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O’Neill Vintners & Distillers achieves organic certification
O’Neill Vintners & Distillers sets the stage for sustainable innovation with the Regenerative Organic Certification, focusing on ecosystem restoration and long-term environmental stewardship.
O’Neill Vintners & Distillers has achieved Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) for its 140-acre estate vineyard at Robert Hall Winery in Paso Robles, marking a significant milestone for the company in sustainable viticulture.
The business, a Certified B Corp, aims to further champion innovative farming practices that promote ecosystem restoration and social responsibility while adhering to the highest standards of organic farming.
Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) combines USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) organic standards with additional benchmarks for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. This certification is overseen by the non-profit Regenerative Organic Alliance, aiming to foster agricultural systems that benefit both the environment and communities.
Jeff O’Neill, founder & CEO of O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, highlighted the importance of this certification, stating: “Our mission is to continue scaling these practices globally, regenerating vineyards and making sustainable wines accessible and available.”
The comparative trials launched in 2020 at the Paso Robles vineyard offer insight into the impacts of regenerative organic farming compared to conventional practices, focusing on key areas such as soil health, carbon sequestration, and water retention.
Caine Thompson, head of sustainability for O’Neill, expressed that the ROC designation is a monumental step forward. “This sets a strong foundation to expand regenerative organic farming practices across more of our estate vineyards, enabling us to regenerate and restore our ecosystems and communities.”
O’Neill Vintners & Distillers’ leadership extends beyond its vineyards. With strong collaboration with international organisations like the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (RVF), the company is contributing to the broader movement of regenerative viticulture on a global scale.
Stephen Cronk, chairman of the RVF, praised the company’s efforts, describing them as “groundbreaking” for promoting scalable, climate-conscious farming solutions.
This achievement follows a series of sustainability recognitions for O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, including the Green Medal Leader Award from the California Wine Institute and B Corporation certification, further cementing its role as a leader in sustainable wine production. The company also bought Ram’s Gate Winery earlier this year.
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