L O D I R ULESW INERY HANDBOOK &B RANDING GUIDE LINE SCALIFORNIARULES SEALA G UIDE TO OU R SU S TAINABLE WIN EGROW ING COMMITMENT

CREATED BY CALIFORNIA FARMERS AND ACCREDITED BY
WORLD-RENOWNED SCIENTISTS, LODI RULES IS AMERICA’SORIGINAL SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING PROGRAM.

2022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

“CALIFORNIA RULES
CERTIFIED GREEN SEALSSIGNIFY A THIRD-PARTY AUDITEDCOMMITMENT TO RIGOROUS,
SCIENTIFICALLY SOUND SUSTAINABLE
WINEGROWING: FARMING THAT ISENVIRONMENTALLY AND SOCIALLYRESPONSIBLE WHILE ALSO BEING
ECONOMICALLY VIABLE.

”
A growing number of wineries
are recognizing the benefitsof producing wines from
LODI RULES certified grapes.
Sourcing certified winegrapes
and displaying the CALIFORNIARULES seal on wine labels canhelp brands stay at the leadingedge in today’s competitivemarket.
A wine label bearing the
LODI RULES or CALIFORNIARULES seal communicatesa winery's commitment tosustainability.

Hundreds of currentlyreleased wine labels proudly
carry one of our CERTIFIEDGREEN seals.

2022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

Table of Contents
Requirements for Using a CALIFORNIA RULES Seal................................2
Sourcing LODI RULES Certified Winegrapes ..........................................2
Certification Mark License Agreement...............................................3-6
TTB Tips & Annual Bottling Report............................................................7
Branding Guidelines .............................................................................8-9
Approved Language & Claims ............................................................10
LODI RULES Promotional Items ..............................................................11
Certified Sustainable Vineyard & Winery Signs....................................12
CALIFORNIA RULES Consumer Website................................................13

History & Contact Information
In 1992, the Lodi Winegrape Commission launched a grassroots farmer education program, aiming to
reduce the amount of pesticides used by learning about the entire vineyard ecosystem. The growers
wanted to farm more responsibly to ensure that farming could carry on for future generations. Thisgrassroots program turned into the formally accredited LODI RULES sustainable certification programin 2005, after over a decade of input from farmers, viticulturists, and leading environmentalists.
In 2009, the first vineyards outside of Lodi became certified. CALIFORNIA RULES is an expansion of thesuccessful LODI RULES program, where vineyards and wineries outside of the LODI AVA adhere to thesame set of rigorous, scientifically sound sustainable winegrowing practices.
Contact:

Stephanie Bolton, PhD
LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Director
Lodi Winegrape Commission
2545 West Turner Road, Lodi, CA 95242
209.367.4727 • stephanie@lodiwine.com

2022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

1Requirements for Using a CALIFORNIA RULES Seal
A given wine is eligible to bear a CALIFORNIA RULES seal, language, andclaims if the following requirements are met:
• A minimum of 85% of the wine was made from
LODI RULES certified winegrapes.
• The winery has submitted a signed Certification Mark
License Agreement to the Lodi Winegrape Commission.
(see pages 4-6)
A winery is eligible to use the LODI RULES or CALIFORNIA RULES seal
on materials other than wine labels (e.g. marketing material, signage,website, packaging) only if: The winery has at least one wine bearing a
LODI RULES seal (see above) available for purchase.
There is no fee for wineries to use the CALIFORNIA RULES seal. Manywineries choose to pay a bonus for LODI RULES certified grapes, whichhelps encourage farmers to participate in the program and helps tooffset some fees farmers pay to the third-party certification non-profit
organization, Protected Harvest. Since 2010, more than $12 million
in bonus dollars have been paid to LODI RULES farmers, supporting
progressive and sustainable vineyard practices.

Sourcing LODI RULES Certified Winegrapes
In 2021, over 64,800 acres became certified within Lodi, all across
California, in Washington state, and in Israel.
Winegrape buyers can use the directory available online atlodirules.org to retrieve contact information for LODI RULES growers.
Remember to also ask growers you currently purchase grapes fromas they may already certify their vineyards.

