California
Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance Highlights
Progress in Energy Savings
SAN
FRANCISCO - To celebrate the upcoming Earth Day on
April 22, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA)
announced a five-fold increase in the number of annual energy-efficient
projects at California wineries and vineyards since 2005, when
CSWA and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) began cosponsoring
energy efficiency workshops designed for the wine industry.
The announcement was made yesterday at LangeTwins Winery in
Acampo near Lodi to a group of wine industry members and government
officials.
Over
the last four years, 359 energy-efficiency projects resulted
in California wineries receiving $6.25 million in PG&E rebates
and eliminated 30,371 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
These projects have saved California wineries 55,310,681 kilowatt-hours
(KWH) in energy savings, the equivalent of removing 4,226 cars
off the road for one year. To date, CSWA and PG&E have held
25 energy management workshops that were attended by 750 wine
industry members from around the state.
"Energy
efficiency is one of 14 sustainable winegrowing areas that the
CSWA program promotes," said Wine Institute President and
CEO Robert P. Koch. "Since CSWA's establishment six years
ago, 1,500 vintners and growers have participated in the sustainable
winegrowing program, representing 60 percent of California's
wine production and winegrape acreage."
"This
is not surprising that there is such widespread adoption of
sustainable practices such as energy efficiency because the
wine industry is dominated by families and businesses committed
to the land and their local communities," said President
of the California Association of Winegrape Growers Karen Ross.
"PG&E
applauds California wineries for their commitment to sustainability
and energy efficiency programs that are producing substantial
savings for the wineries," said Janice Berman, PG&E
senior director of customer energy efficiency, solar, and product
development. "Whether conducting energy audits or installing
solar projects, California wineries are demonstrating real leadership
in the fight against global climate change."
Since the CSWA and PG&E partnership began, the number of
solar projects in the wine industry has also grown dramatically,
with 53 grid-tied installations completed that have received
$14.6 million of incentives from PG&E, and another 49 projects
currently in the works.
A
highlight of the CSWA Earth Day celebration was PG&E's presentation
of $968,137 in rebates to LangeTwins Winery for its most recent
energy efficiency and solar projects. The winery partnered with
PG&E's Savings by Design program, which included features
such as a gravity flow design for movement of the grapes, high-efficiency
lighting, water chiller and water boiler, insulated wine tanks,
variable frequency drives on air compressors and well pumps,
and an efficient wastewater treatment system.
"Our
family has been farming for generations and we want to pass
on a sustainable business to the next generation," said
Randy Lange of LangeTwins Winery. "Switching to renewable
energies and operating with the environment in mind is part
of the equation."
LangeTwins
Winery participates in the statewide CSWA Sustainable Winegrowing
Program as well as the regional Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing,
sponsored by the Lodi Winegrape Commission. Regional wine associations
have been leaders in the sustainability trend and worked with
CSWA in gaining wide adoption of these practices.
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
About
California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
CSWA is a San Francisco-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
incorporated in 2003 created by Wine Institute and the California
Association of Winegrape Growers to promote and implement the
sustainable winegrowing program. CSWA encourages adoption of
vineyard and winery practices that are sensitive to the environment,
responsive to the needs and interests of society-at-large, and
economically feasible to implement and maintain. Visit: www.sustainablewinegrowing.org.
About
Wine Institute
Established in 1934, the Wine Institute is the public policy
advocacy group of 1,100 California wineries and affiliated businesses
that initiate and advocate state, federal and international
public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible
production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. The membership
represents 85 percent of U.S. production and 90 percent of U.S.
wine exports. See: www.wineinstitute.org.
About
The California Association of Winegrape Growers
Established in 1974, the California Association of Winegrape
Growers represents the growers of more than 50 percent of the
gross grape tonnage crushed for wine and concentrate in California.
The statewide association is an advocate for farmers, providing
leadership on public policies, research and education programs,
sustainable farming practices and trade policy to enhance the
California winegrape growing business and communities. Visit
www.cawg.org.
About
Lodi Winegrape Commission
Established in 1991, the Lodi Winegrape Commission conducts
programs in marketing, grower education and viticultural research.
The Commission represents almost 800 winegrowers farming nearly
80,000 acres of winegrapes and works to raise the awareness
of Lodi and enhance the recognition of the Lodi-Woodbridge wine
region. See: www.lodiwine.com.
About
Pacific, Gas & Electric Company
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation
(NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric
utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with
20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's
cleanest energy to 15 million people in northern and central
California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/about/.
About
LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards
As a fifth generation family farm, LangeTwins is dedicated to
improving its techniques in the vineyard and winery to make
the best and most sustainable wines possible. In 2005 after
generations of focusing on growing quality winegrapes, LangeTwins
expanded the farm to include a state-of-the-art winery in Acampo.
The winery produces its own LangeTwins label and also offers
custom-crush services. See: www.langetwins.com.