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Napa Green | Champion Story
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.
The winery has both Napa Green Land and Winery certifications, but they wanted to further improve efficiency. Matt notes, “Solar is glamorous, but it’s pushing the green ‘easy’ button. Real savings come in the details.” For example, staff noticed when the tasting room is busy, it gets stuffy, requiring more air conditioning. The solution? MacroAir fans with blades shaped like airplane wings. They are low speed, quiet and circulate air efficiently, allowing Chateau Montelena to increase the thermostat 2-4 degrees in summer. “We were the first winery to have this high-tech system. Fans are $3,000 each, but with HVAC savings and customer comfort it was worth it. The fans keep the air dry as well, reducing humidity. It’s a win-win.”
Harvest presented another opportunity for conservation, when the winery simultaneously has high demand for hot water and is generating the most heat. By installing Therma-Stor heat exchangers on their hot glycol system, Chateau Montelena captures waste heat using it to reheat water. Matt says, “Well water is 52 degrees and our waste heat brings it to 110 degrees. Instead of heating water from 50 to 160 or 180 degrees, it only has to go up from 110. This was easy and low cost.”
Other measures range from simple to high-tech. Chateau Montelena found new, decorative LED filament bulbs for their chandeliers, which last for three-plus years, replacing incandescent bulbs that lasted just three months. They were the first winery to install the cutting edge DC Fast station Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers a few years ago. In 2016 they upgraded to Tesla 277 volt stations, providing the fastest Tesla charge available in the valley, along with a universal EV charging station.
The winery is also focused on water efficiency. They worked with Tule Technologies to install vineyard water sensors that measure evapotranspiration and real-time water use, providing immediate feedback on vine stress. Matt notes, “We dry farm the majority of our vines, but if we do water we know exactly how much to irrigate. The sensors are cost-effective – less than $1,000 each. If you save a gallon of water per vine in a 100-acre vineyard, you’re saving 100,000 gallons.
Napa Green is a global leader in sustainable winegrowing, setting the highest bar for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry. Napa Green facilitates systematic soil to bottle certification for wineries and vineyards, and provides the resources, tools and connections to continuously level up leadership. In 2021, Napa Green was the first sustainable winegrowing program in the world to redevelop Vineyard certification standards to focus on climate action, regenerative carbon farming, and social equity. In 2022, Napa Green and community partners launched the first of its kind, six-event RISE Climate & Wine Symposium (formerly THRIVES) with over 65 leading speakers and 40 “Sustainable Services & Solutions” partners and sponsors.
Announcing two unprecedented “Fine and Rare Wines” donations to @christieswine will benefit @napagreen, the region’s leading sustainability and climate action nonprofit.
This incredible auction includes:
🍇 A remarkable 40-Bottle Vertical of @spottswoodewinery Cabernet Sauvignon donated by the @spottswoode_ceo family plus an invitation to attend Spottswoode’s Annual Vertical Tasting
🍇 A unique 19-Magnum Vertical of @opusonewinery Vintages 2001-2019 donated and signed by @opus_one_winemaker plus an Opus One Harvest Experience for four
The auction opens September 4 and runs through September 18.
We are so grateful to these two champion members for this incredibly generous donation.
#winetasting #winetastingexperience #winecollection #winecollector #napavalleywine #rarewine #finewines #nonprofit
This harvest, we’re celebrating 21 years of @napagreen, and the community leaders who have pioneered sustainability and climate action with us from the beginning.
The @napavintners (NVV) launched the Napa Green Winery program in 2008, and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard joined as a keynote speaker, saying, “I’ve been at this for 30 years and this is the best, most well-thought-out program I’ve ever seen.“
Let’s raise a glass to the founding members certified as Climate Smart Napa Green Wineries, continuing to lead the industry.
#wineindustry #winebusiness #environmentalstewardship #climateaction #sustainablewine #winetasting
The regional Napa Valley delegation for the Great Wine Capitals is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Best of Wine Tourism Regional Awards.
Don’t forget to submit your @napagreen certified winery for the Best of Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices!
Submission Deadline: September 1, 2025
#sustainablewine #ecotourism #sustainablewinery #climatesmartwine
Did you know that Napa Green is 21 years old? 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.
The @napavintners (NVV) stewarded @napagreen for its first fifteen years, and it is thanks to their vision and the leadership of these key founding members that Napa Green is still here to support growers and vintners in being the change in our community and industry.
