sustainability stories

Protecting Your Energy Budget: Why Winery Solar Roadmap Timing Matters Now

Protecting Your Energy Budget: Why Winery Solar Roadmap Timing Matters Now

BPi, a full-service EPC contractor and new Napa Green sponsor, helps wineries achieve financial viability alongside sustainability by building and optimizing long-term solar power assets, ensuring they earn revenue rather than just offsetting carbon.

The wooly workers behind Corison’s Cabernet

The wooly workers behind Corison’s Cabernet

Corison Winery, a long-time advocate for organic practices, used a Napa Green Climate Action Matching Grant to begin grazing sheep at their Kronos Vineyard, an ancient vineyard management technique used to reduce emissions, improve soil health, and increase vine resilience.

MCE Shines a Light on Savings with Dominus Estate

MCE Shines a Light on Savings with Dominus Estate

Dominus Estate, a Napa Valley winery committed to sustainability and Napa Green certified, partnered with MCE (formerly Marin Clean Energy) to perform an LED lighting retrofit, replacing 275 older T-12 fluorescent lights. Learn how much $$ they saved.

Moo-ve over sheep! Cows in the Vineyard

Moo-ve over sheep! Cows in the Vineyard

Rudd Estate has introduced a herd of cattle to graze their vineyards, shifting from their previous use of sheep, in a sustainable practice that benefits soil health and cover crop management.

Lallemand Plant Care Products Provide Nature Based Solutions

Lallemand Plant Care Products Provide Nature Based Solutions

Learn about the Lallemand Plant Care Solutions to common grower problems in the excerpts from this interview.

Lightweight glass is a win for wine

Lightweight glass is a win for wine

Learn how Clos Du Val is using Verallia's light weight glass to elevate their sustainability leadership.

Cheers to Founding Winery Leaders

Cheers to Founding Winery Leaders

The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) launched the Napa Green Winery program in 2008 focused on climate-smart practices in wine production and hospitality. This harvest, we’re celebrating 21 years of Napa Green, and the community leaders who have pioneered sustainability and climate action with us from the beginning.

Collective Impact Continues to Grow Thanks to Local Leaders

Collective Impact Continues to Grow Thanks to Local Leaders

Napa Green has a new milestone - the program is now 21 years old! This is an auspicious number and we want to celebrate and thank the community leaders who joined in from the beginning, and who have continued along the path of sustainability and climate action.

What is Napa Green Anyway?

What is Napa Green Anyway?

Hear from Napa Green Executive Director, Anna Brittain about what Napa Green really means, including how does it differ from Organic and what really is Climate Action?

Grgich Hills Estate – Growing Vineyard Health, ROI, and Welcoming Companion Plants

Grgich Hills Estate – Growing Vineyard Health, ROI, and Welcoming Companion Plants

As with sustainability, building a regenerative farm system is a journey, not a destination. Grgich Hills Estate has been on this journey for more than 20 years, and when you stand in their vineyards you see and feel the difference.

Natural Cork is a Win for Planet and People

Natural Cork is a Win for Planet and People

Natural cork is the most sustainable wine closure. Did you know that cork is made from the bark of cork oak trees? The bark cannot be harvested until the oak tree is 25 years old, and is then harvested every nine years, using ancient harvesting techniques. The bark harvest actually prolongs the life of the trees, which can live from 100 to 300 years.

Green Team Sustainability Leadership at Stagʹs Leap Wine Cellars

Green Team Sustainability Leadership at Stagʹs Leap Wine Cellars

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars has been Napa Green Certified from Soil to Bottle for over a decade. As a part of their commitment to continuing improvement, they have established a cross-departmental “Green Team” to engage and empower employees.

Going Green Energy & Incentives for EV Chargers

Going Green Energy & Incentives for EV Chargers

Energy efficiency is a core priority for Napa Green Wineries, both for conservation and cost-savings. Maximizing efficiency is especially important when considering the installation of solar renewable energy. As we say, “We don’t want to solarize inefficiencies.” The more efficient the operation, the smaller the scale and footprint of the solar array, reducing the price tag.

