Napa's Cuvaison Winery Goes Green

We at Condé Nast Traveler are always keen to recognize companies that help to sustain and revitalize the environment in which they do business. But when such a company makes delicious Napa Valley wine while reducing its environmental footprint, well that’s like Christmas, July 4th, and our birthday all rolled into one.

Cuvaison Estate Wines does exactly that. Its 400 acre estate in Carneros is certified Napa Green for numerous efforts toward sustainability. One of these is very visible: 1,428 solar panels that supply over 80% of the winery's electrical needs. More are being added to bring that number to 95%. Another is a partnership with Yemm & Hart, a recycling company that converts cork into self-sustaining products. Over 13 billion (that's right, billion!) natural cork wine stoppers are sold each year. And most simply go into landfills. Cuvaison and Yemm & Hart try to make a dent in this enormous amount by recycling corks for use as shoe soles, bulletin boards, packaging materials, and other items.

Like all wineries, Cuvaison uses a ton of water. But instead of simply letting it become runoff, all process water is recycled through a wastewater treatment system and re-employed as irrigation water on the vineyard.

This earth friendly culture has even spilled over to Cuvaison employees, who embrace a ride-sharing and bike-to-work program, which saved 17,000 miles on the road last year. Also, staffers receive CFL light bulbs for their home and $500 toward the purchase of a car—if it's a hybrid.

So the next time you're picking out a bottle of vino for that dinner party, consider directing your consumer dollars toward one that respects the land.