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Napa Green | Champion Story
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.
This medium-sized winery has a commitment to sustainability that is clear in both its facility management practices and its staff awareness and engagement. The results of this commitment are borne out by data. Water use (for processing as well as administration and hospitality) falls within a desirable range of three to six gallons of water per gallon of wine produced. Total electricity use (both from the grid and via solar photovoltaic generation) shows remarkable efficiency of less than 10-kilowatt hours of electricity required per case of wine produced. The ZD waste diversion rate (percentage of โwasteโ recycled and composted) is now over 70%. Looking to replicate their results? Hereโs how ZD achieves their resource savings:
Serious Solar Monitoring:ย When investing in a solar array, a common concern is getting the most return for the up-front capital expense. If systems are not regularly monitored, an inverter could fail and not be noticed for months, leading to a very expensive โtrue-upโ bill (the amount paid for electricity purchased from the grid).ย ZD Wines has staff dedicated to monitoring array performance regularly.ย This includes cleaning sections of the array to see if performance improves before cleaning the entirety of the system. The result is electricity generation that is still exceeding original projections.
Cool, Nighttime Air:ย ZD Wines utilizes nighttime air cooling effectively and allows cellar temperatures to float (with a target temperature of 70 degrees). Consequently, cellar cooling is only needed for two to three months of the year when the cellar for white wines is lowered to 47 degrees.
Using the Right Lights:ย ZD has upgraded all metal halide high bay lighting to high-efficiency lighting and is phasing-in an upgrade of T-8 lamps to LED lamps and drivers. They have utilized available rebates to tighten the ROI timeline.
EV Charging Readily Available:ย ZD has six EV charging stations available for use by both employees and guests. The availability of EV charging infrastructure motivated several ZD staff members to purchase electric vehicles, and there are now nine staff EVs that rotate through the stations.
High Pressure, Low Flow:ย ZD Wines has a custom-designed fixed high-pressure and low-flow water cleaning system for tanks and floors. They also have a progressive tank cleaning process which uses only a two-step cleaning system unless a tank has heavy sediment.
Lowering the Temps:ย The hot water temperature is set at 120 degrees facility-wide, and portable heaters are used to boost temperature selectively as needed.
Efficient Treatment:ย Well water is treated through simple filtration and UV sterilization. The filtration is done via a pleated cartridge filter that is not back-flushed, which is a source of additional water savings.
Soak and Save:ย New barrels are hydrated by filling with cold water and soaking for 24 hours. This water can be reused once for additional barrel hydration.
ZD Wines is not only comprehensively certified in both the Napa Green Land and Winery programs but has also achieved organic certification for 40 acres of estate vineyards and participates in the California Certified Sustainable Winegrowing program.
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 โSustainable Services & Solutionsโ partners and sponsors.
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This is not your typical itinerary by @abrittain โ wetting your palate for wine producers that are difficult, perhaps impossible, to visit. However, if you are a wine connoisseur seeking exceptional wines from sustainability and climate leaders you should absolutely put in the effort to secure wines from these @napagreen certified producers.
๐ @dominusestatewinery
๐ @lailvineyards
๐ @adamvs
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really canโt go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
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This itinerary is ideal for a girlsโ trip or a day out with friends! Discover the sustainable side of Napa with @goodfriendsgoodfood itinerary, which celebrates diversity and offers wines tailored to a range of palates.
These @napagreen certified wineries provide beautiful settings to connect over fantastic wine, all while supporting positive change within the wine industry.
๐ @domainecarneros
๐ @rdwinery
๐ @trefethenfamily
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really canโt go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
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This itinerary by Sommelier and Vintner, @danpetroski, showcases a rich variety of regional efforts from @napagreen certified wineries with a diversity of style, size, production and profiles, where each place focuses on varies in accordance with their distinct microclimate.
Be sure to check out the second 1/2 of this itinerary to complete your visit!
๐ @ashesxdiamonds
๐ @cliffledevineyards
๐ @hydewines
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really canโt go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
@closduvalโs bottles from Verallia are 30% lighter than traditional bottles, which represents a 34% reduction in carbon emissions from glass production alone!
