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A recent photograph of the deLeuze Family
Certified Organic since 1999, ZD Wines also uses a biodiesel tractor to reduce their impact.
ZD Wines vineyards
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 “waste” recycled and composted) is now over 70%. Looking to replicate their results? Here’s how ZD achieves their resource savings:The name ZD comes from ‘Zero Defects.’ The ZD team applies this principle to not only their wines but day-to-day operations and how they use energy and water. It shows in their results.
Serious Solar Monitoring: 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 “true-up” bill (the amount paid for electricity purchased from the grid). ZD Wines has staff dedicated to monitoring array performance regularly. 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: 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: 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: 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.
We look at the long-term impact of our decisions, both for our family today and the generations to come. Sustainable practices aren’t only the right thing to do, they also make fiscal sense. From solar generation to fewer inputs in our vineyards to reusing wastewater, being mindful of our footprint means costs savings over time.
High Pressure, Low Flow: 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: The hot water temperature is set at 120 degrees facility-wide, and portable heaters are used to boost temperature selectively as needed.
Efficient Treatment: 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: 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.
Our commitment to our ecological approach to business and life comes from our understanding that we only have one earth and we need to take care of it!
I applaud all vineyards and wineries that achieve Napa Green certification for their commitment to conservation and care for our community.
Hear from @marisataylorwines about the importance of water efficiency & savings and what we can all do to conserve this precious resource.
Join us for a not to be missed dinner experience at @opusonewinery while supporting philanthropic efforts on behalf of climate action.
An intimate group of 20 guests will be in attendance on the rotunda overlooking the estate vineyards. Chef Sarah Heller will prepare a four-course, locally-sourced dinner paired with Champagne Barons de Rothschild, Opalie de Château Coutet, and three vintages of Opus One wines.
You will have the chance to share transformative conversations and form deep connections with industry leaders and change makers.
Please find full invitation details at the link in our profile.
Happy Earth Day Napa Valley! It’s an incredible joy to work with you all and see the forward progress being made all over this gorgeous place we call home. Thank you for caring, thank you for stepping up and thank you for making a difference!! 🌎💚
Thanks to everyone who came out to @earthdaynapa and visited us at the @napagreen wine booth!
Cheers to @amici_cellars @cakebreadcellars @domainecarneros @handwrittenwines @robertmondavi and @whiterockvineyards for donating the certified sustainable wines to raise money for the Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County and helping make it a great event!
We’re pouring some stellar Napa Green wines tomorrow at @earthdaynapa to include:
@cakebreadcellars, @domainecarneros, @whiterockvineyards, @handwrittenwines, @amici_cellars & @robertmondavi!
Come by the booth! 🍷🌎
What you can do in the vineyard & what you can do at home! 🌼🦋
#happyearthday #earthmonth #sustainability #biodiversity #pollinators #herbicidefree #napa #napavalley #cheers
Come get involved this Earth Month! 🌎🌱
🌷 Earth Day Napa - Saturday, April 20th 11am -4pm at Oxbow Commons
🌷All Things Bottle Sustainability Workshop - Friday, April 26th at @pineridgewine from 9am -12:30pm. Registration is $20
🌷 All Things Bottle Sustainability Dinner! Friday, April 26th at @neotempowines with Karen MacNeil & Chef Dave Cruz!
Message us directly or head to the link in our bio for info!
Exciting news from @amici_cellars!
In celebration of Earth Month, from now through May 11, use code NAPAGREEN for 10% off your wine purchase. Even better? We’ll donate 20% of each sale to @napagreen and their sustainable initiatives.
We are proud to be Napa Green-certified, joining their mission for environmental stewardship. Stay tuned this week to learn more about our certification and about how Napa Green is pioneering a greener future in our valley.
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#amicicellars #NapaGreen #Sustainability #WineLovers #napawine #makeyourdollarscount #deliciouswine #cabernet #winecollector
Economic benefits & ROI of workshops: In a time of changing consumer trends, we want you think of us as extended members of your team. We are here to help share information of ways to not only increase your sustainability but also share with you how these things bring with them ROI, decrease in cost, consumer approval & many other economic benefits.
Join us at our All Things Bottle Sustainability Workshop to hear from our panel of experts. Registration is $20 and the link can be found in our profile. Cheers!
📣 Don’t miss these events!
April 26th - All Things Bottle Sustainability, Pine Ridge Vineyards, 9:00am.
May 23rd - The Future of Water Workshop, 9:00am.
On April 26 we have 12+ speakers covering all aspects of climate smart glass and packaging. Digging in on the truly most sustainable recyclable/compostable/reusable options, with some product show and tell.
On May 23 we have keynotes from two incredible speakers and internationally renowned experts: Peter Gleick, co-founder of the Pacific Institute and author of The Three Ages of Water, and Mimi Casteel, vineyard manager at Hope Well Wine and forest ecologist.
Register now!
Join us for a dinner that brilliantly combines luxury and sustainability with Vintner Kia Behnia, acclaimed Chef Dave Cruz and The Wine Bible Author, Karen MacNeil!
This event will help Napa Green raise much needed funding to keep our non profit thriving. For more info head to the link in our bio or email social@napagreen.org!
Looking for great sustainable wineries to visit?
Check out the great post from @visitnapavalley featuring Napa Green Certified Wineries @grgichhills @bennettlanewinery @cakebreadcellars @cliffamily @josephphelps @stsupery and @tressabores.
Cheers to Keeping Napa Valley Forever Green!
We invite you join us at a very special wine dinner with @karenmacneilco, Chef Dave Cruz and @neotempowines to raise funds for climate action in the wine industry.
For further details please go to the link in our profile or email social@napagreen.org.
We hope to see you there. Cheers!
This #earthmonth we are partnering with the Napa Valley Vintners all month long on #30ways30days! To kick off the month we are highlighting our 6 Pillars of Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership that encompass a whole systems approach to #sustainability in the wine industry. These pillars are the foundational, driving forces for our work with our Napa Green Certified members who are leading the way in regenerative practices and sustainability.
Join in by posting about one of the pillars, then tag @napagreen and @napavintners and use #30Ways30Days along with the hashtags pictured here. Stay with us all month long to learn more about Napa Green and all of the great work being done here in Napa Valley!
Happy Earth Month! While our members celebrate the Earth every day of the year, this month is a great time to showcase those sustainability practices and tell consumers what you do to be green! Be sure to tag @napagreen in your posts, join us @earthdaynapa, and reach out for more ways to get involved!
