Trinchero Family Estates, the second-largest family-owned winery and largest winery in Napa Valley, proudly announces its partnership with REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, further solidifying its commitment to environmental stewardship. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as Trinchero Family Estates celebrates its 75th year in Napa Valley, reinforcing its dedication to sustainability for the next generation.
Trinchero Family Estates (TFE) is making a significant investment in a series of sustainability projects, spanning across four properties and exemplifying its proactive approach to reducing its carbon footprint. These projects – scheduled for completion by the end of this year – will include solar installations at four California wineries: Westside winery in Lodi, Main Street winery in St. Helena, Trinchero Central Coast winery in Paso Robles, and Green Island Road winery in American Canyon. Together, annual solar production across the four sites will reach 11.5 million kWh.
Green Island Road winery's solar installation is the first to be completed and receive permission to operate; the American Canyon winery is now running on solar. With a system size of 1,244 kWdc, it features a total of 3,168 solar panels and 18 50/60kW inverters that will generate more than 2 million kWh annually. REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions has meticulously designed the systems at Green Island Road and TFE's other properties to accommodate evolution and expansion; Main Street winery's future-minded systems will come online in December with battery storage and microgrid capabilities.
These solar installations across TFE properties are projected to achieve significant solar offset percentages, contributing to a greener energy mix. For example, the anticipated solar offset at the Green Island Road site is expected to reach 95 percent, resulting in a substantial reduction in the winery's reliance on traditional energy sources. When the outputs of all of its fuel cells and solar panels are added up, TFE will be self-generating 25.4 million kWh annually starting in 2024.
Kent Mann, vice president of operations for Trinchero Family Estates, emphasizes the company's pioneering efforts in energy efficiency and generation. "At Trinchero Family Estates, we believe in tangible results when it comes to sustainability. Our focus has always been on meaningful and measurable kWh production and the positive impact of clean energy on the environment. Our solar and fuel cell systems demonstrate our commitment to both environmental responsibility and a sustainable future," said Mann.
This partnership with REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions further enhances TFE's sustainable practices, following a long history of environmental initiatives. As early as 2008, TFE installed rooftop solar arrays at Westside winery in Lodi, setting an industry precedent for installing solar on new construction. In 2010, TFE collaborated with Bloom Energy to install fuel cell systems at Main Street winery, making it the first in the wine industry to embrace this innovative technology. Each of TFE's Napa properties and vineyards have also been running on 100 percent MCE-supplied renewable electricity since 2017.
Lawrence Denney, managing director for REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. "We're pleased to contribute to Trinchero Family Estates' continued legacy of sustainability. We've installed these solar rooftops with the future in mind, so the systems can continue to grow with TFE's business and ultimately provide energy storage flexibility," said Denney.
TFE's collaboration with Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions not only reinforces its commitment to sustainability but also reflects its dedication to California's winegrowing regions and communities – TFE's home since 1948. With more than 9,000 acres of vineyards throughout Napa Valley, Sonoma, Lake, Amador, and Santa Barbara Counties, and vast Central Coast and inland valleys, TFE prioritizes environmental responsibility. Sustainable farming practices, such as utilizing electric tractors and irrigation pumps, grazing sheep to reduce CO2 emissions, supporting bee populations for pollination, and repurposing grape waste into compost, demonstrate TFE's holistic approach to sustainability.
The winery has set ambitious sustainability goals, including reducing its water footprint, achieving a high waste diversion rate, and reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. By 2025, TFE aims to achieve less than 3.2 gallons of production water used per gallon of wine made and a waste diversion rate greater than 99 percent. Its long-term vision includes a 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and ultimately reaching net-zero emissions by 2045.
TFE's partnership with REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions aligns with its ongoing commitment to sustainable practices and environmental responsibility. Together, they are leading the way in creating a more sustainable and vibrant future for the wine industry and beyond.
