102 California Wineries that are Going Green

When you think of environmental pollution, family-owned wineries are not usually at the top of the ‘worst offender’ list. But according to the European Environment Agency, small companies account for 60% of the world’s commercial waste and cause more than 50% of the environmental damage.

With over 2,500 bonded wineries in California alone, the wine industry’s impact on the environment is definitely an issue. A study by the University of Palermo calculated that producing one bottle of wine creates more than a pound of waste, and puts 16 grams of sulfur dioxide into the air.

This doesn’t seem like a big number, until you multiply that times the 192 million cases of California wine produced in the last calendar year (90% of total US production). Other environmental problems facing winery owners include: waste created from bottling, packaging and sending wine, pesticide runoff from the vineyard, the energy used running the winery and emissions from wine production and vineyard equipment.

Although this seems bleak, there is a movement in California Wine Country towards environmental responsibility. Over a hundred wineries are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint while still producing great wine. We wanted to recognize them for their efforts, and by spreading the word, hopefully others will follow in their footsteps.

Going Green Spotlight: Parducci Winery

1 Respect for the environment is one Parducci Winery’s core business principles. But including environmental responsibility in a company mission statement doesn’t mean much without implementing green technology and best practices. And this is where Parducci has separated themselves from other California Wineries.

Parducci exclusively uses biodiesel to power all of their trailers and cars. They have installed Solar panels to supply the winery with electric power. For packaging and all stationary materials, they use 100% post-consumer (New Leaf) and tree-free (Kenaf). All boxes are chlorine free, and all ink is soy based.

“The greatest challenge we face in the world today is global warming. All of us, individuals and businesses, must do all we can to meet this challenge,” says Paul Dolan, co-owner of Parducci. And over the past three years, Parducci has aggressively cut carbon emissions. They are leading the green winery movement in California, and throughout the world.

Going Green Spotlight: Frog’s Leap Winery

solar_panels In February of 2005, Frog’s Leap Winery ‘flipped the switch’ and became 100% solar powered. They use photovoltaic panels to collect sunlight, which is then converted to a clean, renewable energy. Frogs Leap has 1020 photovoltaic panels that generate 168 kw/day. Since the winery only uses 65 kw/day they actually feed energy back into grid

Frog’s Leap is striving to become LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified. To achieve this goal, they have implemented several best practices, including; Rapidly renewable materials, Certified wood & composite wood, Non-PVC piping, Low-emitting materials: carpets, paints, coatings, sealants, CFC reduction in HVAC equipment, and more.

The winery also uses geothermal heating and cooling to enhance its overall “green” energy program. Clean, renewable, and sustainable, geothermal energy is derived from the earth’s thermal mass. In the winter, water circulating within the sealed underground loop system absorbs heat from the earth and carries it to the geothermal unit where it provides heat to the building. In addition to all of the great things that Frog’s Leap is doing on the energy side, they also use dry farming in their certified organic vineyards.

Other California Wineries Going Green

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Araujo Estate Wines

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Araujo Estate Website
  • Phone: (707) 942-6061
  • Email: wine@araujoestate.com

Armida Winery

Arrowood Vineyards & Winery

Artesa Winery

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Program
  • Has Gardens
  • Sustainable Winery and Vineyard Practices
  • Enrolled in the Napa Neighbor Program
  • Artesa Winery Website
  • Phone: (707) 224-1668

Asti Winery

  • Certified Sonoma Green Business
  • Bay Area Green Business
  • Phone (707) 894-2541

B.R. Cohn Winery

Bartholomew Park Winery

Beaulieu Vineyard

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Program
  • Winery is on a Historic Property
  • Sustainable Winery and Vineyard Practices
  • Enrolled in the Napa Neighbor Program
  • Phone: (707) 967-5200

Benziger Family Winery

  • Certified Sonoma Green Business
  • Bay Area Green Business
  • Certified Organic
  • Phone: (888) 490-2739
  • Benziger Family Winery Website
  • Email: greatwine@benziger.com

Beringer Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has gardens
  • Beringer Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-7115
  • Email: info@beringer.com

Bighorn Cellars

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Bighorn Cellars Website
  • Phone: (707) 226-8569
  • Email: info@bighorncellars.com

Bouchaine Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Winery property is historical landmark
  • Bouchaine Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 252-9065
  • Email: info@bouchaine.com

