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Sharon McDonnell | LeafScore
California’s wine industry is expected to face unprecedented climate related challenges in the coming years. Learn how one leading winery is taking action.
A Napa winery, Domaine Carneros, who installed the biggest solar power project of any winery in the world back in 2003, will now be the fourth winery in California to have a microgrid, allowing it to operate independently off-grid for up to a week in case of a power outage.
The winery, a producer of both sparkling wines and Pinot Noir on about 400 acres, is on track to complete its microgrid in November 2022.
Winner of the 2020 Climate Champion award in the business category from Napa Climate NOW!, a local citizens’ group, and a 2019 California Green Medal Business Award, and a Certified California Sustainable Winery since 2015, it’s the US outpost of Taittinger, the famous Champagne producer in France founded in 1732.
See also: How climate change threatens the wine industry
Domaine Carneros has a chateau inspired by Taitittinger’s 18th-century Chateau de la Marquetterie, plus formal gardens and a majestic fountain, in the Carneros AVA, a wine region located in both southern Napa and Sonoma. Its original solar panels are on the chateau rooftop and on a back building known as the Carriage House.
The microgrid is being built atop the carport and as ground-mounted structures by EDF Renewables, which develops and operates clean energy plants in over 20 countries, especially in Europe and North America.
Back in 2003, the winery’s solar project was regarded as a “hippie eccentricity,” noted the Napa Valley Register, and supplied about 35-40% of its electricity needs.
Its new upgraded 250-kilowatt solar project combines battery storage, allowing the winery to draw from stored energy during costly evening peak-demand times, with smart controls, enabling it to take the whole facility off the electrical grid in case of power outages and limit its use of diesel fuel for backup generators, is expected to supply 75-85% of its electricity needs, said Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros, who took over in 2020, the year the project was announced.
About Napa Green: The Napa Green 501c3 is a global leader in sustainable winegrowing, setting the highest bar for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry. Napa Green facilitates whole system soil to bottle certification for wineries and vineyards, and provides the expertise, boots-on-the-ground support, and resources to continually improve. Learn more at https://napagreen.org/participating-members/.
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Napa Green
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We all know that sheep are the cutest but why are they in so many vineyards?
Cori Carlson, owner of @napapastureprotein shared the ecological goals of grazing a vineyard, along with this one key takeaway at our recent @napagreen workshop.
🐑 🐑 🐑
#woolyweeders #regenerativevineyard #soilhealth
Join us on April 9, 2026 @charleskrugwinery to explore climate smart opportunities, sustainable glass, closures and more ways to green your supply chain.
We will share case studies, hear about climate-smart and alternative packaging, clarify what materials are truly recyclable, and identify new ways to divert more waste from the landfill.
With speakers from Verallia, @naturalcorkcouncil, @cork_supply, Treasury Wine Estates, @freeflowwines, @revinobottles, @keystonecapsules, Wine Industry Zero Waste Collective, @naparecycling and more!
➡️ ticket link in bio!
#winebusiness #wineindustry #supplychainmanagement
Discover four exceptional wineries united by a commitment to sustainability, community, and thoughtful hospitality.
These wineries are not only @napagreen certified but also @bcorporation certified, and through their “B Collaborative” partnership this month, they are offering a special tasting experience: wine club members receive two complimentary tastings, and non-members can enjoy a two-for-one tasting.
Learn More by visiting these wineries.
@artesawinery
@cliffamily
@spottswoodewinery
@troisnoixwine
#winetasting #visitnapavalley
Learn why Natalie Bath, Winemaker at @ruddestate considers @napagreen an important part of their commitment of land stewardship.
#SoilHealth #WomenInWine #RegenerativeViticulture
@napagreen has had a number of growers looking for organic solutions to dealing with nematodes where vines are planted. Our partners at @lallemandplantcareusa have an OMRI approved biological solution.
Learn more in this short video!
#soilhealth #vineyardmanagement #wineindustry
Join us March 17th @grgichhillsestate to connect with cover crop expert Keith Berns, with @greencoverseed, and experienced viticulturists, to leans how you can incorporate soil health practices in your vineyard!
