Famous Napa vineyard goes green

Sterling Vineyards, a landmark Napa Valley winery, has just announced that its famed aerial tram is converting to solar energy. Each year the, celebrated tram carries more than 200,000 visitors to the Sterling Vineyards winery perched 300 feet above the town of Calistoga.

(Sterling Vineyards) – “Sterling has long had a commitment to sustainable farming practices and a concern for preserving our unique Napa environment,” said Michael Westrick, Vice President of Winemaking for Sterling Vineyards. “The conversion of the memorable Sterling Tram to clean, renewable solar power just makes environmental and economic sense. This is another step in our overall commitment to increase our conservation efforts, whether through longstanding support of The Land Trust of Napa Valley, the launch of Sterling Vineyards Made with Organic Grapes or our membership in the global movement 1% For The Planet.”

There are 336 solar panels installed on the roof of the Sterling Vineyards Reserve Winery located at the bottom of the hill and throughout the winery grounds. These panels will generate enough energy to power nearly eight average homes and save 33 tons of greenhouse gasses annually or 821 tons over the course of 25 years. The system is equivalent to planting 11.3 acres of trees.

The solar photovoltaic system is expected to generate 93,727 kWh per year – an extra 20,985 kWh/year, which will offset other uses at Sterling Vineyards. The additional energy will supply power for the Sterling Vineyards Reserve Winery; fermentation, blending and storage tanks; bottling lines; the Sterling Vineyards cave as well as other uses.

Visitors to Sterling Vineyards will see the real-time levels of power being generated by the solar system, the amount of power the tram is consuming and the cumulative amount of energy generated or consumed by each on a flat-panel video screen located at the tram entrance. This screen will also educate visitors about Sterling Vineyards other environmental efforts including recycling, reducing water use and reducing waste to landfill.

Visitors can enjoy Sterling Vineyards wines, tours and views from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm seven days a week.

For more information, visit www.SterlingVineyards.com.

About Sterling Vineyards
Sterling Vineyards wine is produced by Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines (DC&E), part of Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O), the world’s leading premium drinks business. DC&E produces and markets premium wines from around the globe including Napa Valley, Sonoma, the California Central Coast, Washington, France, New Zealand and Australia. Brands include: Sterling Vineyards, Sterling Vintner’s Collection, Chalone Vineyard, Acacia Vineyard, Edna Valley Vineyard and Provenance Vineyards as well as the French wines of Barton & Guestier. DC&E is also a leading importer of classified Bordeaux and Burgundy estate-bottled wines and F.E. Trimbach.

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California, energy, Napa Valley, organic, power, solar energy, tourism, wine