Lightweight glass saves natural resources, lowers transportation costs and emissions, and reduces the risk of employee injuries. Not only is it infinitely recyclable, itโs also beautiful!
Get a bottle (or several) of this @napagreen certified wine to feel and taste the commitment sustainability from soil to bottle.
#winetasting #wineindustry #climateaction #lightenup #lightweightglassbottles
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Get insider information and tips to make the most of your trip to some of @reyeswine.mwโs favorite Napa Green certified wineries with this exclusive in-the-know Itinerary.
๐ @rdwinery
๐ @sequoiagrove
๐ @schramsberg
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really canโt go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
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This itinerary, by Master Sommelier, @andrearobinsonms, will take you to @napagreen Certified wineries, where we can see and taste the commitment to our planet and our community that pays off now in great wine, natural beauty and soil health, while paying it forward.
๐ @chandonusa
๐ @grgichhillsestate @grgichhills
๐ @troisnoixwine
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really canโt go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
Congratulations to @twentyrowswines for @napagreen Winery Certification!
Twenty Rows crafts small lots of their Napa Valley wines, at the @fiordisolewines certified sustainable facility. These wines are not only made with environmental impact in mind, they reflect honest varietal character and showcase the terroir where the grapes were grown.
#sustainablewine #sustainablewinery #napavalleywine
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This itinerary by @abrittain will take you to @napagreen certified, tucked away spots, run by some powerhouse women, deeply dedicated to the stewardship of the Napa Valley.
๐ @tressabores
๐ @viadernapavalley
๐ @spottswoodewinery
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really canโt go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
Congratulations to @etudewines for achieving @napagreen winery recertification!
Etude Wineโs sustainability initiatives encompass everything from cover crops, solar powered facilities, recycled water use and water-wise landscaping, wetland and habitat restoration, wildlife corridors, stunning pollinator gardens and more. For a truly immersive sustainability experience with expressive wines with a holistic winemaking approach.
#climateaction #winetasting #wineindustry
Being with a community of people who are excited about biodiversity, healthy ecosystems, and climate resilience is good for the soil and the soul!
Whether youโre regenerative curious or ready to get regenerative certified, reach out to join this community! Youโll get access to support, resources, practical guidance, and incredible field days like this one @bedrockwines with @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture
#regenerativeviticulture #OneBlockChallenge #climateaction
Thereโs still time to register for the @napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture #OneBlockChallenge informational sessions!
Register for either session at the link in our bio:
December 9th from 9:00-10:00 am
December 11th from 9:00-10:00 am
#soilhealth #regenerativeviticulture
@napagreen and @regenerativeviticulture partnered to bring the #OneBlockChallenge to Napa County winegrowers!
Tomorrow is the first virtual informational and onboarding session, so bring your questions, curiosity and excitement and hop on zoom to learn more.
#climateaction #regenerativeviticulture
Help us celebrate this historic milestone!!
100% of @napagreenโs Certified Vineyard members successfully phased out Roundup, setting a new standard for wine industry leadership.
Thank you to all of our members for your continued leadership and dedication to sustainability. Your choices impact meaningful change in our industry.
#climateaction #winebusiness #regenerativeag
What makes the #OneBlockChallenge so special? Hear from @regenerativeviticulture Co-Founder, @stephen_de_mirabeau!
The first informational session is next week so come with your questions. Learn more or get involved at the link in our bio.
#regenerativeag #regenerativeviticulture climateaction
@napagreen is a non-profit focused on climate action in the wine industry!
This #GivingTuesday consider donating any amount to support regenerative farming practices, sustainable wine production, and strengthening our community.
#climateaction #nonprofit
Happy Thanksgiving! We are so grateful for our incredible members and their teams, the community, our board, and all of the people who support climate action by drinking @napagreen certified wines!
Cheers! ๐ ๐ ๐
#climateaction #nonprofit #wineindustry