22022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

Certification Mark License Agreement
All wineries producing wines bearing a CALIFORNIA RULES seal must
submit a signed copy of the Certification Mark License Agreement(pages 4-6) to the Lodi Winegrape Commission prior to using the seal
on labels and other materials. This agreement protects the integrityof the CALIFORNIA RULES seal by guarding against misuse of the sealand providing public assurance that wines bearing the seal have met
the 85% composition requirement. By signing the Certification Mark
License Agreement, the winery agrees to the following, much of which
are described in greater detail in the agreement itself:• The Lodi Winegrape Commission retains the right toconduct a third-party chain of custody audit at any timewith advance notice.
• When using LODI RULES protected materials (name andseal), the winery must abide by the Lodi Winegrape
Commission’s LODI RULES branding guidelines.
• The winery acknowledges awareness that the CALIFORNIARULES seal is registered at the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office (U.S. Certification Mark Registration No. 3-736-972)
and is therefore the property of the Lodi Winegrape
Commission. Improper use of the protected material isunlawful.
Once signed, the winery need not re-apply. The completed
Certification Mark License Agreement is in effect until and unless oneof the parties terminates it.
Submit your signed copy to Dr. Stephanie Bolton:- email: stephanie@lodiwine.com- fax: 209.367.0737- in person/mail: 2545 West Turner Road, Lodi, CA 95242
You will then receive a high resolution file containing the CALIFORNIARULES seal by email.

2022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

3

CERTIFICATION MARK LICENSE AGREEMENT
This CERTIFICATION MARK LICENSE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is by and between the LODI WINEGRAPE COMMISSION (“LWC”), a California state
government agency with its principal place of business in Lodi, California and____________________________________________________________________________________________,
Company Namea _____________________________________________________________________("Winery"),
Company Type (i.e., Corporation, LLC, etc.)

and is effective as of __________________________________________________.
Date

1. DEFINITIONS.
Terms with initial capital letters used and not defined elsewhere in thisAgreement shall have the meanings set forth below, unless the context requires
otherwise.
“PROGRAM” shall mean the Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing
certification program (a copyrighted program of the LWC).
"PRODUCTS" shall mean wine produced by Winery from grapes where eightyfive percent (85%) or more of the grapes are from a vineyard(s) certified in
the Program.

WHEREAS, LWC is the owner of the Mark. The Mark is used inconnection only with Products.
WHEREAS, LWC desires to grant a non-exclusive revocable license toWinery during the term of this Agreement for the right to use said Mark.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth
herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto
agree as follows:

3. TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.
a.
Upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, LWC hereby grants
Winery the non-exclusive, revocable right to hold the Products out as being
produced using grapes where at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the grapes
come from a vineyard or vineyards certified in the Program, and to use theMark during the Term of this Agreement, solely on and in connection with theProducts.
b. LWC reserves the right to conduct a chain of custody audit at any
reasonable time during the term of this Agreement to confirm wine claimed as
Products was produced using grapes from vineyard or vineyards certified in the
Program.
4. CONSIDERATION.

5. OWNERSHIP OF MARK; RESERVATION OF RIGHTS. All righttitle and interest in and to the Mark shall belong solely to LWC. All
certification mark rights arising from use of the Mark by Winery shall inure
to the benefit of LWC. LWC retains all rights not expressly conveyed toWinery hereunder, and LWC may use and/or grant to others the right to use theMark in connection with other products.

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“MARK” shall mean the “California Rules seal” depicted in Exhibit A ofthis Agreement.
2. RECITALS

f. Winery will never disclose any confidential and non-public information
about LWC it acquires from any source during the Term of this Agreement.

6. QUALITY OF CERTIFIED PRODUCTS.
Winery shall ensure that the Products shall be of high standard and quality, andshall be adequate and suitable for their intended uses. LWC may request an
audit/inspection of the Products on which the Mark is used at any reasonable
time during the term of this Agreement to ensure that Products are of highquality.
7. PROTECTION OF RIGHTS.
a. Winery agrees that it will not apply for or seek to obtain trademark,copyright or any other proprietary right in the Mark. If Winery applies toregister its copyrights in any packaging, labeling, advertising or promotional
material that contains the Mark, then Winery shall exclude the Mark from its
copyright claim. LWC makes no warranty with respect to the Mark.

b. Winery agrees that if Winery receives knowledge of any unauthorized use of
the Mark by a third party, Winery will immediately call such fact to theattention of LWC. LWC shall then have the exclusive right in its sole
discretion to pursue an action against any such unauthorized use, and Wineryshall cooperate and assist in any such action. If requested by LWC, Wineryshall join in or cooperate in any such action as may be instituted by LWC; allat LWC's expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees. The proceeds
recovered in any such action in the form of damages, profits, or otherrecovery shall belong solely to LWC. Winery shall not commence any actionof its own to restrain or recover damages for any alleged infringements of theMark without first obtaining express written permission to do so from LWC.
c. Winery will not attack the title or right of LWC in and to the Mark, nor will
it attack the validity of the rights granted hereunder during the Term hereof or
thereafter.

