Allen Balik’s The Wine Exchange 5/21/26
The Micro-Winery Guild and sustainability
The Wine Exchange
May 21, 2026
In October 2025, California’s state legislature passed AB 720 that became effective on January 1, 2026. This measure gave small family owned wineries permission to now entertain guests in their vineyards. A major legislative breakthrough for a large number of wineries in this category who can now offer personal experiences to existing fans, as well as presenting educational and marketing events to attract new ones.
However, AB 720, and its subsequent adoption by Napa County, entails several restrictive guidelines, but is considered by many as a strong and positive step in letting the “little guys” of the industry compete in a new way with its larger players.
A few of the restrictions and guidelines for the small wineries are: All events must be held outdoors and in specific areas outlined in their Type 93 permit (“Estate Tasting Event Permit”). Events are capped at 49 people including any staff and must be held only during daytime hours with a maximum of 36 events per year.
In response to the passage of AB 720, a group formally known as “Save the Family Farm” was reorganized and rebranded as “Micro-Winery Guild” (MWG). It operates statewide with 30 members to start (a prominent Napa and Sonoma presence) and more expected soon. Although very active for months, the hard launch with PR and a social media push only began on May 12.
Membership is limited to those family wineries producing less than 5,000 cases annually with the majority of sales in the direct-to-consumer (DtC) channel. MWG members are encouraged to pattern their vineyard and tasting events as “T.A.S.T.E.” experiences to establish a route emphasizing agrotourism while promoting each member’s successes.
The acronym conveys the MWG goal of setting themselves apart from larger tasting rooms and elaborate events held under different guidelines and permits. Translated, it means: Terroir, Artisan craft, Small-scale production, Trust and Engagement. And, from a recent MWG event held at Lost Valley Wines in Napa Valley’s Wooden Canyon area, I was very impressed by the way farmer/vintners Debra Becker Lamb and her husband Eric Lamb envisioned and executed the event. T.A.S.T.E. was on full display and more on this in a bit.
According to their mission statement, “MWG is the only wine industry organization built by small producers, for small producers…The Guild offers a fundamentally different model which centers on authentic vineyard and micro-winery experiences as an economic engine – giving micro-wineries a distinct and ownable place in the market.”
MWG is rooted in agriculture, and its member wineries will be inviting guests to learn how farming decisions from soil to harvest shapes each bottle and naturally benefits what’s in your glass. Their ultimate goal is to increase through agrotourism, an awareness of the people, vineyards, sustainable practices, commitment and traditions carried forth by each and all members.
A tall task for small wineries to tackle, but one that will prove beneficial to wine lovers looking for something different when planning their future California wine country visits.
As mentioned above, last month I attended a T.A.S.T.E. event labeled as “Sustainability in Action Day” hosted by Debra Baker Lamb and her husband Eric Lamb at their Cardero Vineyard – the source of their Lost Valley Wines. Both work to promote sustainability throughout the vineyard, in the winemaking process and on to their packaging materials. As a team, Eric is focused on viticulture and farming while Deb works on the winemaking and business aspects.
The history of the property dates back to 1910 when novelist and adventurer Vingie Roe settled on the remote hilltop property he referred to as Lost Valley, because so many visitors lost their way to the ranch from over the hill in Napa. The Lambs purchased the property and began growing grapes in 2009 celebrating what they express as, “100 years of stewardship and storytelling,” when launching Codero (Spanish for lamb) Vineyards.
For several years, the Lambs were content to sell their fruit to several top-line wineries in the Valley, until 2023 when they also founded Lost Valley Wines to showcase their estate fruit under their own proprietary label. As an expression of sustainability and with its resultant wines in mind, Debra enlisted the support of several resources to work with in different aspects of the vineyard and winery.
All across the vineyard, a group of stations were set-up where a message of sustainability practices was discussed by a representative of the respective purveyors. Their contribution to farming practices was accompanied by a MWG member pouring a selection of their wines while sharing their application of the respective practice. An impressive, interesting and informative model to relate sustainability to the finished wine.
As we trekked through the hilly Cordero Vineyard, we were treated to several insightful presentations encompassing different practices pivotal to a total sustainability program. It all kicked-off with an in-depth exhibition of soil health and composting – accompanied by a pick-up truck filled with compost for us to feel and smell – complemented by the wines of Lost Valley.
We then moved to the next station and learned of advanced technology intended to constantly monitor irrigation through the use of soil monitors, weather stations, flow meters and more to decrease water usage without compromising quality. Here, Battuello Vineyards poured a selection of their wines while discussing their sustainability practices gained by a passing of knowledge from one generation to the next.
On our next stop, we learned how the rotational grazing of sheep meandering through the vineyard rows can control weeds without chemicals and enhance soil health by raising levels of organic material. Not only does this enhance vine health, it is also an important step in fire prevention. Elkhorn Peak Cellars provided the wines here and discussed their wide-ranging sustainability programs.
Debra hosted the next station to discuss packaging as an important factor in a winery’s overall sustainability plan as the bottle contributes about 30% of wine’s total carbon footprint from the vineyard to the glass. Lost Valley Wines has greatly reduced bottle weight and eliminated the foil capsule to enhance a lower footprint without sacrificing the packaging image.
Rebecca Sciandri Griffin of Sciandri Family Vineyards joined the conversation to explain the great lengths her family owned vineyard have introduced to ensure a safe and healthy environment for its vines under the Napa Green Certified Land Program, which includes certification for Fish Friendly Farming. The wines of Sciandri Family Vineyard accompanied the dual presentation to complete their story.
Solar energy and onsite electrification of the vineyard’s buildings and power needs were on display at the final stop. Eric presented this topic in front of his electric tractor and a massive array of generators and power storage equipment to create the needed power supply while further reducing their carbon footprint. A very impressive discussion and demonstration.
The last station was intended to add a special treat to the afternoon’s program. A table set with an impressive selection of even more Micro-Winery Guild’s member wines for us all to enjoy while exchanging thoughts on what we had learned from the T.A.S.T.E. experience. A very beneficial and worthwhile afternoon for sure.
Keep your eye out for further development with the Micro-Winery Guild. In their words: “MWG is a collective of micro-producers who represent the heart and soul of wine culture. They are artisans, farmers, storytellers and caretakers of the land – protectors of traditions that cannot be replicated at scale.”
MWG is a member-driven organization holding the interests of wine loving consumers at heart with a newly found ability to generously share their wines and sustainability message directly with us.
Share your experiences with other readers by commenting on this article with an email to me at
allenbalik@savorlifethroughwine.com.
Allen Balik, a Napa resident, has been a wine collector, consultant, author, fundraiser and enthusiast for more than 40 years.
