IWCA is a membership-driven organization: our voice, our expertise, and our leadership on wine and climate are directly shaped by our member wineries.
Our member wineries are diverse—they span the globe, they are different sizes, they produce different types of wine, and they are at different stages in their sustainability journey. But they all have one thing in common: they are wineries committed to climate action. Not only that, but they match their values with tangible reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The more wineries that join our movement, the stronger we will be in driving critical climate action across the wine sector. Read on to find out how you can join this one-of-a-kind effort!
First things first: Why join IWCA?
Member wineries are recognized leaders of a global campaign.
Because our membership requirements are rigorous, our members are recognized as credible, committed leaders in the wine and climate spaces. IWCA members demonstrate that their commitment to sustainability doesn’t just stop at words—it results in on-the-ground results. We are proud to amplify member efforts and showcase them as industry leaders.
Member wineries are part of a knowledge-sharing community.
IWCA is a space for collaboration. We facilitate the sharing of best practices for mitigating climate impacts in vineyard and winery operations. Our members greatly benefit from this spirit of exchange and collaboration.
Member wineries gain access to tools.
IWCA members have first access to new tools and knowledge repositories that we develop, like our GHG emissions calculators. Members can also help build these tools—contributing not only to our organization but also to driving progress in the broader wine sector.
What are the membership requirements?
IWCA is open to any wine company that is involved in the production process from grapegrowing to bottling. There are three pathways for a winery to join IWCA:
As an APPLICANT, for wineries who have not yet met our GHG inventory requirements.
To become an Applicant, you must have completed a credible baseline GHG inventory encompassing at least Scopes 1 and 2 or have a plan to complete a credible baseline GHG inventory that encompasses Scopes 1-3. Applicants have one year to meet IWCA membership requirements and become a Silver- or Gold-level member.
As a SILVER-LEVEL MEMBER, for wineries who meet our baseline GHG inventory requirements.
To join IWCA as a Silver-level member, you must have completed a minimum baseline third-party verified GHG inventory for a standardized set of emissions categories across Scopes 1-3 (using the World Resources Institute’s GHG Protocol and ISO-14064 process), including 90% of your organization’s volume within the region where your main winery is located.
You must also commit to becoming Net Zero by 2050 across Scopes 1-3, ensuring consistent reductions of emissions per liter of wine produced to meet intermediate targets by 2030 in alignment with the United Nation’s Race To Zero Campaign.
As a GOLD-LEVEL MEMBER, for wineries who demonstrate consistent emissions reductions and meet our renewable energy requirement.
In addition to meeting Silver-level requirements, to become a Gold-level member, you must have winemaking operations be at least 20% powered by onsite renewable energy, as certified by independent audit. You must also demonstrate a consistent reduction of emissions per liter of wine produced from a baseline emissions inventory year.
What next? How do I apply to become an IWCA member winery?
It’s straightforward: if you think you are eligible for membership, contact us. We’ll follow up with next steps to gather additional information and answer any questions you have.
If you have any questions about the IWCA membership requirements or application—or, if you’re ready to begin the membership process—contact us! We will respond as soon as possible.