Use of Mark by Winery is subject to the following conditions:

Winery shall use the Mark only in relation to Products, and not in relationa.
to any of Winery's products that are not in compliance with the terms outlined
above or as being made from winegrapes certified in the Program.

b. Winery shall use the Mark in the exact form provided to Winery by LWC,
without modification or deviation of any kind, except as is outlined in the Lodi Rules
Branding Guidelines (attached hereto as Exhibit B) and except that Winery may
re-size the Mark, so long as the overall dimensions remain consistent and legible.
c.
Use of the Mark does not constitute and may not be used to imply theendorsement of Products by LWC, or any other Product of Winery, and Markmay not be used as an indication of a particular standard of quality.
d. Winery will not harm, misuse or bring into disrepute the Mark, its
reputation, or that of LWC.
Winery will comply with all laws and regulations relating or pertaining toe.
the manufacture, sale, advertising or use of the Products, shall maintain highquality and standards for the Products commensurate with Winery's market,
and shall comply with any regulatory agencies which shall have jurisdiction
over the Products.

8. INDEMNIFICATION.
a. Winery hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold LWC and its officers,
directors, agents, employees, and representatives harmless from any loss, liability,
damage, cost or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees), arising out of the
production, distribution, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, and sale of
the Product(s), including without limitation any claims or suits against any of themby reason of or alleging any unauthorized or infringing use by Winery of
any patent, process, method, trade secret, copyright, trademark, or publicity
right or other similar property (other than the Mark covered by thisAgreement) or any alleged defects or inherent dangers in said Products or theuse thereof.
b. LWC shall give Winery prompt notice of any claim asserted against
LWC on the basis of which LWC intends to seek defense and/orindemnification from Winery as herein provided (but the obligations of theWinery under this Paragraph shall not be conditioned upon the receipt of such
notice).

California Rules Certification Mark License Agreement

4Page 12022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

9. TERM.
The term of this Agreement shall commence on the day and in the year first set
forth above, and shall continue until terminated by one of the parties as
described below.
10. TERMINATION.
Either LWC or Winery shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any
time by providing the other party with at least thirty (30) days prior written
notice of such termination. Upon receipt of notice of termination by Wineryfrom LWC, Winery shall immediately take all steps necessary to discontinue
the production of items or materials which have the Mark printed thereon.
If termination is by LWC without cause, Winery may continue to utilize theremaining items/materials which it has purchased with the Mark thereon, in
which case this Agreement will not terminate until the date of Winery’s lastuse of the Mark or within 60 days of receipt of notice of termination,
whichever is earlier. If Winery elects not to use remaining items/materials
which have the Mark printed thereon, then this Agreement shall terminate
thirty (30) days from the date of Winery’s receipt of LWC’s notice oftermination.
If termination by LWC is with cause, LWC may require that Winerydiscontinue use of the Mark immediately, in LWC’s sole discretion.

12. NO PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT VENTURE.
This Agreement does not constitute and shall not be construed as constituting apartnership, joint venture, employment relationship, or agency between Wineryand LWC. Neither party shall have any right to obligate or bind the otherparty in any manner whatsoever, and nothing herein contained shall give, or isintended to give, any rights of any kind to any third persons.
13. NO ASSIGNMENT.
The rights granted to Winery pursuant to this Agreement are personal toWinery and Winery shall not assign, transfer or sub-license any or all of therights granted herein to any third party without the written consent of LWC.
Winery shall not pledge or encumber this Agreement as security or collateral
for any obligation of Winery.
14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; WAIVER, MODIFICATION.
This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding of the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous
representations, understandings or agreements between the parties hereto. No
waiver, modification or cancellation of any term or condition of this Agreement
shall be effective unless executed in writing by the party charged therewith. No
written waiver shall excuse the performance of any act other than thosespecifically referred to therein.

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If Winery terminates the Agreement, with or without cause, the Agreement
shall terminate thirty (30) days from LWC’s receipt of notice of termination
regardless of whether or not Winery still has items/materials with the Mark
printed thereon, and Winery shall have no right to continue using theremaining items/materials past the end of the 30-day notice period.

11. NOTICES.
All notices which either party hereto is required or may desire to give to theother shall be given by addressing the same to the other at the address provided
below, or at such other address as may be designated in writing by any suchparty in a notice to the other given in the manner described in this Paragraph. Allsuch notices shall be deemed given on the date such notice is deposited, postage
prepaid, in the United States mail or with an express mail carrier, or on the datesuch
noticeisconfirmed
as
sent
via
email
or
fax.

15. DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
a.
Any dispute or disagreement between the parties hereto seeking toenjoin or restrain Winery's sale or distribution of the Products, or of any otherproducts, services, or merchandising bearing Mark or any copy or simulation
thereof, or other use of the Mark, may be determined in any forum of LWC's
choosing, and Winery hereby consents to venue and personal jurisdiction in theappropriate state court in San Joaquin County, State of California, and the UnitedStates District Court for the Central District of California. In any such action,
the forum may retain jurisdiction to award damages, profits, attorneys’ fees
and costs, or any other award as allowed by law in such matters.
b. Any other dispute or disagreement between the parties hereto arising out ofor relating to this Agreement shall be settled by binding arbitration in San
Joaquin County, California, under the rules of the American Arbitration
Association, and judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction. Arbitration shall not preempt the seeking of relief provided bysubparagraph a., and if such relief is sought, any court in which such action iscommenced, not any arbitration panel, shall determine whether any particularmatter is justiciable by the court or only arbitrable. Each party shall bear its own
attorneys’ fees and costs in any arbitration.
c.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Stateof California, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

16. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, thebalance of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and if any
provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstances, it shall neverthelessremain applicable to all other persons and circumstances .

.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers, as of the date first written above.
LODI WINEGRAPE COMMISSION

WINERY:_______________________________________________

Authorized Signature: ____________________________________________________________Authorized Signature: _______________________________________
P r i n t

N a m e :_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Title: Executive Director

Print Name: ______________________________________________
Title:

Address: 2545 W. Turner Rd. Lodi, CA 95242
Address: ________________________________________________
Email: __________________________________________________

California Rules Certification Mark License Agreement

Page 22022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

5

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2022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

TTB Tips
The U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulates
all claims made on wine labels, including certifications like LODI RULES.
Wineries are required by the TTB to keep chain of custody records. Every
harvest upon purchasing certified grapes, wineries must acquire a copyof the LODI RULES certificate directly from the grower.

“ WINERIES THAT ARE
COMMITTED TO LODI RULES

LODI RULES certificates are issued to growers by Protected Harvest by
November of each certification year. When submitting wine label
applications to TTB’s Certificates of Label Approval system (COLAs), it
is recommended to attach a copy of the LODI RULES certificate in the“other documents” section of the application.

CERTIFICATION, HAVE

Additional information on TTB regulations for wine can be found at:
ttb.gov/wine/.

SUSTAINABILITY AND THE

MARKETING POWER WITHGROWER THAT HAS A LODI
RULES CERTIFIED VINEYARD,

Annual Bottling Report

HAS BRANDING POWER

As stipulated by the Certification Mark License
Agreement, wineries must complete anannual bottling report of all wines bearing the
CALIFORNIA RULES seal.

WITH OTHER WINERIES.

”The information collected in the report will be
used by the Lodi Winegrape Commission to
track the quantity, variety, and other pertinent
data of wines bearing the CALIFORNIA RULES
seal to help promote the program to theindustry and consumers.
The Lodi Winegrape Commission will distributethe bottling report with instructions to wineries
each year.

2022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

7Branding Guidelines

Using the CALIFORNIA RULES Seal
The CALIFORNIA RULES seal is approved for use with the following
applications:• Signage• Wine labels• Websites• Other wine bottle packaging• Promotional materials
such as case boxes

Examples of Proper Use of the CALIFORNIA RULES Seal
The CALIFORNIA RULES seal can be used in full color, preferably in
red and green, but also in all green, or percentages of black. For
other color combinations, please seek approval from the Lodi
Winegrape Commission.
• Recommended size: Minimum 1/2” in diameter• All text should be readable and clear
Contact Dr. Stephanie Bolton at 209.367.4727 or stephanie@lodiwine.com
for electronic files of approved logos.

82022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

Color Palette
CALIFORNIA RULES seal color
paletteCMYK: 50, 10, 100, 30
RGB: 104, 138, 44

CMYK: 50,1 0, 100, 60
RGB: 66, 94, 23
CMYK: 27, 94, 94, 26
RGB: 148, 41, 35

Capitalization of CALIFORNIA RULES
When using CALIFORNIA RULES always capitalize every letter.
Example: “Created by California farmers and accredited by worldrenowned scientists, CALIFORNIA RULES is America’s original sustainablewinegrowing program.”

