Who We Are
Save the Family Farms Napa Valley (STFF) was founded in 2017 with a clear mission: to keep small, family-owned farms viable for future generations. From the beginning, our goal has been to create a legal path forward for Napa Valley’s Micro-Producers—small, owner-operated winegrowers who produce less than 5,000 gallons of wine per year.
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In 2019, STFF became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Working closely with Napa County’s Planning, Building and Environmental Services (PBES), the Board of Supervisors, and Planning Commission, our team helped design a new, streamlined permit process tailored to the realities of Micro-Producers: the Micro-Winery Ordinance.
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Endorsed by Winegrowers of Napa County and Napa Valley Vintners, the ordinance was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors on May 5, 2022. Its passage marked a major milestone for STFF and positioned us as the leading voice advocating for Napa Valley wineries producing under 5,000 gallons annually.
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Today, our Executive Team continues to work with Napa County and state regulators to protect and promote Micro-Producers—ensuring that small family farms have a future in Napa Valley.
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What’s Next: Our Goals
STFF’s expanded mission is to nurture, promote, and safeguard Napa Valley’s Micro-Producers and Micro-Wineries. A key area of focus is working with state officials on California’s evolving Road and Street Standards (RSS) to ensure that the low-impact nature of Micro-Wineries is considered when evaluating road requirements—especially for case-by-case exceptions.
We are also proud to launch the Verified Napa Valley Micro-Producer designation.
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What Is a Verified Micro-Producer?
This designation recognizes ultra-small-batch producers whose wines embody a true farm-to-bottle story. These are not large companies with big marketing budgets—these are farmers, winemakers, and business owners doing it all themselves. They grow the grapes, make the wine, write the emails, and pack the shipments—offering a level of transparency and authenticity that’s increasingly rare in Napa Valley.
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For producers, the designation validates a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and personal connection. For wine lovers, it’s a chance to discover a deeper, more meaningful Napa Valley—one where passion, tradition, and innovation come together in every bottle.
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Micro-Producers are often at the forefront of creative winemaking and sustainable farming. Their small size gives them the freedom to experiment and the flexibility to engage directly with their customers—creating memorable, personalized experiences.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Verified Napa Valley Micro-Producer designation, applicants must:
Produce less than 5,000 gallons of wine annually
Be a Napa Valley Grape grower
Use at least 75% Napa Valley AVA fruit in their winemaking
Commit to sustainable farming and/or winemaking practices
Rely primarily on direct-to-consumer sales
Provide customers with direct access to the grower, winemaker, or owner
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It’s worth noting that most Micro-Producers are 100% family-run—many proudly led by women winemakers and owners.