Press Releases
Stoller Vineyards Unveils Environmentally-Friendly Winery Operation
DAYTON | OR
Stoller Vineyards, producer of world-class artisanal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, is pleased to announce the opening of the first and only winemaking facility in Oregon to be 100%
LEED-certified at the gold level. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System(R) is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.
Stoller's state of the art winery, located in the Willamette Valley town of Dayton, serves as an example of what can be accomplished when environmental consciousness, visual aesthetic, and production functionality are partners in the design process.
Says owner Bill Stoller, "I was born on this property and spent much of my life here. The goal is to leave it better than we found it, something for our grandchildren to enjoy. We intend to maximize the quality of wine we produce while minimizing the facility's ecological footprint.
"Currently," he continues, "almost half of our electrical needs are being generated from solar panels. Our gravity-flow system results in a significant energy savings in the production process. We employed recycled construction materials throughout the building and catacombs built into the winery provide us with an eco-friendly space ideal for production and aging of wine.
"Rainwater runoff from the winery is collected in our pond. Wastewater is reused to irrigate a nearby pasture, and process solids (skins, stems, and seeds) are used by a local organic dairy to fertilize their pastures."
Cellars are cooled with nighttime air pulled through a thermal mass into the space by a fan at the winery's lowest point. Even in summer, the night air dips to 55 degrees, making it possible to maintain cellar temperature in a low-impact manner.
According to LEED certification consultant Nina Tallering of Green Building Services, "What stands out to me about the Stoller facility is that it was built for posterity. It says that green buildings are appropriate and achievable outside urban environments."
"Stoller Vineyards will be a showcase for high-performance,
energy-efficient, healthy wineries, and an inspiration for others," said Rick Fedrizzi, the President, CEO, and Founding Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Stoller Vineyards produces estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Oregon's Dundee Hills appellation. The Stoller wines are available at fine restaurants and retailers nationwide.
www.stollervineyards.com
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