Napa’s Sustainable Practices


Trinchero Napa Valley
After implementing zero waste as part of their operation’s objective, Trinchero Napa Valley has been able to achieve 99% diversion. Instead of using traps or chemicals to combat rodents, this winery uses owl boxes. Trinchero also converts seeds, stems, and grape skins into compost for vineyards and cattle feed. The winery has received various certifications and is Napa Green Certified, Sustainable Certified, and Fish Friendly Certified. Domaine Carneros has also been awarded the California Green Medal Business Award for implementing innovative, efficient, cost-saving, and sustainable practices.

Restaurants:

Gran Electrica
When it comes to innovative recycling ideas, few can rival Gran Electrica. This restaurant recycles printed menus, to-go containers, paper hand towels, paper straws, and uses reusable laundry bags. The restaurant also works alongside Napa Valley Recycling to ensure maximum sustainability and minimum waste. Gran Electrica also has a partnership with a company that collects used oil for use as biofuel. As part of Gran Electrica’s commitment to sustainable practices, they only obtain their resources from local farms such as Five Dot Ranch, Llano Seco, Bassian Farms, Aloha Seafood, and Rancho Gordo. The establishment also grows various herbs, edible flowers, mint, cilantro, squash, and peppers on-site to limit any additional purchase. The management has trained the staff to minimize food wastage and encourages them to bike or carpool to work.

Angele Restaurant and Bar
This downtown Napa establishment solely sources its resources from local purveyors and composts and farms all paper and food waste. The restaurant uses corn and wooden silverware and corn and paper straws to minimize waste and avoid plastic usage.

Oxbow Public Market
The hallmark of Oxbow is creating direct links to sustainable food producers, local farms, and ranches. Merchants can only use compostable containers for their services. The cleaning supplies are eco-friendly, and the bathrooms feature hot air hand dryers instead of paper towels. The establishment also provides clients with waste management stations to enable them to be active in recycling and the disposal of trash and compost.
Indian Springs Calistoga
As part of their commitment to sustainable practices, Indian Springs Calistoga provides visitors compostable beverage cups at the spa, pool, and front desk. They also use thermal mineral water and greywater for irrigation, as well as a chicken coop on site.

Poetry Inn
Poetry Inn uses glass instead of plastic water bottles to curb its carbon footprint. The establishment refills its candles when they burn down and donates slightly used bath amenities and soap to Clean The World, which then distributes them to impoverished nations and helps them fight diseases by improving hygiene.

With so many businesses leading by example, it is easy to understand why Napa Valley has become synonymous with sustainable practices. This legacy will likely live on even as existing businesses grow and others emerge.…

Family Winery and Farm


Clif Family Winery and Farm
Clif Family Winery and Farm practices organic farming in all its vegetable gardens, fruit and olive orchards, and vineyards. The family-owned business obtains its ingredients for its Bruschetteria food truck from local suppliers, and its Napa Valley ranch. Clif Family Winery and Farm utilizes reusable and compostable service ware at the Bruschetteria food truck and all the kitchen waste is composted. The farm utilizes the Deep Green program by MCE Clean energy to power its administrative office, tasting room, and farm properties. Deep Green allows the Clif Family Winery and Farm to get sufficient power from solar power, biogas, and non-polluting wind, eliminating the use of non-eco-friendly sources of power. The farm is Napa Green Certified, Food Alliance Certified, and CCOF Certified. As part of the winery’s commitment to sustainable practices, they recently launched the Office Green Up Task Force (sponsored by Quick Collect) as a measure to find ways to recycle, utilize less energy, and minimize paper waste every day.

Trefethen Family Vineyards
This vineyard waters its vineyard with recycled water and solely uses solar power for its operation. Once the tanks and barrels are cleaned, the water is recycled to water the vineyards. This ensures that there is minimal waste. The winery also has an Integrated Pest Management System where bluebirds and bats manage insects, while owl boxes are used to combat rodents. Also, all seeds and grape skins are composted and recycled in the vineyard. Trefethen Family Vineyards conducts soil moisture checks throughout the vineyard to make the best decisions on the most ideal time for irrigation. To ensure that nothing goes to waste, and also as a show of gratitude, Trefethen Family Vineyards distributes all the excess produce to employees.