Buena Vista Winery

Cain Vineyard & Winery

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Cain Vineyard Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-1616
  • Email: winery@cainfive.com

Cakebread Cellars

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Cakebread Cellars Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-5221
  • Email: cellars@cakebread.com

Chalk Hill Estate

Chappellet Winery and Vineyard

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Chappellet Winery Website
  • Phone: (800) 4-winery
  • Email: info@chappellet.com

Chateau Boswell Winery

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Chateau Boswell Winery Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-5472
  • Email: josh@chateauboswellwinery.com

Chateau Souverain Winery

Chateau St. Jean

Clark-Claudon Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Clark-Claudon Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 965-9393
  • Email: wine@clarkclaudon.com

Clos du Val

  • Enrolled in the Napa Green Program
  • Has Gardens and Picnic Areas
  • Sustainable Practices in the Winery and Vineyard
  • Enrolled in the Napa Neighbor Program
  • Clos du Val Website
  • Phone: (707) 261-5200

Clos Pegase

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Clos Pegase Website
  • Phone: (707) 942-4981
  • Email: tenma@clospegase.com

Cline Cellars

Clos Du Bois Winery

Constant

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • Constant Website
  • Phone: (707) 942-0707
  • Email: info@constantwine.com

Cuvaison Estate Wines

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Picnic Area
  • Cuvaison Estate Website
  • Phone: (707) 942-6266
  • Email: info@cuvaison.com

Davis Bynum Winery

  • Certified Sonoma Green Business
  • Bay Area Green Business
  • Davis Bynum Winery
  • Phone 866.442.7547
  • Email: info@davisbynum.com

Domaine Chandon

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • Domaine Chandon Website
  • Phone: (707) 944-8844
  • Email: pr@chandon.com

Domaine St. George Winery

Dry Creek Vineyard

Duckhorn Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Duckhorn Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (888) 354-8885
  • Email: welcome@duckhorn.com

Ehlers Estate

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Ehlers Estate Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-5972
  • Email: kmac@ehlersestate.com

Etude

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Etude Website
  • Phone: (707) 257-5300
  • Email: EtudeInfo@EtudeWines.com

Everett Ridge Vineyards and Winery

Folie a Deux

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Folie a Deux Website
  • Phone: (707) 944-2565
  • Email: info@folieadeux.com

Frog’s Leap

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • Frog’s Leap Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-4704
  • Email: ribbit@frogsleap.com

Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery

Gundlach Bundschu Winery

Hall Wines

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • Hall Website
  • Phone: (707) 967-2626
  • Email: info@hallwines.com

Hanna Winery

Hanzell Winery

Hartford Court Winery

Hawley Winery

  • Certified Sonoma Green Business
  • Certified Organic
  • Phone: 707-431-2705
  • Email: info@hawleywine.com

Heitz Cellar

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Heitz Cellar Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-3542
  • Email: kathleen@heitzcellar.com

Hess Collection Winery

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • Hess Collection Winery Website
  • Phone: (707) 255-1144
  • Email: info@hesscollection.com

Honig Vineyards

  • Enrolled in the Napa Green Program
  • Practices Sustainable Agriculture
  • Member of the Napa Neighbor Program
  • Honig Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-5618

Hop Kiln Winery

Imagery Estates Winery

Iron Horse Ranch Winery

J Wine Company

  • Certified Sonoma Green Business
  • Bay Area Green Business
  • J Wine Company Website
  • Phone: 888.JWINECO
  • Email: winefolk@jwine.com

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Joseph Phelps Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-2745
  • Email: jpvwines@aol.com

Jordan Winery

  • Certified Sonoma Green Business
  • Bay Area Green Business
  • Jordan Winery Website
  • Phone: 800.654.1213
  • Email: Info@JordanWinery.com

Kendall-Jackson

Kenwood Vineyards

  • Certified Sonoma Green Business
  • Kenwood Winery Website
  • Phone: (707) 833-5891
  • Email: info@kenwoodvineyards.com

Kunde Estate Winery

L. Foppiano Winery

La Crema Winery

Ladera Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Program
  • Historic Property with Gardens
  • Sustainable Vineyard Practices
  • Ladera Vineyards Website
  • (707) 965-2445

