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Electric Vehicle charging stations are available at many wineries in the Napa Valley, including Cakebread Cellars.

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Commuting in wifi luxury to and from work? This could be a new reality for the employees of three local wineries. (Photo credit: Steven Vance)

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Solar powered waste and recycling stations are available for visitors and employees at Cakebread.

Three Napa Green Wineries Explore a Commuting Partnership

“It was just so relaxing – drinking my coffee and not worrying about driving,” said Cynthia Sharp, office and green team manager at Cakebread Cellars, as she discussed carpooling to work with a coworker. When asked whether she’d take advantage of an upscale, private bus service complete with WiFi and TVs to get to and from work if Cakebread were to offer it, she said: “Definitely.”
As part of Down to Earth Month, the NVV is promoting the Napa Commute Challenge and exploring what our members are doing to incentivize the use of alternative transportation to and from work. Cakebread Cellars, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery and Opus One have promoted the use of alternative transportation for some time, and are now looking toward the future.
Cakebread has two electric vehicle charging stations, which employees take frequent advantage of. There are also two company hybrid cars available for work errands. As part of Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program, St. Supéry offers an incentive for drivers and passengers each day they carpool to work. The same goes for employees who bike. At their Dollarhide Ranch property, about 65% of employees – more than 20 workers – regularly take advantage of this incentive. Together with Opus One, these wineries are now exploring a partnership to offer employees a comfortable, low- or no-cost ride to work.
Human resources manager at Cakebread, Nicole Cummings, is leading the charge on their green commute initiative:

A partnership like this would not only reduce traffic and pollution but also reduce employee commute stress and costs and would benefit the whole county. We're thinking about benefits we can't quantify - like employees who work in different parts of the operation getting the chance to interact and socialize. There will be social dividends.

All three wineries are surveying employees to gauge interest in participation in “a green commuter program that consists of a private upscale bus that will shuttle employees between work and mutually convenient locations.” The results are in at Cakebread: of 56 respondents, nearly 70% would ride the bus at least 1-2 days per week, and more than 40% would ride the bus 3-5 days per week. That means on any given day, there could be more than 30 employees from Cakebread alone riding the bus.
Cakebread and St. Supéry are in conversation with a group called RidePal about the possibility of offering a 48-passenger service with pickup and drop-off at a Napa Park and Ride. Several buses and an array of pickup and drop-off times would be available. Employees reported they would be more likely to use the bus if they were guaranteed a ride home in case of unscheduled events or emergencies. Having company vehicles available can help address this issue. St. Supéry is also exploring working with the VINE to offer a pop-up bus stop right outside the winery if demand is high enough.
These Napa Neighbor wineries hope to have employee buses up and running by summer. Could your winery be next?

Tips to Ace the Napa Winery Commute Challenge:

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Carpooling can be easy! Identify co-workers who may live nearby and have similar schedules to you.

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Looking to fully relax on the way to work? Check out the VINE schedule to see if there is a stop near you.

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Make it fun! Many wineries are holding their own internal challenges to see who can take alternative transportation the most in of April and beyond.

Napa Green is about producing wine responsibly and being proud of our respect for the environment and for future generations.

Say hi to @marisataylorwines, our Winery & Climate Specialist. Marisa has supported sustainable farming and green practices from vineyard to cellar and across all winemaking operations and continues to leverage her expertise to help wineries become climate action champions. 

Thanks for all you do!
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Last week we had a great climate smart burn and alternatives demonstration @gloriaferrerwinery where attendees learned techniques for a conservation/low-smoke burn with demonstrations from @thecleanburncompany and @napa.char. 

Additionally, speakers from @naparcd and Treasury Wine Estates presented the results from a recent vineyard biochar application research project. 

Learn more on our website.
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Have you met Sierra, our Climate & Soil Specialist? Sierra works tirelessly to advance climate resiliency in the Napa Valley by collaborating with growers to realize their climate action aspirations. 

Say hi to @growresiliently next time you see her in the field. Thanks for all that you do, Sierra!
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On average 40-60% of a vineyard and winery’s carbon footprint is from packaging and distribution alone. Join us to explore climate smart, sustainable glass, closures, the future of reusable glass, alternative packaging. Hear case studies. Learn what is truly recyclable, and new opportunities to recycle film wrap and label backing. Since 2020, climate smart marketed CPG products have doubled in sales to $3.4 billion. Wine bottles and packaging can be leveraged to meet rising consumer demand for climate smart products.