Domaine Carneros
Founded in 1987, Domaine Carneros tries to live on the land as lightly as possible. Eileen Crane, the founder, and CEO of Domaine Carneros has ensured that the winery continues to adhere to sustainable practices through the years. Early on Crane realized that sustainable practices are a good business model for both economical and philosophical reasons. The winery has received various certifications and is Napa Green Certified, Sustainable Certified, and Fish Friendly Certified. Domaine Carneros has also been awarded the California Green Medal Business Award for implementing innovative, efficient, cost-saving, and sustainable practices. In 2003, Domaine Carneros grabbed the headlines after installing the world’s largest solar collection (of a winery). The winery also has a packaging reuse program with a 20 to 25% annual reuse rate. Recycling and composting practices help divert 90% of the winery’s solid waste. Other sustainable practices by Domaine Carneros include feeding local cattle using diverted grape pomace and the use of owl boxes to tackle the menace of rodents.

Miner Family Winery
For a long time, the vision of Miner Family Winery was for the land to be powered solely using solar energy. This dream was actualized in 2008 after the inauguration of the photovoltaic system. The winery’s array is one of Napa Valley’s largest installations to date and helps balance the natural landscape’s aesthetics and environmental respect.…

Sustainable Practices and Travels in Napa Valley


Located near the San Francisco Bay area, the Napa Valley is made up of Lake Berryessa, the city of Napa, and the distinctive towns of Yountville, Oakville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Napa Valley is best known for its commitment to land stewardship and world-class wine. In 1968, Napa Valley became the first agricultural reserve in America. Since then, the Napa Valley has established itself as a leader in sustainable practices.

One of the fundamental reasons why Napa Valley became known for its world-class wine is the Napa Valley Agricultural reserve. According to the semi-annual visitor profile study conducted by Visit Napa Valley, the two things that appeal most to people visiting the region are its wine and beautiful scenery.

The Napa Valley golf course, hotels, restaurants, vintners, and winegrowers preserve and honor the region’s beautiful scenery with the following creative sustainable business practices to ensure Napa Valley continues with its legacy:
Wineries:

Long Meadow Ranch

This family-owned ranch was the first to practice circle farming, an integrated, sustainable, organic farming system that utilizes every inch of the ranch to ensure that the entire operation is healthy and sustainable. Included in the agricultural system are bees, horses, chickens, vegetables, heirloom fruits, highland cattle, olive groves, and vineyards. Vineyards are Long Meadow’s backbone. Over one hundred and fifty acres are cultivated using organic and sustainable practices recommended by California Certified Organic Farmers. The ranch extensively uses an organic composting system throughout the farm. Another sustainable practice by Long Meadow Ranch is the use of solar as a source of energy for their residential and commercial needs. This allows Long Meadow ranch to save almost seventy tons of carbon monoxide every year in comparison to a natural gas power plant.

Alpha Omega

Located in St. Helena, Alpha Omega is a Napa Green-certified vineyard and winery. This winery extensively uses solar power, relying almost solely on solar energy. Over the years, the use of solar energy has been very efficient and has helped Alpha Omega significantly reduce their electricity bill. Alpha Omega’s 580 kWh battery and 400 kWh solar microgrid system consists of an unprecedented, fully integrated battery and solar facility back-up system. One of the winery’s architectural features is 5 solar power arrays designed to provide shade for winery equipment, guests, and parking. Alpha Omega also features one charging station for electric cars and 3 Tesla charging stations. As part of its commitment to sustainable practices, Alpha Omega has stopped using branded plastic bottles, opting for ice-cold water from glass dispensers and eco-friendly, clear cups produced using cornstarch. The coffee cups are entirely made using renewable resources. All Toilet paper and paper towels are made using recycled materials. The winery also provides electronic hand dryers in the employee and guest restrooms to curb the use of paper.

Cakebread Cellars

Located in Rutherford, Cakebread has an eco-friendly parking area featuring permeable pavers laid on eighteen inches of crushed stone that ensures water is free of pollutants. Water is channeled to bioswales using underground drains, before being released to the groundwater table supply. Also, Cakebread Cellars’ parking area features drought-resistant landscaping and is shaded by a group of fruit, nut-bearing, and olive trees.…