Timeline: Napa Green Land was established in 2004. Napa Green Winery was established in 2008. The Land program ended in 2021, replaced by the new regenerative Napa Green Vineyard program.
#wineindustry #winebusiness #environmentalstewardship #climateaction #sustainablewine
What is Napa Green? Watch to find out! ⬆️
🎥 @robot_productions
#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture #regenerativeag #climatesmart #sustainablewine
That’s a wrap on Cheers to Climate Smart Wines, but you can continue to visit our amazing participating wineries to taste their delicious climate smart wines!
@spottswoodewinery
@mummsparkling
@phiferpavittwine
@domainecarneros
@etudewines
@chimneyrockwinery
@mvinowines
@pineridgewine
@chandonusa
@rutherfordhillwinery
@cliffamily
@tressabores
@beringervyds
@vsattui
@frankfamilyvineyards
@seaveyvineyard
Want more climate smart wines? Visit our website for a complete list of certified members and follow along for more itineraries.
#visitnapavalley #napavalleywines #climatesmartwines #sustainablewines #sustainablewinemaking #winetasting #ecotourism #climatesmart #wineindustry #sustainablewine
🍷 Our last itinerary for Cheers to Climate Smart Wines and it’s a good one! Thank you @frankfamilyvineyards, @aubergedusoleil & @seaveyvineyard!
Follow this itinerary for a stunning day in Napa!
Book your tastings at @napagreen certified @chimneyrockwinery @etudewines and @domainecarneros and stay at the luxurious @carnerosresort for a day that will delight all of your senses!
#visitnapa #winetasting #winetastings #winelover #sustainablewine #wineandfood #winecountry #winecountryliving
If you missed last night’s amazing climate smart wine tasting @klwines you can join us tonight Thursday, July 24 for another great lineup of @napagreen certified wineries @dominusestatewinery @chimneyrockwinery @domainecarneros and @beringervyds
You won’t want to miss this! Ticket link in bio.
#winetasting #winetastings #climatesmartwine #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery
📍Phifer Pavitt Wines in Calistoga!
A gorgeous family winery & vineyard that goes above and beyond in climate smart practices and quality of wine! 🍷
Can’t make it to Napa? Experience climate smart wines @klwines in downtown San Fransisco.
Join us Wednesday, July 23, 2025 to taste wines from @napagreen certified members @spottswoodewinery @pineridgewine @etudewines and @frankfamilyvineyards
You won’t want to miss this! Ticket link in bio.
#winetasting #winetastings #climatesmartwine #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery
Come join us this week at @klwines!! Tickets can be found at the link in our bio. Cheers! 🍷
😍 This one is a gem! Book your tastings at Napa Green Certifed @mummsparkling & @spottswoodewinery and enjoy a stay at the incredible @solageauberge!
Sustainability & Luxury truly make a great pairing. Cheers to Climate Smart Wines! 🍷
🎙️: @mvino1
⚠️ Don’t sleep on this one! Get your $15 tickets to taste INCREDIBLE wines from @spottswoodewinery, @dominusestatewinery, @chimneyrockwinery and many more at @klwines in San Francisco on July 23rd & 24th!
You know where to go ➡️ link in bio or www.napagreen.org. See you there! 🍷
📣 Calling all wine lovers! We’re partnering with some amazing wineries, restaurants and resorts to celebrate Cheers to Climate Smart Wines Month and we’re giving away an incredible ‘Experience Napa Valley Day’ to one lucky winner! 🍷
The winner will receive:
✨A one-night stay at @solageauberge
✨Wine tastings at @seaveyvineyard and @rutherfordhillwinery
✨A gift certificate to @charlies_nv
How to Enter:
1️⃣ Make sure you’re following @napagreen & @visitnapavalley
2️⃣ Like this post
3️⃣ Tag your favorite wine lover in the comments.
🙌 Bonus Entry: Share this post to your stories and tag us!
Giveaway ends Friday, July 18th. Winner will be announced here and contacted via DM by Monday, July 21st.
Legal Terms:
Must be 21+ and a legal resident of the U.S. to enter. Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram. No purchase necessary to enter. Winner will be selected at random and must respond within 48 hours to claim the prize. Travel and additional expenses NOT included.
Good Luck! 🥂
Sustainability is beautiful 🌼
Experience this wine tasting itenerary for yourself on your next trip Napa Valley! 🍷
#sustainabletravel #winetasting #winetrip #napavalley #napawine #climatesmart #winelovers #cheers