Climate Action and Electric Tractors

Climate Action and Electric Tractors

When discussing reduced herbicide use or organic farming, a common argument made is that more tractor passes are required, which increases emissions and the carbon footprint of vineyard operations. However, that no longer has to be the case as electric tractors are entering the market that are competitive with, or even outcompete, conventional tractors.

Lighten Up – the Benefits of Lighter Packaging

Lighten Up – the Benefits of Lighter Packaging

Packaging plays an important role in customer perception. We are hearing more and more stories from Napa Green members about the benefits of greener packaging AND customers giving kudos for eliminating Styrofoam and lightening packages.

Silenus Winery Takes Farming to the Next Level

Silenus Winery Takes Farming to the Next Level

April is a time of growth – when plants move from dormancy to bloom and the Napa Valley’s landscapes are lush and green, with the rivers and streams full from early spring rains. During April, we also celebrate Down to Earth month, making it a great time to think about soil health and how to manage property using “Carbon Farming.”

Napa Green Champions Make Water Efficiency Mainstream

Napa Green Champions Make Water Efficiency Mainstream

Looking for some new ideas to improve water efficiency, and simultaneously save energy? Here are a few examples of what some Napa Green wineries are doing to baseline and track water use to inform decision making; engage staff through “Blue Teams;” and set ambitious and inspiring goals like becoming the first Living Building Challenge certified winery.

For ZD Wines Sustainability is a Daily Endeavor

For ZD Wines Sustainability is a Daily Endeavor

ZD Wines, a family-owned winery operated by the 2nd and 3rd generations of the deLeuze family, is celebrating 50 years in the Napa Valley. They are a perfect case study of how embracing sustainability can support production of great tasting, world-class wines.

The Importance of Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

The Importance of Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing is a simple and straightforward way to reduce the environmental footprint of your business

Cultivating a Green Team

Cultivating a Green Team

Green Teams includes staff across departments and management hierarchies, sharing diverse perspectives on the opportunities, issues and concerns.

Are You Leveraging Your Sustainability Certification?

Are You Leveraging Your Sustainability Certification?

Most wineries don’t pursue sustainability certification for marketing purposes. But, an increasing number of studies shows both consumers and trade value environmental stewardship and use this information in their wine purchasing and sales decisions.

The Benefits of Biochar

The Benefits of Biochar

Biochar is a form of charcoal that is being tested as a soil amendment in several vineyards throughout Napa County as growers look to improve soil health, increase carbon capture and reduce nutrient inputs. Among those exploring the use of biochar are Cakebread Cellars, Spring Mountain Vineyard and the Napa Resource Conservation District (RCD), which manages an experimental vineyard in Carneros.

Reaping the Benefits of Cutting-Edge Irrigation Technologies

Reaping the Benefits of Cutting-Edge Irrigation Technologies

Tule Technologies and Ranch Systems provide tools to vintners to measure Actual Evapotranspiration, vine stress and wirelessly provide vineyard data that can be linked to automated irrigation. Pine Ridge Vineyards and Chateau Montelena Winery were early adopters of these technologies and they are impressed with the results.

Save Water, Save Money, Maximize Quality

Save Water, Save Money, Maximize Quality

The Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD) received grant funding to assist growers with low- to no-cost services that improve vineyard irrigation efficiency and scheduling. These include a comprehensive “Irrigation Toolbox” and the “Mobile Irrigation Lab” (a core component of the Toolbox).

Simple Steps to Reduce Winery Water Use

Simple Steps to Reduce Winery Water Use

As one of the original members of both of the Napa Green Certification programs, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery recognizes that sustainability is a path, not a destination. One of their key discoveries on the path to improvement is that day-to-day awareness and staff empowerment are critical.

Napa River Restoration Part II: Along the Upper Napa River

Napa River Restoration Part II: Along the Upper Napa River

The California Land Stewardship Institute (CLSI) is working with landowners on a restoration plan for a 5.3 mile stretch of the upper Napa River just downstream from Calistoga. This stretch of the river is highly entrenched, with vertical 20-25 ft. banks, actively eroding and threatening collapse.

