I just returned from Sonoma, CA, where I was impressed to visit a number of wineries that have begun to "Go Green."

According to the Bay Area Green Business Program (a partnership of government agencies and utilities that helps local businesses comply with environmental regulations and take action to conserve resources, prevent pollution, and minimize waste), here are the Top Green Winery Practices:

Encourage Green Practices in Employees:

• Start “Green” committees which meet monthly.

Solid & Hazardous Waste Reduction:

• Recycle cardboard and shrink warp through the use of balers.
• Install ozone systems to sterilize barrels. This eliminates the use of hazardous chemicals.

Conserve Energy & Water:

• Use high pressure/low volume cleaning equipment to reduce water usage.
• Reduce energy usage for cooling tanks by using refrigeration jackets.
• Purchase new, energy-efficient equipment such as:
• ...vacuum pumps to eliminate water used in bottling operations, and
• ...self-cleaning presses used in crush operations, which reduce water use

Green Farming Practices:

• Use pumice and diatomaceous earth as compost in the vineyards.
• Protect against pests in vineyards naturally using permaculture gardens.

Beneficial Byproduct Use

• Reuse waste water on vineyards and landscaping.
• Converse waste wine into marketable vinegar.

I paid a recent visit to St. Francis, a great example of a winery that has recently gone green.

St. Francis reuses winery waste water to irrigate their vineyards.  They have established a wildlife preserve (40 acres of wetland in the Russian River Valley) to provide a safe habitat for wildlife and water fowl.  St. Francis installed a 457kw solar electrical system on the roof of the winery and barrel building, reporting that the system will reduce CO2 emissions by 4,000 tons over the next 30 years.  They also utilize energy efficient lighting, which they report has resulted in a 55% reduction in energy usage since 2004, and they’ve utilized recycled steel amongst building materials in ongoing construction.

I also had the pleasure of sampling Parducci wines at a recent event.  Parduccis was the first winery in the US to be Carbon Neutral.  They achieve carbon neutrality via:

• Buying locally grown, Mendocino grapes
• Sustainable farming practices, such as Integrated Pest Management and the use of animal and green manures (vs. pesticide spraying and synthetic fertilizers)
• Using Biodiesel in all tractors and cars
• Solar panels, which supply 25% of the winery's energy needs
• Earth-friendly packaging, in the form of 100% post-consumer (New Leaf) and tree-free (Kenaf) papers in packaging and all other printed materials. The winery also prints with soy-based ink.

More on green wine and other fine libations at Organic, Local, Solar Powered Booze

Napa vintners certify green wineries

NAPA VALLEY – Napa Valley Vintners, a trade group for more than 300 local wineries, has launched a certification program for any Napa County winery that wants verification for its claims to being green.

This is part of a wider effort in business to be counted for practices and capital investments deemed to have a lighter or positive effect on the environment. It’s also meant to discount claims that such efforts are merely marketing, a tactic called “greenwashing.”