LIVE is an acronym meaning Low Input Viticulture and Enology. This refers to the practice of limiting the amount of raw materials (inputs such as pesticides, fertilizer, water, chemicals, fuel, etc.) used in vineyard and winery production.

Program Objectives

1. To see the vineyard as a whole system.
2. To create and maintain viticulture that is economically viable over time.
3. To maintain the highest level of quality in our fruit production. Integrated production should not require any compromise of our quality standards
4. To implement cultural practices and to solve problems in such a way that we minimize the use of off farm inputs, such as agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, with the goal of protecting the farmer, the environment, and society at large.
5. To encourage farming practices which promote and maintain high biological diversity in the whole vineyard.
6. To encourage responsible stewardship of soil health, fertility, and stability.

LIVE was registered as a 501(c)3 in 1999. Prior to this the organization had been certifying a small group of vineyards since 1997.

You are required to complete a contract and pay the fees associated with your membership type. You can do this by returning to the homepage of this website and using the link labeled 'Click here to enroll your property' just below the user login on the left-hand side of the screen.

The IOBC is the International Organization for the Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants. This organization sets the protocols from which LIVE draws its standards. Every year LIVE applies for endorsement from the IOBC. This international endorsement proves compliance to GLOBALGAP standards (www.globalgap.org), a recognized and highly regarded standard for agricultural production.

The IOBC promotes the use of sustainable, environmentally safe, economically feasible, and socially acceptable control methods of pests and diseases of agricultural and forestry crops. Certified LIVE members are also internationally certified by the IOBC.

Because LIVE is a technical certifying organization, we do not focus on consumer marketing. Our members have in the past taken it upon themselves to spread the word of our program. Recently, Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine (OCSW) was launched as a program aimed at simplifying the message of 3rd-party certification. LIVE members are eligible to participate in this program, which is administered by Hannelore Buckenmeyer at the Oregon Wine Board. She can be contacted at hannelore@oregonwine.org. You can learn more about the OCSW program here.

Only certified members are listed on this website. LIVE takes very seriously the confidentiality of its members. Therefore, until a member has successfully completed two inspections (or one inspection in the case of wineries), it will not be listed on this website.

The answer to this depends on a number of factors. In order to use the LIVE logo on your wine bottle, you must certify that particular bottling. To do this, log in to your account, click on 'Wine Certification', and fill out an application for this bottling. Furthermore, you will need to fax the LIVE office a copy of your labwork with all pertinent information. Finally, your wine must contain at least 97% LIVE certified fruit. If your wine meets these criteria, then you may use the logo along with the required text "Made with LIVE Certified Grapes." If your winery is certified, you need not use this text.

LIVE is first-and-foremost a technical certifying organization that must meet the evolving needs of its membership. To remain a responsive body, LIVE has employed the use of regional technical committees to address issues dealing with sustainability, chemistries, key pests, and other non-administrative issues.

Currently, LIVE has sanctioned four technical committees. The vineyard certification program currently consists of three - Western Oregon, Central and Southern Washington, and Eastern Oregon and Washington. The winery certification program currently consists of one based in the Willamette Valley.

The regional nature of these committees allow for timely and informed responses to membership as the LIVE program grows to include diverse areas of the northwest. If you are unsure of which technical committee you should refer to, please contact the LIVE office.