Oakville to Oak Knoll – Building on the Success of the Rutherford Reach

Oakville to Oak Knoll – Building on the Success of the Rutherford Reach

The 9.5 mile Oakville to Oak Knoll (OVOK) Napa River restoration project flows immediately south of the Rutherford Reach restoration. More than 30 landowners are voluntarily participating in this collaborative effort, and like the Rutherford Reach, they are helping fund the long-term monitoring and maintenance of the project.

Rutherford Restored

Rutherford Restored

The Rutherford Reach restoration project has been lauded for rapid accomplishments achieved through private commitment and public partnership. The statistics are notable: This project alone achieved more than 80 percent of the mandated TMDL reduction target for the Napa River watershed due to channel incision and bank erosion.

Partnerships Help Restore the Napa River

Partnerships Help Restore the Napa River

Restoration of the Napa River is a testimony to the power of public-private partnerships in revitalizing the health of waterways and riparian lands. More than 70 property owners are contributing to four ongoing collaborative projects from Oak Knoll to just south of Calistoga, along the main stem of the Napa River.

Chateau Montelena: Bringing Together Green Technology and Napa Valley History

Chateau Montelena: Bringing Together Green Technology and Napa Valley History

Chateau Montelena Winery is a stone building nearly 130 years old. But that doesn’t stop winemaker Matt Crafton and members of their leadership team from implementing cutting edge technologies that save energy, water and money while maintaining the integrity of this historic building.

Judd’s Hill Cuts Tank Cleaning Water Use by 66 Percent

Judd’s Hill Cuts Tank Cleaning Water Use by 66 Percent

It’s hard to imagine getting fired up about tank and bottling line cleaning. But Eric Lyman, winemaker for Judd’s Hill, is genuinely excited about a new biodegradable cleaning product developed specifically for the wine industry: Destainex LF.

Truchard Vineyards – Big Vineyard, Big Heart

Truchard Vineyards – Big Vineyard, Big Heart

In 1888, Anthony Truchard II’s great, great grandfather moved from Lyon, France to the outskirts of Houston, Texas to start a winery. Though his efforts were ultimately stymied by Prohibition, a vision had already begun to take shape for future generations of his family.

Three Napa Green Wineries Explore a Commuting Partnership

Three Napa Green Wineries Explore a Commuting Partnership

As part of Down to Earth Month, the NVV is promoting the Napa Commute Challenge and exploring what our members are doing to incentivize the use of alternative transportation to and from work. Cakebread Cellars, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery and Opus One have promoted the use of alternative transportation for some time, and are now looking toward the future.

It’s Electric!

It’s Electric!

Electric vehicles (EV) are growing in popularity, making a winery’s decision to install EV charging stations not only a sound environmental investment but an opportunity to attract eco-conscious consumers. Wineries with EV charging stations are hearing the same story: A guest was in need of a charge, found that the nearest station was at a winery and decided to stop in for a taste while plugged in.

ZD Wines Thinks Green

ZD Wines Thinks Green

ZD Wines was recently certified as a Napa Green Winery. “It’s the way we think anyway – the way we do everything,” said CEO Robert deLeuze, son of founder Norman deLeuze, about the straightforward process to becoming certified.

A History of Waste Reduction at Trinchero

A History of Waste Reduction at Trinchero

Trinchero Family Estates was recently awarded the premier California Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Award Green Medal for their company-wide business leadership, recognizing a history of smart resource use going back nearly 70 years. When the Trinchero family purchased the Sutter Home winery in 1948 they began a tradition of recycling that included purchasing, washing and reusing bottles from neighboring wineries.

Saving Energy With Solar at Honig Vineyard and Winery

Saving Energy With Solar at Honig Vineyard and Winery

Honig Vineyard & Winery has spent the past ten years investing in energy conservation and renewable energy, and it all started with a PG&E energy audit. As a result of the initial audit, which included an assessment of their existing energy use and recommendations for upgrades, Michael Honig and his team changed out all of the old lighting for the highest efficiency lighting with a no-brainer payback period.

Cakebread Cellars Green Parking Lot Helps to Conserve Water

Cakebread Cellars Green Parking Lot Helps to Conserve Water

Bruce Cakebread and Cakebread Cellars are championing water conservation with their new green parking lot – native trees, drought tolerant grasses and flowers, permeable pavement and bio-swales that capture and filter water and recharge groundwater.

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