Clif Family Winery

Most of us are familiar with Clif Bars. It may even be common knowledge that Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford started the business out of their garage. What is impressive to learn, however, is the wide-ranging lifestyle brand Clif Family has grown into, including an expanded line of healthy food products, Clif Family Winery, Clif Family Tasting Room, the Bruschetteria Food Truck, and Clif Family Napa Valley artisan food products.

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Avid cyclists and adventurers at heart, Gary and Kit were enjoying a cycling trip through Northern Italy when they found themselves relishing in a leisurely meal with fresh organic local food. The desire to re-create that experience through Clif Family Wines is how the food truck was born. As a goal to share great food with the local community, Executive Chef John McConnell has designed a creative menu consisting of farm fresh bruschetta, spiedini, salads, Rotisserie chicken and sweet treats. 90% of the organic produce served at our Bruschetteria Food Truck comes from our Clif Family Organic Farm.

All 90 acres of Clif Family estate vineyards and farm are certified organic and certified Napa Green, a “soil-to-bottle” sustainability program. Clif Family Winery is committed to improving the efficiency of their crop inputs and increasing their soil organic matter and plant diversity.

Clif Family mission is to craft unique, regional wine and foods using practices that care for the earth; to support growers who use sustainable, organic farming methods; and to contribute to a more vibrant and healthy food community. The Team is committed to partnering with growers that farm organically or are certified through a third-party certification program such as Napa Green or the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. Their Cold Springs and Croquet Estate Vineyards are CCOF certified organic and Napa Green certified.

Clif Family is committed to their mission of sustainability in four key areas: farming, supporting healthy climate, zero waste and supporting their people and community.

Clif Family employees each donate 16 hours of company time every year to volunteer work in the local community, contributing almost 700 hours of community service on paid company time. Their monthly Sip & Support program provides monetary donations to 12 local non-profit partners each year, and their employees receive added benefits to support a healthy mind, body and soul including a monthly wellness stipend, reimbursements for national park passes and athletic events and ongoing employee education.

SIP Virtual Wine Tasting with Winemaker Laura Barrett

On this week's episode of SIP Virtual Wine Tastings we talked with Winemaker Laura Barrett of Clif Family Winery in Napa Valley. Laura shared the story and background the the Clif Family brand, shared details about her winemaking style and philosophy and talked about the sustainable and organic farming practices at Clif Family as well as the organic certified vineyards planted this year. Watch to learn about Howell Mountain wines including the small production 2017 'Gary's Improv' Zinfandel.