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Appellation and the growers and vintners behind these crafts. Told from the
perspective of multi-award winning wine journalist, Randy Caparoso.

April 22, 2026 | Allison Champion

Sip Sustainably in Lodi: Where to Taste LODI RULES Wine

Have you ever picked up a bottle of wine and looked closely at the label? If you're tasting in Lodi, chances are you've noticed a small green seal on the back of the bottle. It reads CERTIFIED GREEN, and it tells a story that starts long before the wine enters the bottle, one that reaches back into the vineyard rows, the soil, and a farming community that decided decades ago to hold itself to a higher standard.

That seal is the mark of LODI RULES, America's original third-party certified sustainable winegrowing program.

More Than a Label

The program evolved from the Lodi Winegrape Commission, formed when Lodi's growers came together to protect the long-term future of farming in Lodi, for their families, their neighbors, and the generations to come.

Long before sustainability became an industry buzzword, the Commission launched a grassroots education program in 1992 aimed at reducing pesticide use by learning about the entire vineyard ecosystem. That effort, shaped by over a decade of input from Lodi farmers, viticulturists, and environmentalists, became the formal LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing certification program in 2005, and it continues to evolve and improve to this day.

LODI RULES is built on over 150 farming standards divided into six categories: ecosystem management, water management, soil management, pest management, business management, and human resources. Every LODI RULES standard must meet four criteria: it is measurable; it addresses at least one of the three aspects of sustainability (environmental health, social equity, and economic viability); it is economically feasible to implement; and it is based on sound science and not a trend.

That scope is part of what sets LODI RULES apart. Certified organic farming follows a set of practices related to the environment. Certified sustainable farming through LODI RULES includes practices related to the environment, the people, and the business. It's a holistic approach to winegrowing that considers the full picture of what it takes to keep a farming community thriving for generations.

The program motto puts it simply: "May we farm in a way that meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future farmers to cultivate their own livelihoods."

Rooted in Lodi, Growing Beyond

LODI RULES began and is headquartered in Lodi, but the program has expanded well beyond the region. Today, over 68,500 winegrape acres are certified across California, Washington state, and in Israel. Two additional seals, CALIFORNIA RULES and CERTIFIED GREEN were created for vineyards and wineries outside the Lodi AVA, all carrying the same rigorous standards.

Several of Lodi's certified vineyards are estate-owned by wineries with tasting rooms, which means you can taste the results of sustainable farming firsthand.

Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards, LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards, and Peltier Winery & Vineyards in Acampo; Bokisch Vineyards in Clements, and Harney Lane Winery, Jessie's Grove Winery, Michael David Winery, and The Lucas Winery in Lodi all farm under the LODI RULES certification and pour their estate wines in tasting rooms next to their vineyards.

Kevin Phillips of Michael David Winery put it simply: "Sustainability means leaving everything, people, places, as good or better than how we found it."

The Seal on the Shelf

A growing number of wineries produce wines from LODI RULES certified grapes, and hundreds of wine labels now carry a CERTIFIED GREEN seal. You'll typically find it on the back label of the bottle. Wines made from LODI RULES certified grapes span over 50 different grape varieties, so whether you gravitate toward reds, whites, or rosé, there's a sustainably farmed option.

Here are Lodi wineries and tasting rooms who carry wines with the LODI RULES seal:

You can also find a curated selection of LODI RULES certified wines at the Lodi Wine Visitor Center, the only regional shop in California dedicated exclusively to promoting locally appellated wines. Browse their selection in person in store (on the Appellation – Lodi Wine & Roses Resort and Spa property) or shop online.

Watch Aaron Lange, VP of Vineyard Operations at LangeTwins Winery & Vineyards, talk about sustainable winegrowing, the LODI RULES Program, and how the LangeTwins Family has played a significant role in its evolution over the years.

Your Glass, Their Legacy

When you walk into a Lodi tasting room and pick up a bottle with that green seal, you're connecting with something real. You're supporting a farmer, a vintner, and an entire agricultural community that embraces their responsibility to care for the environment and the people. That's been the promise of LODI RULES since the beginning, and it's something you can experience every time you visit.

Learn more about the program and explore LODI RULES certified wines and vineyards at lodirules.org.