Lake Sonoma Winery

  • Certified Sonoma Green Business
  • Email: info@lswinery.com

Landmark Vineyards

Larkmead Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Larkmead Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 942-0167
  • Email: info@larkmead.com

Larson Family Winery

Long Meadow Ranch

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • Long Meadow Ranch Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-4555
  • Email: info@longmeadowranch.com

Matanzas Creek Winery

Merryvale Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • Merryvale Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-2225
  • Email: info@merryvale.com

Napa Cellars

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Napa Cellars Website
  • Phone: (707)944-2565
  • Email: info@tfewines.com

Opus One

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Opus One Website
  • Phone: (707) 944-9442
  • Email: info@opusonewinery.com

Paraduxx

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Paraduxx Website
  • Phone: (707) 945-0890
  • Email: tastings@paraduxx.com

Parry Cellars

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Parry Cellars Website
  • Phone: (707) 967-8160
  • Email: info@parrycellars.com

Peju

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Peju Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-3600
  • Email: info@peju.com

Pine Ridge Winery

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Has Gardens
  • Pine Ridge Winery Website
  • Phone: (707) 253-7500
  • Email: info@pineridgewine.com

Ravenswood Winery

Robert Mondavi Winery

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark Robert Mondavi Winery Website
  • Phone: (707) 226-1395
  • Email: info@robertmondaviwinery.com

Roshambo Winery

  • Certified Sonoma Green Business
  • Website: Roshambo Winery Website
  • Phone: 888.525.WINE
  • Email: info@roshambowinery.com

Saintsbury

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Saintsbury Website
  • Phone: (707) 252-0592
  • Email: virginia@saintsbury.com

Silverado Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Silverado Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 257-1770
  • Email: info@silveradovineyards.com

Spencer Roloson Winery

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Spencer Roloson Winery Website
  • Phone: (707) 968-9863
  • Email: w.roloson@spencerroloson.com

Sonoma-Cutrer Winery

  • Certified Sonoma Green Business
  • Phone: 888-766-2770

Sonoma Wine Company

Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • Spottswoode Estate Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-0134
  • Email: spottswoode@spottswoode.com

St. Francis Winery

St. Supery Vineyards & Winery”

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • St. Supery Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-4507
  • Email: divinecab@stsupery.com

Stag’s Leap Winery

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • Stag’s Leap Winery Website
  • Phone: (707) 944-1303
  • Email: kathy.nelson@stagsleap.com

Sterling Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Sterling Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 942-3345
  • Email: info@sterlingvineyards.com

Stonestreet Winery

Stony Hill Vineyard

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Stony Hill Vineyard Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-2636
  • Email: info@stonyhillvineyard.com

Swanson Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Has Gardens
  • Swanson Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 967-3500
  • Email: salon@swansonvineyards.com

Trefethen Family Vineyards

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • Trefethen Family Vineyards Website
  • Phone: (707) 255-7700
  • Email: winery@trefethen.com

Trentadue Winery

Tres Sabores

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Tres Sabores Website
  • Phone: (707) 967-8027
  • Email: jaj@tressabores.com

Trinchero Winery

  • Enrolled in Napa Green Land Program
  • Enrolled in Fish Friendly Farming Program
  • Practices sustainable agriculture/production
  • Has Gardens
  • Winery is a historical landmark
  • Trinchero Winery Website
  • Phone: (707) 963-1160
  • Email: info@trincherowinery.com

Valley of the Moon Winery

Wellington Vineyards

Williams Selyem Winery


Recent Discussion – 102 California Wineries that are Going Green

  1. lakelytle@yahoo.com said:

    Recently our oldest Grandaughter brought us a bottle of Rex-Goliath Cabernet for evaluation. I felt the label was more than adequate and appropriate for using it as a carrot to get consumer attention because in deed you are giving the "Bird" to the consumer.To call this wine swill would be a compliment. I have never seen red battery acid in my life. I have an educated pallet and I was insulted to know that this type of wine is on the market. In that it was bottle in Woodbridge sent me a loud clear message.Andre"The Master of Cabernets" and Robert Mondavi were very close and I was even given a case of Opus on a trip I had taken that year to the Valley, not San Joaquin.The back label was a joke. "Long on fruit and short on attitude" No fruit and really bad attitude would be more appropriate.How pathetic. One testswallow and down the sink.No it was not oxidized, or cooked, it simply was below inferior.

    Posted 12 days ago.

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