In mid-2025, GCF Task Force member and wine-growing region, Tarija, requested support
from Fundación Natura Bolivia (in its capacity as the GCF Task Force focal point in Bolivia) to design,
plan, and coordinate a working visit to the State of California, USA, to obtain knowledge, best
practices, lessons learned, and technologies related to wine production and tourism.
Secretary for Economic Development, Natural Resources, and the Environment of Tarija, Engineer Efraín Rivera Gutiérrez, designed a project called “Technological Capture in Bioeconomy, Wine Management, and Tourism in Tarija from California, USA” to aid in the sustainable development of the region of Tarija and its surrounding areas.
A delegation from Bolivia visited Sacramento, California from October 22 – 31, 2025 and included:
- Efraín Rivera Gutiérrez, Departmental Secretary of Economic Development, Natural
Resources, and Environment of the Government of Tarija - Wilmar Villena Cardozo, Representative of the Private Wine Sector of Tarija
- Luis Eduardo Rios: Fundación Natura Bolivia Representative and GCF Task Force Bolivia Country Coordinator.
The delegation was accompanied by Martha Gutiérrez Fontes from the GCF Task Force Global Secretariat and met with various policymakers, wine producers, and wineries, including:
- Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
- Josh Eddy, Director of International Affairs, CDFA
- Sarah Izant, Deputy Secretary, California Air Resources Board (CARB)
- Shannon Dilley, Chief Counsel and Tribal Liaison, CARB (and GCF Task Force Delegate)
- Adam Moreno, Nature-Based Strategies Manager, CARB
- Noelle Cremers, Director of Regulatory and Environmental Affairs, Wine Institute of California
- Julie Berge, Vice President of Communications and Member Relations, Wine Institute of California
- Natalie Collins, President, California Association of Winegrape Growers
- Dr. Stephanie Bolton, Grower Research & Education Director and Sustainable Winegrowing Director, Lodi Winegrape Commission
- Aaron Lange, Vice President of Vineyard Operations, and Susana Rodriguez Vasquez, Director of Winemaking, Lange Twins Family Winery and Vineyards
- Agustin Santi, Vineyard Operations Project Manager, Chandon
This “knowledge capture” resulted in deep hands-on learning related to technological innovation and wine tourism in California. Tarija aims to become “California of the Andes,” with improvements in technology, water management, living soils, clean energy, and sustainable tourism. Immediate steps will be taken to improve quality, reduce costs, and open premium markets while Tarija develops and implements a comprehensive bioeconomy plan with wine and tourism financing mechanisms.