Get tickets to this workshop @pineridgewine to hear from @napagreen @consciouscontainer @revinobottles @keystonecapsules @cork_supply @neotempowines @estal_packaging @uppervalleydisposal @naparecycling and more!
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You may have seen Megan, our Winery Program Manager, out and about sporting her @napagreen shirt and talking about green practices. Utilizing her background in hospitality, sustainability and engineering she is dedicated in guiding businesses toward a more sustainable future. 

Thanks for all you do @love.dream.breathe!
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Join us for All Things Bottle Sustainability on Friday, April 26th. Link in bio to register!
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Cheers to @abrittain! Anna has worked locally, nationally and internationally on environmental management, including leading @napagreen and @naparise to the forefront of the wine industry climate action movement. 

Keep an eye out for her with our unofficial mascot, Lily, sharing our best practices, facilitating action and growing resilience in our industry and community. 

Thank you for all you do!
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We’re so pleased to announce Verallia as a new Napa Green Sponsor and excited to see their work in creating lighter sparkling wine glass bottles with Napa Green Champion @domainecarneros! 

For more info on Verallia head to the link in our profile and for more info on becoming a Napa Green Sponsor email: social@napagreen.org 🥂
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We’ve had so much fun hosting and being out at events this March! It was great seeing you all at our Cutilvating Resilience Salon and Celebrate St. Helena event at @crockerstarr! 

We’re just getting warmed up because you know what next month is.. EARTH MONTH! 🌎🌱

Can’t wait to see more friendly faces celebrating our beautiful planet in April. Cheers! 🥂
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Join us for a not to be missed dinner experience. Only 20 guests in attendance will be looking out over the infinity pool at Neotempo’s organic vineyard, and the beautiful view of the Vaca Mountains beyond. Award-winning Chef Dave Cruz previously of Ad Hoc, will prepare a four-course, locally-sourced dinner paired with Cristal Louis Roederer Champagne and spectacular Neotempo wines. 

You will have the chance to share transformative conversations and form deep connections with industry leaders and changemakers. Special guest Karen MacNeil will share insights on “All Things Bottle Sustainability.” 

This will be, truly, unforgettable.

Claim your tax deductible tickets for April 26th asap and support local climate action. Information may be found at the link in our profile.
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Expedition Stags Leap! 🥾🍷

This is the way to our hearts! Plan your visit to Napa Green Certified winery @pineridgewine to taste the quality and learn all about climate smart practices in both the winery and vineyard! 

#stagsleap #napavalley #cabernet #regenerativeagriculture #winereels
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See and learn the technique for a conservation/low-smoke burn. Join us tomorrow for this no cost event at @gloriaferrerwinery! 

The Clean Burn Company and Napachar will run their BurnBoss air curtain burner and flame-capped kiln/ring-of-fire system for processing spent vines, fire fuel thinning, and other wood waste. All three of these techniques/technologies can be used to develop biochar. 

Michael Sippiora from Treasury Wine Estates will present the results of a recent vineyard biochar application research project.

Link in profile to register, see you tomorrow!
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In loving memory of the legendary Miljenko ‘Mike’ Grgich.
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Thank you to all who came out for our Weed Management event! For more info check out our online Weed Management Toolkit with FAQ’s, Case Studies, Resources and more. 

🌱🚜
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Cultivating Resilience in Napa Valley 🍷

A few tickets remain for the event THIS Thursday, March 14th at 3:00pm. Join Winemaker @matt_brain_, @cathycorison, @bedrockwines & @andrearobinsonms for a lively and interactive tasting of barrel samples and panel discussion. 

🎟️ Click the link in our profile to reserve your seat now.
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Join us THIS Thursday, March 14th for a panel on Cultivating Resilience with @cathycorison, @bedrockmorgan, @matt_brain_ & @andrearobinsonms. 

The event is held at @freemarkabbey and begins at 3:00pm. Please get your tickets ASAP at the link in our profile. See you there!
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