➡️ Registration link in bio.
#soilhealth #regenerativevineyard #covercrop
What is biochar and why is it so cool?
Hear from @napa.char to learn more.
#climateaction #soilhealth #biochar
🐝 “If you build it, they will hum” - Erin Arnsteen, Western Program Coordinator @monarchjointventure
We are grateful for everyone who attended our Biodiversity in the Vineyard workshop last week! It was an amazing day @grgichhillsestate filled with bees, birds, butterflies, a community passionate about biodiversity, and experts providing resources for building biodiversity in YOUR vineyard.
#regenerativeag #biodiversity #worldwildlife #regenerativeviticulture
Join us in congratulating Megan Scott (@love.dream.breathe), our Operations Director, on 6 years at @napagreen. Megan’s positive attitude and “can do” approach to problem solving has greatly contributed to the success of Napa Green and our members.
Thanks for your work and dedication to sustainability!
📸 @brianamarieweddings
📍 @trefethenfamily
#womeninwine #womeninstem #climateaction
Thanks to the @naparegister for publishing this Climate Connection contribution from @napagreen’s Vineyard Program Director, Ben Mackie (@soilrainandhope) highlighting the biodiversity @grgichhillsestate.
If you loved this article, you’ll love our Birds, Bees & Butterflies: Biodiversity in the Vineyard workshop happening today!
#climateaction #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture
Friday night dinner dilemma?
Order takeout from @southsidenapa using promo code DONATE and 20% of your order will be donated to @napagreen.
It’s a win: win! You get dinner and @napagreen gets funding to contribute our impactful climate action work in Napa Valley.
Order online or preorder your Fried Chicken Friday pickup for February 27, 2026. Don’t forget to pair it with Napa Green certified wine! 🍽️ 🍷
#dineanddonate #nonprofit #napavalley
Join us Thursday, February 26 to learn about biodiversity in the vineyard.
🍇 Ivo Jeramaz, Winemaker & VP of Vineyards and Production at @grgichhillsestate, will welcome us to the beautiful property and illustrate the various implementation of habitat diversity they have undertaken at the American Canyon ranch.
🍇 Jo Ann Baumgartner & Sam Earnshaw from @wildfarmalliance will provide insight on how to maximize bird habitat and establish hedgerows to support the local ecology.
🍇 Erin Arnsteen from the @monarchjointventure will outline how pivotal vineyard acreage can be to support the dwindling Western Monarch populations.
🍇 Cori Carlson, owner of @napapastureprotein, will explain the ecological goals of grazing a vineyard.
🍇 Ruby Stahel from the @naparcd will join us to discuss the various resources that the RCD has to support habitat enhancement on Napa properties.
🍇 @soilrainandhope from @napagreen will talk about bees!
➡️ Ticket link in bio.
#biodiversity #regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture
Learn about the herd of cattle calmly grazing the vineyards @ruddestate, contributing to soil health and biodiversity, in our latest post from @soilrainandhope.
➡️ Link in bio.
#climateaction #regenerativeag #regnerativeviticulture #soilhealth
Thanks to @naparegister and @kcuz for this great article about the @regenerativeviticulture and @napagreen #OneBlockChallenge field day @celaniwines.
We had a great time engaging with attendees about opportunities to implement regenerative practices in their vineyards!
If you’re regenerative curious or want to learn more head to the link in our bio!
#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture
Congratulations on @napagreen Vineyard Certification to @shadybrookestatewinery!
Nestled in the picturesque heart of Coombsville, Shadybrook Estate, has shown a deep commitment to regenerative viticulture and climate action. Visit to see the natural beauty of this hidden gem.
#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture #napagreen
We love the biodiversity in this @grgichhillsestate American Canyon Vineyard!
Come learn how to integrate biodiversity in your vineyard on February 26 at this workshop with @napagreen, @grgichhillsestate, @wildfarmalliance, @monarchjointventure, @napapastureprotein and @naparcd.
➡️ Ticket link in bio.
#Biodiversity #RegenerativeAg #RegenerativeViticulture