Font Usage
The LODI RULES branded font family is Century Gothic. A secondary fontis The Hand font, available for purchase at myfonts.com. Use of otherfonts is allowed.

Century Gothic Bold

Century Gothic - RegularA B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
a b c d e f g h i j k l m
n o p q r s t u v w x y z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
a b c d e f g h i j k l m
n o p q r s t u v w x y z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

The Hand - REGULAR

The Hand - BOLDABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
a b c d e f g h i j k l m
n o p q r s t u v w x y z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
a b c d e f g h i j k l m
n o p q r s t u v w x y z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 02022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

9

Approved Language
When referring to the CALIFORNIA RULES certification program, thefollowing language is approved:
			
			
			
			

• The CALIFORNIA RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing 		
program• CALIFORNIA RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing• CALIFORNIA RULES

Please note the program is referred to singularly as “CALIFORNIARULES”, not “The CALIFORNIA RULES”. When referring to wines
bearing the CALIFORNIA RULES seal, the following language isapproved:
			
		
			
			
			
			

• Wines made from LODI RULES or CALIFORNIA RULES 		certified grapes• Wines made from grapes certified in the CALIFORNIA 		
RULES program• Wines made from sustainably certified grapes• Wines made from certified green grapes

Other language is allowed as long as it is accurate. Contact theLodi Winegrape Commission with questions about the accuracyof other language not specified here. Note that the LODI RULES
program certifies vineyards based on the adoption of vineyard
management practices. At this time, the LODI RULES program
does not certify wineries or any aspect of the winemaking process.
Therefore, all language used on labels and on other materials mustreflect this.

Approved Claims

SOIL

WATER
AIR

PEOPLE

Claims about wines made from LODI RULES certified grapes andabout the CALIFORNIA RULES program may be made on wine labelsand other promotional materials. Note that any claims comparing
LODI RULES to other certification programs or to wines not madefrom certified grapes are not approved. When in doubt about theappropriateness of a claim, contact the Lodi Winegrape Commission.
Examples of common approved claims are:
			
			
			
		
			
		
		
			
		

• CALIFORNIA RULES is California’s original sustainable 		winegrowing certification program.
• CALIFORNIA RULES is accredited, certified, and audited 		by a true independent third party – Protected Harvest.
• CALIFORNIA RULES is a comprehensive certification
program that addresses the complete scope of farmmanagement practices.
• The CALIFORNIA RULES seal represents growers’ 			
commitment to sustainable farming.
• When you drink a glass of wine made from CALIFORNIARULES certified grapes, you are supporting a farmer,
a vintner, and an entire agricultural community thatembrace their responsibility to care for the environment
and the people.

Other claims are allowed if they are accurate. Visit californiarules.org, ourconsumer facing website, for ideas on how to talk about the
program to consumers!
102022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

LODI RULES Promotional Items
Contact Dr. Stephanie Bolton at the Lodi Winegrape Commission
for item availability and/or ordering information: 209.367.4727
or stephanie@lodiwine.com.
• Hats• Window and Car Decals• Hydro Flasks• Pins and Patches• Postcards and Stickers• Flash Drives• Stemless Wine Glasses• Wooden Boxes• Pop-Top Glass Bottles• Sustainable Vineyard Illustration• Temporary Tattoos• Kids Explain Sustainability Video:		lodirules.org/sustainability/What-Kids-Think
Many items are offered FREE or for a nominal fee.

2022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

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Certified Sustainable Vineyard & Winery Signs
CALIFORNIA RULES vineyard and winery signs (pictured below) areavailable from Gary’s Signs in Lodi.
Signs are customizable with your vineyard or winery name. Orders
can be placed with Robyn Markle at Gary’s Signs. Robyn is happy tocommunicate at 209.369.8592 (7:30am - 5pm weekdays) or
robynm@garysigns.com.

122022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

Consumer Targeted Website: californiarules.org
The LODI RULES program is the first sustainable winegrowing program tocreate a consumer targeted website.
All wineries using a CALIFORNIA RULES seal may be listed on this website
under the WINES heading. Contact Dr. Stephanie Bolton at 209.367.4727
or stephanie@lodiwine.com to update your information.

2022 Lodi Winegrape Commission

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30,680 acres are

C E R T I F I E D in L O D I

33,225 Acres in

OTHER CALIFORNIAREGIONS

2021

670 Acresin I S R A E L

CALIFORNIA RULES

259 Acres in

WASHINGTON

64,834 ACRES TOTAL in 2021

13
$12 million