Association of Winegrape Growers published the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Workbook*2 which was modeled after the Lodi Winegrower's Workbook*3. The Code defined sustainable winegrowing as using "growing and winemaking practices that are sensitive to the environment (Environmentally Sound), responsible to the needs and interests of society-at-large (Socially Equitable), and are economically feasible to implement and maintain (Economically Feasible)". This definition is often referred to as the three "E's" of sustainability and is the one that guides The Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing.

*1 Dlott, J., Ohmart, C. P., Garn, J., Birdseye, K. and Ross, K., eds. 2002. The Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices Workbook. Wine Institute & Calif. Assoc. Winegrape Growers. 477pp.

*2 Ohmart, C. P. and S. K. Matthiasson. 2000. The Lodi Winegrower's Workbook: A self-assessment of integrated farming practices. Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission, Lodi, CA. 135 pp