O’Neill Vintners & Distillers Earns B Corp Recertification, Reinforcing Leadership in Scaled Sustainability
O’Neill Vintners & Distillers has officially achieved B Corporation recertification, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s leading sustainable wineries. This milestone marks another major step in the company’s journey toward responsible growth and environmental stewardship, building on its initial B Corp certification in 2022 and its recognition as the 2021 Wine Institute Green Medal Leader Award winner.
The B Corp recertification process, a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation, requires companies to continually improve across five key areas—Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers. For O’Neill, recertification represents not just a reaffirmation of its values but a tangible demonstration of progress and accountability.
“Our B Corp recertification reflects the dedication of our entire team to build a business that drives positive impact for people and the planet,” said Founder & CEO Jeff O’Neill. “This is not a one-time achievement—it’s a commitment to ongoing progress and accountability.”
Setting a New Benchmark in the Wine Industry
O’Neill Vintners & Distillers improved its B Impact Assessment score from 98.3 in 2020 to 114.6 in its latest reassessment—an impressive 16.6% increase. This result places O’Neill among the top 5% of certified B Corp wineries worldwide, demonstrating that sustainability and profitability can coexist successfully.
At a time when many wine companies are struggling with economic and climate-related challenges, O’Neill’s continued improvement underscores the potential of integrating sustainability into large-scale operations. Its holistic approach spans environmental protection, community engagement, and innovation-driven growth.
Leading with Purpose and Innovation
As North America’s largest B Corp Certified winery, O’Neill has continued to expand its sustainability programs, showcasing how scale can be a force for positive change. The company’s efforts include:
- Sustainable Grower Partnerships: O’Neill partners with more than 200 growers across 15,000 acres, all certified under the California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW) program. Many of these growers are adopting regenerative farming practices, promoting soil health and biodiversity.
- Zero Waste Leadership: The company holds a TRUE Zero Waste Gold Certification, supported by creative waste-reduction innovations such as repurposing retired oak barrels for wastewater filtration and transforming grape pomace and stems into animal feed, minimizing environmental impact.
- Regenerative Organic Vineyards: Both Robert Hall Winery and Ram’s Gate Winery have achieved Regenerative Organic Certification, covering 170 acres of estate vineyards—a significant milestone in climate-smart viticulture.
- Clean Energy Expansion: By 2025, O’Neill will generate 8 megawatts of renewable energy through 33,000 square feet of solar panels, powering its winery operations with clean electricity.
- Innovative Water Reuse: The company’s BioFiltro® BIDA wastewater system transforms wastewater into clean irrigation water using worm beds that span the equivalent of 12 Olympic-sized pools of organic matter—an example of circular water management in action.
- Educational Equity: Through the Charles Woodson & O’Neill Family Scholarships, the company supports BIPOC students pursuing higher education, fostering diversity and inclusion within and beyond the wine industry.
Each of these initiatives reflects O’Neill’s integrated sustainability model—one that connects environmental responsibility with social equity and long-term economic health.
A Global Standard of Excellence
With its latest B Impact Assessment score of 114.6, O’Neill joins a global community of over 8,000 Certified B Corporations across 96 countries and 160 industries. This growing movement represents companies committed to using business as a force for good—driving systemic change toward a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
For O’Neill, this recertification goes beyond recognition; it reinforces the company’s role as a global leader in sustainable wine production. The winery continues to set new benchmarks for what is possible when environmental innovation meets large-scale production capability.
The company’s sustained progress proves that purpose-driven growth can be both measurable and scalable—providing a model for others in the industry to follow.
About O’Neill Vintners & Distillers
Founded in 2004 by Jeff O’Neill, O’Neill Vintners & Distillers is a family-owned, vertically integrated wine and spirits company dedicated to crafting exceptional products while advancing sustainability across every level of its operations. Headquartered in California, O’Neill’s vision is to combine craftsmanship with conscience—proving that high-quality wines and environmental responsibility can thrive together.
The company’s numerous accolades—including B Corp Certification, Regenerative Organic Certified® status, and the California Wine Institute’s Green Medal Leader Award—highlight its ongoing leadership in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and waste reduction.
O’Neill’s portfolio reflects both diversity and excellence, encompassing Ram’s Gate Winery, Robert Hall Winery, Line 39, Wines of Substance, FitVine Wine, Harken Chardonnay, Rabble Wine Company, Charles Woodson’s Intercept, No. 209 Gin, and BrandyLab. With winery estates in Sonoma and Paso Robles, and a major production facility in Parlier, O’Neill continues to set a new industry standard for sustainable growth and innovation.
As the company looks to the future, it remains focused on scaling its impact—championing responsible agriculture, renewable energy, and community advancement across all facets of its business.
