Wine
Any wine made with at least 85% SIP Certified fruit (estate or purchased) can apply to use the SIP Certified® logo on the bottle. The application process involves chain-of-custody documentation that traces the wine from the vineyard to the bottle.
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- Apply any time
- For wines that have never been certified before, we recommend applying prior to bottling
- Wait for your Eligibility Letter before printing labels
- Certification is required for each new vintage
- Apply any time
Document Your Wine’s Journey
Wine inspections focus on chain-of-custody documentation that tracks fruit from harvest to the bottle. Your inspections can take place anytime during the year.
Certification Timeline
Most applicants receive their Eligibility Letter in 14–30 days*.
| Timeframe | Step |
|---|---|
| 5 mins | Apply online |
| 1–5 days | Inspector selects 20% of SKUs for audit |
| 10 mins | Upload your documents |
| 1–5 days | Inspector reviews documents |
| 1–5 days | Audit report processed by SIP Certified staff |
| 1–5 days | Committee votes on eligibility |
| 1–5 days | Receive your Eligibility Letter^ |
*Please note, a delay by the applicant to promptly complete any of the related steps will result in a delay in granting licensing and use of the seal.
^Please wait until receiving your Eligibility Letter before printing your labels.
Costs at a Glance
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- Licensing: based on the number of cases that will be SIP Certified in the calendar year. See table below (paid to Vineyard Team).
- Inspection: 1–3 hours at $100–$175/hour (paid to inspector).
| Annual Certified Cases | $/case | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 0–7,499 | $0.16 | 2,000 cases = $320 |
| 7,500–24,999 | $0.12 | 12,000 cases = $1,440 |
| 25,000–49,999 | $0.10 | 34,000 cases = $3,400 |
| 50,000–99,999 | $0.08 | 75,000 cases = $6,000 |
| 100,000–249,999 | $0.07 | 180,000 cases = $12,600 |
Logo Guidelines
FAQ
Yes! Your winery does not need to be certified for you to certify your wines. Just be sure to use the appropriate logo/verbiage on your bottle (see Label Guidelines above).
If your winery is certified, you may use the “SIP Certified Vineyard & Winery” logo/verbiage (see Logo Guidelines above).
Yes! As long as the final product contains at least 85% SIP Certified fruit, you can apply to get certified.
Just be sure to use the appropriate logo/verbiage on your bottle (see Label Guidelines above).
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- First-time certified blends: at final blend stage, prior to bottling
- Repeat blends: post-bottling (if identical blend to previously-certified blend)
Please note, certification must be renewed with each new vintage.
Yes, certification must be renewed with each new vintage. Please create a new application to certify new wines.
You will need to supply your harvest and winemaking records. Use the checklist below:
□ Harvest docmentation
□ Crush records
□ Tank/barrel storage
□ Trial blend (if applicable)
□ Blending records
□ Bottling records